Community arts in schools: Effects on self-esteem and attainments in primary school children

Despite its role on the curriculum, art is typically not well resourced in Irish schools, and its influence on other areas of the curriculum is unknown. This study assesses the effect on self-esteem and attainments of a community arts project among pupils in a mixed primary school in Galway City. Results show that the self-esteem of the children in the project increased significantly and in line with other interventions specifically designed to target pupil self-esteem and that such projects and the time they require do not interfere with scholastic achievement. The results are discussed and areas for further research are suggested.