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Baboró International Arts Festival For Children

Baboró have published their report and findings from their pilot LEAP programme. LEAP is a community-building project and artist development programme for creative individuals from underrepresented, ethnically diverse communities and/or migrant backgrounds curious about creating work for young audiences.

This report is an account of the development and implementation of Baboró’s LEAP as a pilot programme between December 2020-April 2022. The report examines the context of LEAP’s creation, what worked about this pilot programme, what could be improved for the future, and what learnings LEAP offers that are relevant to wider Irish and international theatre for young audiences’ communities.

This report also situates Baboró’s LEAP within post-2000s Irish arts policy focused on interculturalism and/or diversity and the wider international landscape of politics, policy and social change in the theatre for young audiences sector and beyond that immediately influenced the creation and implementation of this programme.

For a short executive summary of this report, and their learnings from the pilot LEAP programme, download the document below.

Download the LEAP Learnings here

Read The Full Report

Download the complete LEAP Report here

Burrenbeo Trust

Application Deadline: 12th October

Burrenbeo Trust have announced the latest round of the National Heritage Keepers Programme which they launched with the help of Kinvara Tidy Towns and The Dolmen Centre, Kinvara. After working closely with 117 groups and schools over the past two years, the programme is now accepting expressions of interest for its highly anticipated third round. Burrenbeo Trust proudly partners with the Heritage Council in this transformative initiative.

The National Heritage Keepers Programme is a fantastic opportunity for schools and communities across Ireland. It empowers them to delve into their local built, natural, and cultural heritage and then provides funding to allow them to take action. This programme offers various learning formats, including in-person, online, and blended options, making it accessible to a wide range of participants.

In the previous year, 40 schools and communities participated in the programme, with the majority successfully completing local projects and actions. These actions included constructing ponds, developing heritage trails, hosting networking days, tree planting, creating booklets on local built heritage, and even organising historic photography exhibitions.

Mary Dillon, Heritage Keepers Co-ordinator, emphasised the programmes mission, stating, “Heritage Keepers aims to empower people to explore and discover their own local heritage, fostering pride, ownership, and ultimately responsibility towards both their community and environment. Through Heritage Keepers, schools and communities can play a huge part in protecting and promoting their local heritage and Place.

The programme consists of five engaging two-hour workshops, followed by dedicated support while completing the funded action. It opens for expressions of interest on the 14th September, with options to begin this autumn or in the New Year. The programme is open to senior classes in primary schools and will be scheduled during school hours.

Learn more about this opportunity at an online information session scheduled for Thursday, September 28th, at 7.30pm. Visit heritagekeepers.ie for additional details and to complete a brief Expression of Interest form.

 

The Ark

Date: Saturday 21 Oct at 10.30am – 12.30pm

In this CPD workshop for teachers, you will enjoy: Learning some of these new songs which are simple and fun to sing. It can be difficult to find songs in Irish in genres other than traditional; these songs are new and in a variety of music styles.

Join musician Ríona Sally Hartman in discovering music in the classroom anew in this morning CPD workshop for teachers presented through Irish and English. Ríona has created a new collection of original bilingual songs written specifically for use in primary school classrooms with accompanying class activities.

Exploring links to recordings and work-pages to accompany the songs that you can photocopy for use in the classroom. Trying out sample activities to cover all three areas of the music curriculum: listening and responding, performing and composing. Discovering songs for use outside music time, such an “attention grabber” in Irish (a very short call and response song to use when you want to get the class’s attention). Ríona will also bring some examples of other books and CDs that she finds useful in the classroom. There’ll be time to look at these and time for discussion and questions also.

Overall, this fun and inspiring workshop will build your confidence in both your Irish and your singing voice. It is suitable for all levels of experience and the resources shared will work for all primary classes.

Cost: €20 (€18 for ArkEd Members)

Book your ticket here: https://ark.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873639444

 

 

The Courthouse Gallery and Studios, Ennistymon

Date : 8th – 29th September

The Courthouse Gallery and Studios launched Keystone; new moving image work by Art School on 8th September. Commissioned by Clare Arts Office to celebrate twenty years of arts in education programming, Keystone was developed with selected artists Mitch Conlon and James Moran in collaboration with fifth year students from two schools in Co. Clare.

Taking the theme of the collective as its central point of departure, Keystone took shape as a series of workshops guided by artist Mitch Conlon and theatre maker and comedian James Moran working with the 5th year art students and teachers of Coláiste Muire, Ennis, and Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon, during the school year 2022–23. The project was curated by Jennie Guy, founder and director of Art School, alongside invited co-curator Fiona Gannon, and investigated ideas around the collective by exploring the places where teenagers go to hang out.

Through presentations, games, recording sessions and collaborative decision-making, the production of Keystone explored the atmospheres of specific hang-out spots visited by the students from both schools. Drawing on additional support from filmmaker and artist Emily McFarland and electronic music composer Liam McCartan (Son Zept), the students worked with sound and video to communicate the dynamics of these often peripheral places.

There was a private screening for students and other project partners in the Courthouse Gallery on the 8th September 2023 at 6PM and the work will be subsequently exhibited in the gallery space upstairs from the 8th through the 29th of September. The gallery opening hours are 12pm through 5pm.

To celebrate the launch of the project, a limited edition poster is being produced with award-winning design studio Distinctive Repetition to mark this screening event and will be gifted to each student collaborator involved in the project.

Keystone is supported by Clare Arts Office and the Arts Council.

The project was a recipient of the 2023 Arts in Education Documentation Award

Solstice Arts Centre

Solstice Arts Centre have a number of upcoming events and opportunities for teachers, artists and schools.

Opportunity; An introduction to the gallery for educators & artists

Date: 3rd October 2023 at 4pm

Solstice Gallery are offering teachers, lecturers, teaching artists, youth workers or community leaders an opportunity to learn more about the gallery and what it can offer your class or group.

Over a relaxed tea/coffee, you can discover how to use their gallery as a rich learning environment. Through the exploration of contemporary artists and their work, experience the Solstice Arts Centre’s  VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) tours and resources, discover their artist-led workshops created especially for schools and plan a visit for your students with their Learning & Engagement Coordinator. Embracing cross-curricular links, this rich environment for learning supports all students in primary, secondary and 3rd level.

Read more about the event here; https://solsticeartscentre.ie/event/an-introduction-to-our-gallery-for-educators-and-artists

School Gallery VTS Tours

Dates: Tuesdays – Fridays, various times available.

Exploring contemporary artworks in Solstice’s gallery spaces using VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies), this is an opportunity for pupils and teachers to investigate, analyse and reflect on multiple perspectives. With cross-curricular links, these sessions support pupils in primary and post-primary, placing them at the centre of the learning process. While visiting Solstice, Senior Cycle students will receive specific information and resources that embrace Content Area 3: Today’s World of the New Appreciating Art Visual Studies curriculum. Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an inquiry-based method of visual processing. Responding and expanding thoughts revealed within group engagement, VTS improves oral and visual literacy, problem solving and collaborative interactions among peers.

