Carson Awards

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The Carson Awards are an exciting opportunity for young people to express themselves creatively under the theme ‘What Integration Means to Me’.

The 2012/13 Carson Awards Programme is NOW OPEN to new applications! The closing date for applications to the Carson Bursary is Friday 23 November 2012 and completed projects for Bursary and Prize need to be received by the IEF by Friday 26 April 2013.

The Awards have two elements:

The Carson Bursaries

Open to Year 12, 13 and 14 students at integrated colleges and, if applicable, collaborative partners. Bursaries provide resources to carry out and complete a creative project under the theme ‘What Integration Means to Me’. Bursaries are awarded up to £1,000.

The Carson Prize

Open to all students of integrated primary and second level schools and, if applicable, collaborative partners. Completed creative projects, under the theme ‘What Integration Means to Me’, may be entered for The Carson Prize. For example, pupils at schools may wish to enter a poem, song or piece of artwork already in existence or which does not require any financial assistance. These entries will be judged under key stage categories and winners will receive £500 for their school along with a trophy. All those who take part will receive a certificate.

Creativity is the key and we hope to receive a wide range of entries reflecting a variety of mediums for example artwork, photography, collage, music, dance, stories, poems, sculpture, short films, comedy sketches, drama or any other medium of your choice – so go on, get creative!!

If you have a project you would like to discuss please do not hesitate to contact Paul Caskey on 028 9033 0031 or at paul@ief.org.uk

PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS

Carson Bursaries 2010/2011

There have been 10 bursaries awarded this year:

  1. Shahrzad Farahman (Ulidia IC)- Shahrzad completed a short film documenting her positive experience of moving to an integrated school.
  2. Mary Bower (Strangford IC) – Mary and some of her classmates wrote a short group drama piece called ‘Spot the Difference’ and performed it at several schools during Integrated Education Week. The production focussed on the challenges our differences can bring, as well as the dangers for society if we refuse to accept them.
  3. Nadine McLaughlin (Lagan College) – Nadine produced a short film on the importance on integration to her, comparing the different people that make up school community to the colours in a rainbow.
  4. Anna Barucha (Sperrin IC) – Anna completed a short film called ‘The Bridge of Hope’ exploring the positive impact integrated education can have on people from different backgrounds, enabling them to experience new cultures and traditions and learn to respect the values and beliefs of those different from them.
  5. Claire Hamill (New-Bridge IC) – Claire worked with classmates to devise a short group drama called ‘Delicates’ on the themes of identity, culture and fair trade. Pupils from different schools were encouraged to get involved, attending regular rehearsals and using their own experiences and abilities to feed into the shared nature of the project.
  6. Andrew Skillen (Shimna IC) – Andrew recorded a short film tackling the theme of integration in a fresh and different way. This animated piece demonstrated the problems with excluding people just because they are different.
  7. Vanessa Townsley (Ulidia IC) – Vanessa completed a light hearted film demonstrating the positive effect integration has had on her life. In particular there was a focus on her thoughts on experiences at school and how these will be of great benefit for the future.
  8. Andrew Wright (North Coast IC) – Andrew wrote a group drama piece called ‘Pick and Mix’, and sought to show that young people from different backgrounds could work together effectively on creative projects. This piece explored the impact of integrated education on the cast, in particular focussing on the importance of learning to understand and respect different cultures and traditions.
  9. Ronnie McQuillan (Hazlewood IC) – Ronnie produced a film called ‘Child’s Eye’ exploring integration and its effects from the point of view of a child. This piece highlighted the importance of learning from each other and gaining understanding of different cultures and traditions from around the world.
  10. Victoria Price (Parkhall IC) – Victoria worked together with another student from Crumlin IC to produce two pieces of art work which were put together to give an overall picture of diversity in our society.  They worked with local artist (and IEF supporter) Nicola Russell who specialises in oil paintings, and assisted in the development and completion of the project.