Mason Hayes & Curran backs children’s art initiative

Dublin firm Mason Hayes & Curran (MHC) has launched a new partnership with the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA).

The two-year sponsorship will see the firm support the gallery’s children’s art education programme RHA Kids and will also fund a special outreach programme with three local schools in Ringsend.

The RHA Kids programme includes a special series of in-house children’s art workshops by some of Ireland’s best known artists, which will take place on one Saturday a month during 2016.

It was officially launched at the gallery yesterday afternoon.

Natasha McKenna, head of MHC’s art committee, said: “We are delighted not only to continue and expand our work with local children and help them to engage with the artistic community from an early age, but also to encourage children of all ages to visit the RHA and develop their creative skills through the use of the ‘Art Cart’.

“Mason Hayes & Curran has been a longstanding supporter of the Arts and friend of the RHA. So, the sponsorship of this programme felt like a natural progression in the development of that relationship and an opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment not only to the Arts in Ireland but also to the artists of the future.

“Contemporary Art is a core part of Mason Hayes & Curran’s CSR programme, both collecting and sharing our passion for art with others. Indeed, this programme builds on our previous award-winning work with Temple Bar Gallery + Studios. It is particularly meaningful for us when we can work with our local community and the RHA to enhance our appreciation of this wonderful creative outlet.”

Patrick T. Murphy, director of the RHA, added: “This marvellous support by Mason Hayes & Curran means that we can re-instate an active, engaging and exciting Children’s Art Education Programme at the RHA. Their generosity means we can offer an even wider experience for families with children visiting the galleries.”