Price: free, booking essential, duration: 90mins

Read more about the event here; https://solsticeartscentre.ie/event/school-gallery-tours-primary-and-secondary

 

Sensory Connections

Dates: Wed 6, 13 Sept/4, 11, 18, 25 Oct,  8/ 15 Nov/ 6, 13 Dec.

These relaxed gallery tours and short workshops designed for small groups with additional needs and their teacher/carers follow a slow pace of engagement. Tailored to individual needs participants can engage in a multi-disciplinary, sensory activity that connects to an artwork on display. All levels of capability are welcome. The gallery will be closed during your visit and guidance from teachers and carers will be discussed prior to the session.

Read more about the event here: https://solsticeartscentre.ie/event/sensory-connections-1

For all queries and bookings email Deirdre: deirdre.rogers@solsticeartscentre.ie

 

Our Voices

During 2023 I took part in the Keystone art project. Once a week, Mitch and James, two successful artists, came to our school for a discussion, which later became activities and progress on the actual project. For the first few weeks we all got to know each other by chatting and discussing our favourite art forms. Something that stood out for me during these chats was our discussion of collaboration and what it meant to us. We all got to say what we thought, making the classroom environment very collaborative. We discussed whether people should have different roles within the project. I loved having these discussions and getting to know the artists, as it made the project a lot easier to work on.

Our first task was to write about somewhere special to us. I chose Lahinch as it is where I’m from and where I have spent many happy memories with my friends. We all shared our work with the class which gave us insight into our favourite places around the local area. Our second task was to record audio from somewhere in our area or community. I recorded the sounds of waves crashing on the beach as it is a sound that relaxes me, and I associate it with fond memories. We shared our sound recordings in class. After more discussion, where we looked for common interests in our chosen locations and recordings, we decided on what other footage we might need for our film. We all went to Lahinch with a film crew and equipment to record. We took film footage of the rocks, sand etc. We all had a go at filming and holding the recording equipment. This was a really fun day as we finally got to see a vision for what the finished project would become. 

The next week in the classroom we received our first draft for the audio of our short film. It included all the sounds that we hand recorded earlier in the year as well as nostalgic music. The artists explained that our footage would be laid down after the soundtrack.

A few weeks later, we finally got to see our first draft of the whole film. Each scene was numbered. We got to say what we liked and didn’t like, by taking notes on each scene. It was such a great feeling to finally see what we had been working on for so long. Our feedback was sent back to the artists and videographer, where they would edit and tweak the footage to align with what our class wanted. 

Participating in this project was such a great experience.  We got to be part of a huge collaboration where all student voices were heard. It felt great knowing that my own ideas would impact the project. I’m grateful for this opportunity, as I got to learn more about collaborative artwork which is something I would love to continue exploring. Thanks to Jennie, Mitch, James, Fiona and everyone involved for this fantastic opportunity.  



Arts in Education Portal

Deadline: Friday 15 September 2023

Artists, teachers, academics and arts education professionals….Do you want to be part of the eighth annual National Arts in Education Portal Day?

The National Arts in Education Portal Day will take place at Mary Immaculate College on Saturday, 11 November 2023 in partnership with the Department of Arts Education & Physical Education. The event aims to bring together members of the arts in education and creative practice community from all across Ireland, to share, learn, talk, network, get inspired and continue interrogating best practice in the field.

The Arts in Education Portal Editorial Committee invites proposals from organisations or individuals who want to give dynamic and inspiring presentations or workshops that can offer sharing of skills, practical approaches, new insights and critical thinking across the field, from a range of perspectives.

This year, the Portal Day will continue the special focus of ‘Seldom Heard Voices’. The Committee particularly want to profile projects this year that reflect diversity and inclusion across school communities and represent all children.

Do you have a workshop or presentation that you would like to be included in the programme for this day? If so, please send us your proposal.

The deadline for submission of proposals is 5pm Friday 15th September 2023.

Proposals should be submitted via Google Forms, click here to access the form.

Creative Schools

Deadline: 31st August 2023

Creative Schools have launched a call out for Teacher Creative Associates.  Scoileanna Ildánacha/Creative Schools is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme to enable the creative potential of every child. Creative Schools is led by the Arts Council in partnership with the Department of Education.

It is expected that the Creative Associate will work in partnership with up to one school to develop expertise and approaches that will develop and sustain arts and creative practices in their schools.  Creative Associates will draw on the range of opportunities within the school and wider community to stimulate and support creative practices as part of the school’s plan.

Creative Associates are educators with their own arts practice and a deep understanding of creativity and its potential to transform the lives of children and young people. They are dynamic agents for change uniquely placed to form sustainable partnerships between teachers, school staff, learners and other partners.

They are original thinkers who will match the needs of schools to creative opportunities in their locality. They can identify potential areas for improvement and will inspire, energise and drive schools forward in addressing these. Through this pioneering initiative, Creative Associates will have the chance to shape the place of the arts and creativity in Irish schools.

It is expected that up to 10 to 15 Teacher Creative Associates will be engaged to deliver services. Each associate will be partnered with one school within one the following regions:

  • Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo
  • Mayo, Roscommon, Galway
  • Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath
  • Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wicklow
  • Dublin
  • Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford
  • Cork, Kerry,
  • Clare, Tipperary, Limerick

Follow the link to apply: https://form.jotform.com/232194890105354

For more information please visit: https://www.artscouncil.ie/creative-associate-opportunities/

 

 

Baboró International Arts Festival

Date: Friday 13th to Sunday 22nd October 2023

Deadline for Schools Application: Friday 8th September 

Baboró share a first look at the highlights of their upcoming 27th annual festival.

You’ll find an enchanting new show from beloved Irish companies Fidget Feet and Ceol Connected alongside world-class theatre for older children by renowned Australian company Slingsby. Also from Australia, an engaging visual art exhibition will invite Galway families to create and view their own photographic portraits in Galway Arts Centre.

“As we finalise plans for Baboró 2023, I am delighted to unveil three stunning festival highlights featuring aerial dance, theatre, live music and portrait photography – two of which come from as far away as Australia! The full programme of work from Belgium, England, Spain, The Netherlands, Australia and Ireland will be revealed in a few weeks,” said Aislinn Ó hEocha, Executive Artistic Director.

The full programme will include visual arts, music, dance, theatre, literature, creative workshops and adult events, as well as many more performances for all ages. The programme will be announced on Tuesday 5 September.

Schools

All schools and group bookings via the Online Booking Request form, available below from Monday 21 August. https://www.baboro.ie/schools/schools

Contact the Schools Box Office on schools@baboro.ie or 091 532 985.

See more on the festival here : https://www.baboro.ie/news-events/2023-sneak-peek

Source Magazine

Date: Ongoing

Source Magazine has created a free online learning resource about photography, designed for the Senior Cycle. Its three interlinked strands of research, creativity and response aim to provide a context for students to develop critical and productive skills in photography.

They are written by Jesse Alexander, an experienced educationist in photography and contributor to Source. Each includes group discussion topics and suggested activities to help grasp their significance. They are illustrated with the work of some of the most celebrated photographers.

Teachers can email research@source.ie to obtain a free digital subscription to Source, which includes access to the digital archive of the last 47 issues.

