75th Anniversary Student Art Competition launched

• Central Bank launches National Art Competition for primary and secondary school students to commemorate its 75th anniversary
• Students asked to take inspiration from people or events from the past 75 years to submit a coin design
• Prizes in all categories across four regions –closing date 16th March

Students across the country are being encouraged to take part in a National Art Competition that’s just been launched by the Central Bank of Ireland to commemorate its 75th anniversary.

Part of the Central Bank’s role is to issue coin on behalf of the Minister for Finance   - and students of all ages are being asked to take on the role of coin designers for the Central Bank’s Art competition.

Primary and secondary school students are being challenged to come up with their own coin design, inspired by significant people or events from the past 75 years.

With a range of prizes to be won, the overall winners will be invited to a special event at the Central Bank’s headquarters in Dublin. Winning designs will be 3D printed and displayed in the Central Bank Visitor Centre.

Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland Sharon Donnery said: “We’re very proud to be commemorating our 75th anniversary this year and we’re looking forward to seeing what students come up with for this unique competition.

"The Central Bank mints the coins that we all use every day, as well as designing commemorative coins for collectors. This is an opportunity for young people to think about recent history and show us who or what, they think is important enough to feature on a coin. The winners will get to see their design printed in 3D and displayed here in our Visitor Centre.

"The age categories range from Junior Infants all the way up to Leaving Cert, so we hope students will enjoy the challenge and the opportunity to commemorate history in their own way, just as we are commemorating this milestone in our 75th year.”

The competition runs until Friday 16th of March. Regional winners will be chosen from each of the four age categories, with a total of 16 all-Ireland finalists from four regions.

Two overall national winners will be selected (one Primary and one Post-primary). Two national runners-up will also be chosen. Successful schools will be featured on the Central Bank’s website and social media channels.

Prizes for the Central Bank National Art Competition include vouchers of €100 each for Regional Winners, vouchers of €250 for National Runners-up with a €500 voucher for the National Winners, who will have their winning design printed in 3D and exhibited in the Central Bank Visitor Centre throughout the 75th year.