Creating Access Through the Arts: Clancourt’s Ongoing Partnership with The Ark
At Clancourt, we believe that the buildings we develop are only as strong as the communities that surround them. That’s why our partnership with The Ark, a leading cultural organisation dedicated to children, is one we’re particularly proud of.
Together, through the Ark Access for Schools programme, we’ve helped to open the doors to high-quality arts experiences for over 600 children and 65 teachers from five DEIS schools in our local community in Dublin. From theatre performances to visual arts workshops and bespoke in-school sessions, this programme is built on a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves access to the arts, regardless of their background.
This collaboration is more than sponsorship. It’s a shared commitment to equity, education, and cultural inclusion. What began with four schools has since grown to five, thanks to a responsive and evolving relationship between Clancourt and The Ark. In 2024 alone, Access schools benefited from 44 engagements across performances, CPD training for teachers, and interactive arts-based activities.
Importantly, this initiative has moved beyond attendance. We’re seeing schools actively integrating The Ark’s programming into their calendars, and teachers taking ownership of the opportunity, bringing arts learning back into their classrooms. It’s this kind of meaningful, lasting engagement that makes the partnership so effective.
One of the most innovative aspects of the programme is its flexibility. Rather than asking schools to adapt to a rigid schedule, The Ark works closely with educators to meet them where they are, be it through in-school performances, streamed content, or downloadable resources aligned with the curriculum. Free CPD opportunities also equip teachers with the tools to embed creativity into their day-to-day teaching.
This approach is helping to shift the narrative from one-off access to long-term impact. And that aligns closely with our values at Clancourt. As a company rooted in Dublin for over 60 years, our focus has always been on the long term, investing in places, people and partnerships that make a real difference.
We’re also proud that this work resonates within our own team. Internally, it’s a project that builds pride and purpose, reminding us why local impact matters.
The Ark Access for Schools programme demonstrates what’s possible when business and culture come together with a shared mission. It’s not just about access to the arts. It’s about creating the conditions where curiosity, confidence and connection can grow, in the classroom, on stage, and beyond.
Photography Credit: Marie Junker