For more information please visit: https://www.source.ie/learning/index.html

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR)

Deadline for applications: 16th August 2023 at 12pm

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, in partnership with Blackrock Education Centre, is looking for four experienced artists/creative practitioners to work with children and teachers in the classroom setting. They are also seeking two emerging artists/creative practitioners to join the programme. Applications are open to practitioners who work in any art form.  The programme runs from October 2023 to May 2024.

The purpose of the programme is to partner a Creative Practitioner with a primary school class and teacher. They will explore creativity in the classroom together. A Creative Practitioner is a professional artist/facilitator with an art form background, for example; a dancer, a visual artist, a writer, or a musician.

  • The fees are €60 per hour for facilitation; with an additional €500 payment for research and €250 for blogging about the programme. Payments will also be available for coming to three scheduled meetings with all the artists and teachers during each project. Five meetings with the teacher outside of contact hours with the class will be paid for, if these are required (these can be phone meetings or in person).
  • The two emerging creative practitioners will be expected to work with a mentor who will support and assist their development. It is envisioned that this will be four sessions, two in the classroom and two outside.

 To apply please email your application to mdavey@dlrcoco.ie with the subject line dlr Primary Arts

For further details please visit:www.dlrcoco.ie/sites/default/files/2023-07/dlr%20Primary%20Arts%20Programme%202023%20to%202024_0.pdf

 

Ballet Ireland

Dates: 3rd – 7th July 2023

Ballet Ireland invite primary school teachers, educational professionals and artists to sign up for their CPD course: Ballet Ireland Teachers Week: Dance In Primary Schools.  The course is approved by the Department of Education with 3 EPV days entitlement.

It takes place at DCU St. Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra, in association with the School of Arts Education and Movement, DCU, 3rd-7th July 2023. The course provides participants with a secure understanding of how to teach dance, using simple, clear methods, easy steps and straightforward dance vocabulary.

Teachers are introduced to the fundamental aspects of dance education, including:

The course presents an interdisciplinary approach to teaching dance, and explores the potential for integrated curricular learning. Each day comprises a gentle Pilates-based warm-up, demonstration/lecture workshops and timetabled periods of peer and self-assessment, discussion, and reflection.

The programme employs specialists in several complementary areas, providing workshops in dance, anatomy, music and mime. Participants are supported with comprehensive course notes and access to online video resources and dedicated musical content.

Optional follow up days are held during mid-term breaks in autumn and spring (at DanceHouse, Dublin) and ongoing support is available through closed social media groups.

The week will be led by Stephen Brennan, Education Officer at Ballet Ireland, supported by Hayley Cunningham, former Ballet Ireland dancer, Stott Pilates instructor, qualified ballet teacher and a member of the Ballet Ireland educational team.

Focused workshops will be led by Nolwenn Collett, composer and musician trained at the Paris Conservatoire, and specialist in dance accompaniment, and Deirdre McKenna, a Musculoskeletal & Dance Physiotherapist specialising in sports and dance training and injury prevention.

Cost of the course: €125

For more information and to register for the course please visit: https://www.balletireland.ie/join-in/teachers-week/

MTU Crawford College of Art and Design

Deadline: Open for the summer.

The Certificate in Arts and Wellbeing (Level 9, 20 credits) offers an introduction to key concepts in models of Wellbeing, with a focus on the arts. The course gives participants opportunities to explore arts and wellbeing activities in a personal and group dimension, supported by a reflective process.

This course will benefit teachers or artists looking to broaden the scope of their practice. The aim of the course is to equip participants with practical approaches to Arts and Wellbeing, which can be applied in a range of contexts.

Through a series of experiential workshops, participants will be offered the opportunity to explore practical ways of developing Arts based Wellbeing programmes. Through a series of lectures and guest speakers, participants will critically engage with a range of concepts and theories related to Arts in Health and Wellbeing.

The course duration is one academic year, part-time, one day twice a month in person, one evening online every second week. The fee for the course is €1700.

For enquiries, contact: Avril O’Brien, Department of Arts in Health and Education. Email: avril.obrien@mtu.ie

Apply here: https://www.mtu.ie/courses/craarwe9/

 

Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre

DATE: 3rd June – 1st July 2023

Four primary schools from across West Cork came together to participate in Bright Lines – Uillinn’s Spring education programme for primary schools. Bright Lines invited students to stretch how they see and interpret the world around them and weave together new stories.

The programme consisted of a tour and workshop at Uillinn with Public Engagement Artist Kate McElroy viewing the work of Sérgio Leitao ‘The Fallout’ which was then followed by visits in the students’ classrooms to develop their own collaborative collages exploring creativity and storytelling. Bright Lines invited students to be creative with their responses blending items from their everyday life with their imagination. 

Altogether 100 students from 1st – 6th class worked on Bright lines. An exhibition of their work is currently on view until 1st July 2023.

Uillinn wish to thank students from Dromore NS, Scoil Mhuire NS, Schull, Scoil na mbuachaillí, Clonakilty and Gaelscoil Dr. Uí Shúilleabháin, Skibbereen for their excellent creative work and the teachers for taking part in the programme.

On Saturday 10 June between 10 AM – 1PM, children and young people are invited to take part in a drop in art activity at the centre where they too can add their artistic contributions to Bright Lines. This collaborative drawing art activity is part of the celebration of Crinniú na nÓg – A day of free creativity for children and young people.

To read more please visit: https://www.westcorkartscentre.com/schools-archive

A Coláiste Muire Collective

I was instantly intrigued by the idea and inspiration behind the Keystone project. At its essence art should challenge our perceptions and viewpoints, provoke thought and discussion. By getting the students to focus on the local, and the everyday, they were challenged to reconsider their traditional concepts of what is worthy to be art. Moments in their own lives were investigated especially those centred around places they frequented around the town; their hang out spots.  

These “spots”, these centres of interactions and events, often located in places unintended for that purpose; private places within shared spaces, offer teenagers a third space away from the restrictions and rules of home and school. A separate social dynamic for freedoms of expression and connectivity. Nevertheless, these places are normally frowned upon, considered loitering spots, adults tell youths to move on, to stop wasting time. The very idea that the artists wanted students to celebrate these places challenged their preconceptions of the value of these spots and in turn inspired further exploration. 

The explorations brought us down a rabbit hole of new experiences where Mitch and James introduced the group to artistic influences such as the sound art of Mary Anne Amacher, and a documentary about protestors in Curraghinalt made by Emily MacFarland. Each piece inspired very much by the space they were captured in; the physical place and landscape told the story or was the story. This encouraged the students to go out and collect and gather content to tell theirs. They used sound recording, photography, written word and film. A multi-sensual catalogue of data was being built that would act as the primary source of a final realisation.

Our collective expanded further when the expertise of sound producer Liam McCartan and filmmaker Emily MacFarland were brought in to help build our content. Their choices, influenced by written reflections made by students, an interactive zoom call and on-site video shoot where students made creative inputs into all decision making. The experience of observing the layering and manipulation of individual sounds to produce a whole composition, along with the opportunity to use professional video production equipment was something I feel the students really enjoyed.

Seeing how, as the project developed, the students’ immersion within the project increased was something that was very enjoyable for me. Evident in their reflections their initial writings were basic literal descriptions of the sessions, but as the project developed and the students allowed themselves to become more absorbed, their writings became more conceptual considerations. They contemplated how themes could be communicated within the content; a swinging zipline rope from the playground could suggest isolation, a grove of trees in the fair green symbolised privacy in a public space. Their thoughts were now of symbolism and metaphor, associations were being sought outside of their literal meaning. This I believe was one of the greatest successes of the project; the opening of the student’s minds and realisation that all the resources they need to create and solve are often right there in front of them, they just need to give themselves time to look and observe.

FÍS Film Awards

Deadline: 30th June 2023 at 5pm

FÍS have launched an open invitation to all Dept. of Education designated Irish primary schools to enter their films into the annual national FÍS Film Awards competition.  There is no need to register in advance.  To enter, primary schools across the country are asked to create an (up to) five-minute film on a subject of their choice.

Judging Criteria Highlights:

Shortlisted schools must be available to attend the FÍS Film Awards Ceremony, which takes place in the Helix Theatre, DCU Dublin.  It is a large-scale national event with over 900 people in attendance, filmed and broadcast by students and staff from the National Film School, at the Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT).  The awards ceremony is live- streamed via their website. Shortlisted schools must be available to attend the ceremony.

Full details of Rules & Guidelines and Judging Criteria are available at https://fisfilmproject.ie/competition/rules/  and https://fisfilmproject.ie/competition/judging_criteria/

You can submit your entry via https://fisfilmproject.ie/competition

 

Creativity and Change at MTU

Application Deadline: 22nd June 2023

Creativity & Change is accepting applications for their 2023-2024 course, which begins in September. This part-time, 20 credit certificate at level 9 offers participants the opportunity to explore Global Citizenship Education, immersing themselves in arts-based practices that connect their heads, hearts and hands, to learn about and take action for global justice, while developing skills to nurture fellow changemakers.

What you can expect from the programme:

Supported by Irish Aid, Department of Justice, the course will be of interest to artists, activists, youth & community educators, volunteers and all those who are interested in collaboration and the transformative power of art. They especially welcome applicants from minority groups facing barriers to accessing education, who can apply to avail of fully funded places under their Amplifying Voices scheme.

Duration: One weekend per month from September 2023 to May 2024

Location: Munster Technological University (MTU) Crawford College of Art and Design

Course fee: €680 (subsidised by funding from Irish Aid)

For further information and to apply visit: https://www.cit.ie/course/CRACRCH9

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children

Baboró has announced the launch of their Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 highlighting their vision for the future, and their ambitions for the next five years.

“We are committed to making our festival and programmes more equitable. Baboró is building on our work in the community by bringing festival shows and workshops into schools throughout the city and county, touring to rural schools and community libraries, and unearthing new ways of reaching audiences that cannot reach us. We work directly with teachers and schools year-round on innovative arts in education projects in Galway city and county. We are building our community of families, schools, artists and local organisations so that everyone feels that they can belong at Baboró. We collaborate with our Children’s Panel to ensure the voice of the child is included in our work”Barboró

Baboró’s Strategic Goals:

Every child is valued and welcome at Baboró. Baboró is working towards removing barriers facing children and artists and is committed to creating programmes where everyone feels welcomed, feels heard and is represented in their community. They commit to reflecting the diverse, multicultural Ireland of today in our artistic programmes.

Goal One:
Their annual Festival continues to be Baboró’s beating heart – a celebration of all their work and a gathering place for their community.

Goal Two:
Children in all their diversity and brilliance will be at the centre of their programmes and activities.

Goal Three:
Artists will be supported to make exciting, innovative work for children and young people.

Goal Four:
The environmental and biodiversity crisis will be reflected in the way they work and the stories they tell.

Goal Five:
Invest in their staff team and build a resilient organisation that reflects the breadth and quality of their work.

For further information visit www.baboro.ie or to read the full strategy go to www.baboro.ie/content/files/Baboro-2023-2027-Strategy.pdf

 

 

 

 

The Ark

Date: 14th – 18th August 2023

Join artist Jole Bortoli at The Ark for this hugely popular hands-on, creative course focusing on a visual arts approach to exploring narrative, literacy & other subjects.

The aim of the course is to enable participants to start the new school year with an enhanced toolbox of skills and knowledge, in order to effectively deliver the visual arts curriculum in the classroom. Participants will be engaged ‘hands-on’ throughout this course so learning will be through doing. Working in teams and individually, you will cover a range of curriculum strands including drawing, painting, print, 3D construction, fabric, and fibre.

A strong emphasis will be on building skills and confidence. The group will also explore how visual art can be used to engage with aspects of the English, SPHE, History and Maths curriculum, as well as to promote visual literacy approaches. School self-evaluation exercises will be incorporated as an integral part of the course. Time will also be given for individual reflection and learning and group discussion.

This course will appeal to teachers of all levels of experience and will be facilitated by the visual arts and education specialist and founder of Art to Heart, Jole Bortoli. This is a continuing professional development opportunity not to be missed!

TICKETS

€100/€90 (For ArkEd Members)

DURATION

Five day course – teachers must commit to all five days.

This is a five-day Department of Education EPV-approved summer course for teachers.

Suitable for all levels of experience.

Book your tickets here: https://ark.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows

Arts in Junior Cycle

Dates: Various

Arts in Junior Cycle have an extensive range of elective courses available to book for post-primary School teachers. Please see a selection of the course available below.

Lights, Camera, Action! A film production workshop

Date: Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th and Friday 9th June

Times:  10.30am – 4pm 

Location: Kilkenny Education Centre

This Arts in Junior Cycle workshop with Young Irish Film Makers (YIFM) in Kilkenny Education Centre will provide participants with an opportunity to:

This in-person workshop is open to junior cycle teachers of all subjects and disciplines.  

Figurative Oil Painting workshop

Dates: Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th June

Times: 10.30am – 3.30pm

Location: Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts (RHA), Dublin

This Arts in Junior Cycle workshop with visual artist Blaise Smith in the RHA will provide participants with an opportunity to:

Open to junior cycle teachers of all subject disciplines.

Do Your Own Thing! A workshop to explore the creative process

Dates: Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd June

Time: 10.30am – 4.00pm

Location: Irish Museum of Modern Art

Arts in Junior Cycle in partnership with visual artist threadstories and writer and poet Colm Keegan offer a two-day workshop in The Irish Museum of Modern Art.

In this hands-on and practical workshop, participants will:

 

Visit the link below for full details and to register  www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Ireland Programme

Date: 10th June 2023

On the 11th May at Mud Island Community Garden, Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, announced details of Cruinniú na nÓg 2023, a day of free creative activity for young people.

This year Cruinniú na nÓg will be on 10th June 2023 and will feature more than 500 free creative activities for children and young people throughout the country. Cruinniú na nÓg 2023 is a collaboration between, the Creative Ireland Programme, local authorities and RTÉ and is the only event of its kind in the world.

Announcing Cruinniú na nÓg 2023, Minister Martin said:

“Every year Cruinniú na nÓg becomes more firmly embedded into the lives of young people all over Ireland. There’s a huge programme of free creative activities for 10th June that will really stretch the imaginative muscles of all young people. Cruinniú na nÓg 2023 is a wonderful opportunity for the young people of Ireland to show off a little, try a new creative activity, make new friends and connect with their communities. Every event is free.”

The Creative Ireland Programme and its strategic partners have developed a number of creative projects, all planned to go live on Saturday 10th June 2023. These include:

Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network (ISACS) will host open days for young people who want to try their hand at circus skills and street spectacle at their dedicated venues in Cloughjordan, Cork, Dublin and Galway. For those that can’t be there on the day, there will be a full range of online tutorials available.

Rhyme Island – This year Creative Ireland is teaming up with The Kabin Studio to get every young person in Ireland rapping. In preparation the Rhyme Island team have been travelling the length and breadth of the country holding a series of online and in-person workshops which will culminate in a massive day of rap at 17th Century Elizabeth Fort in Cork.

This is Art 2023 – Creative Ireland and RTÉ’s wonderful art competition for young people has returned, and the winning entries will be announced on 10th June 2023 along with a national on-line digital gallery of all entries.

TG4 with support from the Gaeltacht division of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media will support ‘Our World’/ ‘Mo Dhomhan’ several Cruinniú na nÓg projects groups which will include sand art projects.

Cruinniú na nÓg 2023 Ambassadors

This year, Creative Ireland have asked five wonderful young people to represent Cruinniú na nOg 2023 to inspire others with their creative energy and skills.

Caterina Chiu Paone (8) Last year Caterina triumphed in This is Art with her cat collage. Not only does Caterina make art but she loves Irish dancing, playing the guitar, writing and singing her own songs.

Sibéal de Spáinn (8) loves swimming, making art and recording radio shows. She made her first radio show in 2022 on Raidió Rí-Rá. Making art makes her feel great and that she is helping the world.

Jamie (the King) Forde (17) has been rapping at Knocknaheeny’s The Kabin in Cork since he was 10. With his friend MC Tiny (Darren Stewart) Jamie recorded ‘ Yeah Boy’ which they have performed in all over Cork, at Dublin Castle and on The Late, Late Toy Show.

Jodie Byrne (14) is a member of the Dublin Circus Club which she joined in 2022. In a relatively short period of time she was walking on stilts in the St Patrick’s Day parade. For Cruinniú na nÓg this year she will be at the Dublin Circus Club learning to spin plates.

Archie Evans (15) has been involved with the Dublin Circus Club for over a year and he loves it! Once a week he joins his friends in the club to learn everything from stilt walking to trapeze to juggling. Through circus he has met other circus teens from all over the country.

Consistent with the aims of the Government’s Shared Island initiative to deepen beneficial cooperation and connections across the island of Ireland, Cruinniú na nÓg 2023 will be programmed on an all-island basis with cross-community events connecting children and young people from both sides of the border, including via our partners in Circus Explored and Rhyme Island. This action is an integral part of the Shared Island dimension to the Creative Ireland Programme which focuses on harnessing the power of culture and creativity to inspire connections between people, communities and places.

RTÉ is supporting Cruinniú na nÓg with a nationwide campaign on television, radio, online and digital.

For full events listings and further information go to: https://cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie/

 

Arts Council of Ireland

Application Deadline: Thursday 15 June 2023 at 5.30pm

Maximum Award: with €4,000

Applications are now open for the Creative Schools Initiative! All Department of Education-recognised primary and post-primary schools and Youthreach centres that have not already participated in a previous round of Creative Schools are eligible to apply.

Creative Schools supports primary and post-primary schools and Youthreach centres across Ireland to put arts and creativity at the heart of children’s and young people’s lives.

It supports schools/centres to provide opportunities for children and young people to build their artistic and creative skills, and to develop additional ways of working that reinforce the impact of creativity on their learning and wellbeing.

Schools and Youthreach centres that join the programme take part in a two-year guided journey to develop a Creative Schools Plan unique to their own school, and to put it into action.  Children and young people’s involvement in planning, decision-making and reflection is central to the journey.

Participating schools/centres will be provided with a package of supports that includes working with a Creative Associate, training and networking to support them to create their Creative School Plan, as well as seed funding to begin to implement their Plan. Successful schools will receive €4,000 to implement their plans over the school years 2023–24 and 2024–25.

Application guidelines 2023

The application guidelines are available  here.  All applications to the Arts Council are made through the Arts Council’s online services system. To access the application form and make an application, please set up an organisation account for your school or Youthreach centre on the Arts Council’s online services system  here.

Information clinics

Please join one of our online information clinics to find out more.

The Hunt Museum

Dates: Ongoing

Join The Hunt Museum for a range of options of tours and workshops in the museum, and online resources for learners of all ages including lesson plans, videos and activities.

Some highlights of the workshops include:

Primary:

Life in the Bronze Age

Duration: 60 minutes

This workshop encourages pupils to thematically explore the objects and practices of Ireland’s Bronze Age people. It enables them to investigate and use as evidence the Bronze Age collections on display in the Hunt Museum. The handling of replica prehistoric artefacts will provide additional opportunities for inquiry-led learning. Pupils also get to try out some simple prehistoric technologies. This workshop walks the students through the prehistoric timeline as they learn how technologies emerged and advanced from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age.

 

Animal Hunt Online Programme

Date: Watch video to your schedule 

This 20 minute video workshop introduces Primary School students to animal based collections at the Hunt Museum. Students learn how artists throughout history have depicted animals in their art, and why certain animals are important to different cultures. Students will be introduced to the online research tools that will help them complete the Animal Hunt 3D online activity.

Post-Primary

800 Years of Fashion Workshop

Duration: 60mins

€3.50 euro per student. Teachers go free! 

In this workshop, students will learn about clothing from eight different periods (between 1200 and 1920), and these societies. These resources, and objects in the permanent collection, will be used as historical evidence to better understand the evolution of fashion over time, and how these shifts in style relate to changes in society.

To book, email educationoffice@huntmuseum.com

To see all workshops and tours for schools visit: https://www.huntmuseum.com/schools/

Creative Schools

Date: 8th-12th May

Creative Schools have invited every school in Ireland (primary, post-primary, special education schools and Youthreach centres) to celebrate the arts and creativity from 8 – 12 May, 2023. The theme this year “Creativity Lives Here” encourages school communities to pause and reflect on where creativity is evident in their lives, in every class, in every school and in the experience of every student. The week is a time to focus on celebrating this creativity, perhaps adding to the experiences of students in the form of events or workshops and providing a platform to show how creative each school can be.

If your school is already in the Creative Schools initiative, this week is a great time to celebrate your journey so far!

Previous years’ Celebrations included Online Celebrations highlighting work from a selection of Creative Schools and Creative Clusters initiatives since 2018, as well as workshops, interviews and features across a wide range of different artists and arts and cultural organisations. They invite you to watch these videos with your students to learn about school communities across the initiative as well as their creative approaches to learning and artistic responses to Covid 19. Schools highlighted are a representation of the over 460 schools who had participated in the Creative Schools initiative since 2018.

Watch a video on Creative Schools Week 2021 Online Celebration: Episode 1 here: Creative Schools Week 2021 Online Celebration: Episode 1 – Primary

For FAQ’s about Creative Schools Weeks visit: https://www.artscouncil.ie/creative-schools/creative-schools-week-2023-faq/#faq1

The Ark: A Cultural Centre for Children

Dates: June, various

Inspired by Cartoon Saloon’s award winning animated movies The Secret of Kells, Songs of the Sea and WolfWalkers, this visual arts workshop invites Primary school classes from 1st to 6th to delve into the rich world of Irish folk tales.

During the workshop, each child will start by creating the setting for a personal narrative by painting the backdrop for this story, as background artists do in animation studios. They will then design a character of their own invention – perhaps a creature or animal they’d love to shape-shift into, to be in their skin and take on their abilities?

In keeping with folklore traditions, children will explore the magical and mythical world of Irish stories and legends, their characters, environments and possible artefacts to see what connections can be made with real historical events.

To fuel the children’s imagination, your class will start the session by visiting Cartoon Saloon’s WolfWalkers exhibition in The Ark gallery. This exhibition contains concept art, beautiful framed artworks and panels that illustrate WolfWalkers’ production stages and teamwork.

Dates: Wed 7 – Fri 9th, Tue 13th – Fri 16th & Tue 20th – Fri 23rd June

Times: 10.15am & 12.15pm

Cost: Schools: €6.50 (€5 Early Bird*). Teachers go free.

Suitable For: 1st – 6th Classes

For more information on the workshop and to book visit: https://ark.ie/events/view/schools-my-own-folktale

Creative Futures Academy

Date: Wednesday, 10th May 2023

Creative Futures Academy at IADT invites you to join their upcoming webinar on creative uses for immersive technology.

Are you looking to explore how immersive technologies can be used to enhance learning and creativity? Join their upcoming webinar, Immersive Technologies Use Cases for Learning and Creativity.

Learn about the potential of these technologies and how they can be applied in education and creative activities. Their panel of experts will be showcasing their work in utilising immersive technologies. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to gain insight into the latest trends and innovations in immersive tech! Register now for their webinar.

Book your place now via Eventbrite or by emailing iadt@creativefutures.ie

Find out more about the speakers here: https://creativefuturesacademy.ie/events/webinar-immersive-technologies-use-cases-for-learning-and-creativity/

Erasmus+

The Online eTwinning Schools Conference

Date: 24th-26th May 2023.

The Online eTwinning Schools Conference will take place from 24 to 26 May 2023. The first day of the conference (Wednesday 24 May) will be live streamed and open for anyone to join and engage with. No registration is needed.

The overall goal of the conference is to identify, highlight, share, promote, disseminate and further establish the practices of eTwinning Schools that focus on creativity and well-being.

During that first day, Arianna Sala of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) will present the keynote presentation “LifeComp: A European competence framework for better lives in our uncertain world”.  LifeComp is the European framework for the personal, social and learning to learn key competence.

Days 2 and 3 will be closed only to eTwinning registered participants.

For more information and to join the public livestream, visit here: https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/insights/news/get-ready-european-online-conference-etwinning-schools-igniting-creativity-nurturing 

Mayo Education Centre

Date: 30th May 2023

Mayo Education Centre invites teachers to a free arts session that will inspire them to experiment and be creative with a variety of materials to create both two and three dimensional artworks. Led by artist Jennifer Hickey “Making the Season Creative with Art” is a practical face to face session, which will encourage participants to explore art making processes using a variety of materials and will deliver an imaginative learning experience that teachers can bring back to the classroom.

Participants will work with a variety of materials including; clay, inks, paint, card and materials from nature.

It is aimed at teachers of all levels of experience and is suitable for teachers in junior and senior classes.

Learning outcomes

• Learn new and easy ways to incorporate natural materials into the classroom.

• Gain knowledge on contemporary artists who explore their environment and use natural materials in their work.

• Explore hands on craft processes that will promote wellbeing and encourage the classroom to respond, explore and interpret the season in a visual and creative way.

Date: 30th May, 7pm – 9pm

Fee: Free

To Book: https://mayoeducationcentre.ie/

Arts In Junior Cycle

Date: Wed 3 May 2023

Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Venue: Zoom

Arts in Junior Cycle are hosting a creative writing workshop for Teachers. Knights of the Borrowed Dark: Approaches to Story writing with award-winning author Dave Rudden.

Using his novel Knights of the Borrowed Dark – an indicative text for 1st year junior cycle English – Dave will share how he turns inspiration into a fully developed narrative. You will see the writing process from the inside and learn creative writing techniques you may wish to use in the classroom.

During this workshop participants will:

  • use the Knights of the Borrowed Dark as a starting point, learn how to, craft ideas into stories and develop sustainable writing practices
  • explore how to create and describe the characters and structure of a story
  • develop a plan to write a ‘draft zero’ of your own novel or short story
  • collaborate, share ideas, and reflect in a safe, supportive workshop space
  • experience practical and creative methodologies that can be used / put to use in professional classroom practice.

Spaces are limited. A waiting list will apply. Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie

 

 

Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF)

Application Deadline: 9 June 2023 – 6 pm

The Irish Architecture Foundation has opened a call for schools to participate in their TY Architects in Schools Programme 2023/24.

Now entering into its 11th annual cycle, this Transition Year programme is creative, collaborative and participatory, providing an introduction to architecture and the design process for young people. There is no cost for your school to participate (apart from providing some art materials). An architect will facilitate hands-on design workshops in your school.

Dates, times and workshop duration will be arranged directly between the designated teacher / TY coordinator and the assigned architect.

Workshops must take place between 1 September 2023 and 22 March 2024.

There are two options for participation:

Option A: Full Programme

30 schools can participate in the full programme (12 hours of workshops per school, with an architect / architectural graduate).

Option B: Introductory Programme

40 additional schools can avail of introductory workshops (1 x 3 hour workshop per school, with an architect / architectural graduate).

To apply and find out more visit: https://architecturefoundation.ie/news/architects-in-schools-open-call-for-schools-2023-24/

 

 

 

 

The Ark

Dates: Saturday 13 May 10.30am – 12.30pm

Tickets: €20 (€18 for ArkEd Members)

In this CPD workshop for primary teachers, textile artist and educator Gabi McGrath will introduce participants to the art of felting and explore ways to bring their learning into their classroom.

A designer, craft teacher, maker and curator, Gabi will introduce her textile practice to participants and share a selection of projects that she has undertaken with schools.

You will then have the opportunity to experiment with fibres in this hands-on workshop, learning simple felting techniques and uncovering the expressive possibilities of the material. Through both 2D and 3D construction, you will explore shape, tone, texture and form.

Over the course of this two-hour workshop, Gabi will help you develop skills, techniques and processes that can be integrated into your lesson plans and adapted for students of all ages.

To Book https://ark.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873635778

 

National Gallery of Ireland (NGI)

The National Gallery of Ireland have released their spring programme for schools. Some highlights include:

ONSITE:

School Tour: Collection highlights (free)

Term Time. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays at 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm

Explore treasures of the national collection through engaging discussions with National Gallery expert guides on this free school tour. Focusing on dialogue, questioning, and creativity, this free tour will embolden students to look, respond, and form opinions. The tour will be tailored to the age and level of your group and is available in Irish, English or ISL.

The school tours are free but booking is essential. Book your tour here

Sketching Tour (€35)

Term Time. Thursdays at 12.30pm

Take a deeper look at the national collection on this sketching tour with an artist from the NGI’s guide panel. Use sketching to observe and respond to details and techniques. Your guide will select some key artworks to look at in depth on this tour. The tour will be tailored to the age and level of your group and is available in English.

Booking is essential. Book your sketching tour online

 

ONLINE:

Gallery in the Classroom (free)

Term Time. Monday- Friday at 12pm.

Explore treasures of the national collection through engaging online discussions with one of their expert guides. Focusing on dialogue, questioning and creativity, the session will embolden students to look, respond and form opinions. The online session will be tailored to the age and level of your group and is available in Irish or English. You can choose from the following themes: Collection Highlights; Portraits; Irish Art; European Art.

Book an online Gallery in the Classroom session 

For more information on all on offer this spring at NGI please visit https://www.nationalgallery.ie/explore-and-learn/schools/schools-programme

Poetry Ireland – Day of Poetry 2023

Date: Thursday 27th April

Submission Deadline: 20th April 

Poetry Ireland is celebrating poetry in schools by offering this online collection of inspiring activities and ideas for teachers and children. Packed with poems and fun activities, this vibrant online resource encourages teachers, children and families nationwide to read, write, listen to, illustrate, perform, share – and above all enjoy
poetry.

https://www.poetryireland.ie/content/files/Poetry_Day_Resource-2023.pdf

The programme of events is now live on their website. This all-island celebration of poetry takes place on Thursday 27 April and the theme is ‘Message in a Bottle’.

They have more than 70 exciting events included in the programme encompassing Bangor, Belfast, Cork, Donegal, Drogheda, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Mayo, New York, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford, so far!

Submissions are still being taken up to Thursday 20th April. Register your Poetry event here: https://www.poetryireland.ie/poetry-day/join-in/registration

You can see the entire programme here https://www.poetryireland.ie/poetry-day/whats-on

Department of Education: BLAST and Creative Clusters

Deadlines:

BLAST: 19th May 2023

Creative Clusters: 12th May 2023

The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has invited primary and post-primary schools to apply for the arts in education initiative, Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers (BLAST) 2023 and Creative Clusters. 

 

BLAST – Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teaches

BLAST will be running in 2023 for the third time. The 2023 programme will enable 425 new arts in education residencies in schools over the course of the year.

The aim of BLAST is to provide pupils in schools all over the country, time and the space to work with a professional artist on creative, imaginative and fun projects.

For Applications in English and Irish, please visit: https://www.edcentretralee.ie/blast.html

The deadline for receipt of applications is 19th May 2023.

Watch the promotional video for the TAP+ and BLAST initiatives: https://vimeo.com/825074868

Creative Clusters 

Each Creative Cluster will receive grant funding of €3,000 per school over a two-year period to implement their project in the 2023–2025 school years (e.g. a cluster of 3 schools would receive €9,000 over two years while a cluster of 5 schools would receive €15,000 over two years). Clusters will receive 50% of the total grant funding in Year 1, with the second 50% being provided in Year 2.  In addition, but separate to the grant funding, all successful clusters are further supported with: A fully paid Creative Cluster Facilitator; paid Teacher Substitution to attend training and meetings; room hire, travel & subsistence.

For Applications in English and Irish please visit: https://www.edcentretralee.ie/creative-clusters.html

The deadline for receipt of applications is 12th May 2023.

For more information on both initiatives please visit: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/5e9e9-minister-foley-announces-call-for-applications-from-schools-for-blast-2023-and-creative-clusters-initiatives/

Watch the promotional video for theCreative Clusters initiative: https://vimeo.com/825072944

 

Cork City Council & Leitrim County Council

Deadline: Monday 10th April 

Cork City Council Arts Office and Leitrim County Arts Office invite artists with a special interest in arts practice with children and young people to participate in a FREE professional development opportunity.

Supported by The Arts Council Invitation to Collaboration Scheme and taking place throughout May and June, this exciting programme—Social Practice Toolkit: Children and Youth—is aimed at artists and arts workers who are keen to exchange knowledge and upskill in collaborative and participatory arts with children and young people.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Monday 10th April. Please contact sptoolkit2023@gmail.com with any queries.

For more information and to apply, visit:

http://www.leitrimcoco.ie/eng/community-culture/arts/grants-opportunities/social-practice-toolkit-children-youth/social-practice-toolkit-children-youth.html

The Abbey Theatre: Tartuffe – Text to Performance

Dates:  Various

Arts in Junior Cycle and the Abbey Theatre are delighted to present Tartuffe: Text to Performance. Open to teachers from all subject disciplines, Tartuffe: Text to Performance consists of an in-person workshop, a performance of Tartuffe and a follow-up online workshop.

In a new adaptation by Frank McGuinness, Molière’s 17th century classic has been updated to an Irish setting and will embrace the comedy’s humour and farce in which the villainous Tartuffe shocks and enthrals with his deceptive powers.

A key part of Tartuffe: Text to Performance includes attending a performance of the Abbey Theatre’s production of Tartuffe, directed by Abbey Theatre artistic director, Caitríona McLaughlin.

Tartuffe: Text to Performance offers opportunities to:

  •    explore how a play in performance communicates its message to an audience.
  •    collaborate, share ideas and reflect in a safe, supportive environment.
  •    experience practical and creative methodologies that may be used in professional classroom practice.

As Tartuffe is an Abbey Theatre touring production, Tartuffe: Text to Performance  is being they offered in Donegal and Cork.

Participants will register for ONE of these locations.

DONEGAL : 

Saturday 6th May 2023:

Workshop: 10.30am – 1:00pm, Perfomance: 2:30pm

 An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny

Monday 8th May 2023: 

Online Workshop: 6:00pm – 7:00pm

 

CORK : 

Saturday 13th May 2023:

Workshop 10.30am – 1:00pm

Cork Education Support Centre

Performance 2.30pm

Cork Opera House

Monday 15th May 2023:

Online Workshop: 6:00pm – 7:00pm

 

Spaces are limited to a maximum of 20 participants for each workshop venue. A waiting list will apply. Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie

CLOSING DATES FOR REGISTRATIONS: Friday 28 April at 4.30pm (Donegal) and Friday 5 May (Cork) or prior to these dates if the workshops have reached capacity.

The Ark

Dates: Thursday 18th May and Friday 19th May

An exciting new dance piece for children aged 4+ inspired by Aesop’s Fables, presented by The Ark, Dublin Dance Festival and Arts & Disability Ireland.

From acclaimed international choreographer, Marc Brew, The Race entwines three of Aesop’s Fables to create a fun, interactive and colourful world of animals, puppets, theatre and movement.

Cheer with the cast of animals as the Tortoise and the Hare set off for the finish line, join the Grasshopper in gazing with fascination as the Ants collect food for the winter ahead, and root for the little Mouse as she faces down the mighty Lion! Watch as their journeys unfold through beautiful movement and dance, and share in the lessons they learn along the way.

The Race will make its World Premiere as part of Dublin Dance Festival 2023. Presented by a cast of disabled and non-disabled dance artists, all performances have been created to offer an inclusive audience experience. The show is relaxed in nature and welcomes children who are neurodiverse.

School Day Performances
Previews – Thursday 18th May, 10.15am & 12.15pm and Friday 19th May, 10.15am

Fri 19 May, 12.15pm

Schools’ Tickets: €6.50 (€5 Early Bird** if booked by 21 April). Teachers go free.

Book your tickets here: https://ark.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873634148

Creative Ireland

Creative Ireland have released their 2022 progress report A Creative Future, highlighting their initiatives throughout the year, including progress made under the Creative Youth Plan. Published in December 2017, the aims of the Creative Youth Plan are to give every child practical access to tuition, experience and participation in art, music, drama and coding by 2022.

Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, was delighted to announce the project will be extended until 2027.

Under the project 185 new schools and Youthreach facilities joined the Creative Schools programme. This includes the addition of four schools in alternative settings which will receive enhanced supports: Oberstown Children Detention Campus School; Ballydowd High Support Special School; Crannog Nua Special School, Portrane; and St Canice’s Special School, Limerick.

Other highlights include :

To read the progress report in full see : https://report2022.creativeireland.gov.ie/

To read more about the first 5 years of Creative Youth, see https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/app/uploads/2022/08/Creative-Youth-Plan-2017-2022.pdf

The Arts Council’s Creative Associates

Deadline: 12 mid-day, Tuesday 18th April 2023

Creative Schools is delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for artists, creative practitioners and individuals working in organisations in the arts and cultural sector.

The Arts Council wish to engage between 100 and 120 Creative Associates to work in up to 400 schools across the Republic of Ireland. Creative Associates are artists or creative practitioners with a deep understanding of creativity and its potential to transform the lives of children and young people. They are key to the success of the Creative Schools initiative. Individuals or organisations that wish to nominate an individual may apply for this opportunity.

Full details on the services and how to apply are available https://www.artscouncil.ie/creative-associate-opportunities/

Applications must be completed and submitted by 12 mid-day on Tuesday 18 April 2023.

Webwise / PDST Technology in Education

Deadline: Friday, 21st April

The Safer Internet Day Awards are back and this year a special new category has been added for budding creatives.

NEW: Art Competition with special guest judge; Irish artist – Maser. Be in with a chance to have your work exhibited in a gallery! Simply design a poster under the Safer Internet Day theme Respect and Empathy Online.

Categories for Primary:

1st and 2nd Class | 3rd and 4th Class | 5th and 6th Class

Categories for Post-Primary:

1st and 2nd Year | Transition Year | 5th and 6th Year

How to submit your entry:

Post your entry to: Webwise / PDST Technology in Education, Innovation House DCU Alpha, Old Finglas Rd, Dublin 11, D11 KXN4

Include the following information: Name, school, teacher’s contact details, category you are entering, and a brief description of the poster.

For full details on the competition see https://www.webwise.ie/saferinternetday/competition/art-competition/

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children

Deadline: Midnight, Monday 10th April

Baboró are inviting applications from multidisciplinary artists with experience working with children for Creating Space, a two-year collaborative project with a Galway primary school that will begin this summer and conclude in 2025.

This is an opportunity for experienced multidisciplinary and performing artists who are passionate about the positive impact the creative arts can make on young lives. The selected artist will design and deliver a plan for creative classroom engagements and activities which will take place from autumn 2023 until spring 2025.

The deadline to apply is Monday 10 April.

To make an application, please visit: https://www.baboro.ie/news-events/creating-space-artist-open-call

If you would like to find out more about Creating Space, you can join Baboró for an online information session via Zoom on Tuesday 21 March at 3pm.  RSVP to receive the Zoom link here: https://forms.gle/aCZk1KuYQYW3STkF6

FÍS Film Awards 2023

Cappawhite National School in Tipperary have been crowned winners of ‘FÍS Film of the Year’ at the FÍS Film Awards 2023, which have taken place at The Helix, DCU, Dublin.

The movie, entitled ‘The Christmas Truce of 1914’ recounts the fabled ceasefire between British and German soldiers on the Western Front during World War I. It also scooped the Outstanding Cinematography prize. The FÍS Film Awards 2023 recognises the creative talents of primary school children across Ireland.

The Awards, hosted by RTE’s Sinead Kennedy, is a collaboration between the Institute of Art, Design and Technology and the Professional Development Service for Teachers It was devised as a grassroots initiative to nurture Ireland’s future moviemaking talent by encouraging them to devise, develop, produce, and submit their short films for consideration in a range of categories. The event was co-produced by students of IADT’s National Film School and streamed live on the official FÍS website.

Some other 2023 winners include :

Commenting on this year’s awards, FÍS Manager from The Institute of Art, Design & Technology, Bernadette Meagher said:  “The judges had a tough task at this year’s event, the standard and ambition of the entries was so high, not to mention the creativity. We congratulate every one of the children involved, along with their teachers, on their well-deserved awards……”

 



National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)

Deadline: 31st March, 5pm

NCCA is seeking the views of a range of parties, including education stakeholders, practising teachers and students who are interested in contributing to this Early Insights Review. There are several ways to participate in the consultation: 

These focus groups will take place during the day from 10:30am – 1:00pm. Places are limited and registration remains open until one week in advance of each focus group. 

This review process will close on Friday, 31st March at 5pm. 

For more information see : https://ncca.ie/en/junior-cycle/curriculum-developments/visual-art/

National Museum of Ireland (NMI)

The National Museum of Ireland (NMI) is inviting schools and teachers across Ireland to spring into culture and heritage with a new programme of tours, activities and resources for onsite and online engagement.

The museum has just launched a diverse range of events across four public sites in Dublin and Mayo. Activities include virtual tours, guided tours, self-guided visits, workshops, classroom resources, video resources, wordsearches, arts and crafts and more.

The curriculum-linked programme aims to spark curiosity, stimulate discussion and encourage cultural and heritage engagement through our national collections.

All schools visits are free but must be booked in advance as capacity is limited and varies from site to site.

Here are some of the highlights of the upcoming schedule.

Orienteering Workshop / Post Primary

Learn some basic map reading and navigation skills and complete an orienteering course around the grounds of the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life at Turlough Park in Co Mayo. Booking is required.

PRIMARY / Classroom activity: Ice Age Ireland – Cool Fossils

Use these curriculum-linked activity sheets and video resource to learn more about Ice Age Ireland. In this museum activity, find out about Ice Age Ireland, learn about fossils and the different kinds of animals that lived on your doorstep thousands of years ago.

For the full programme of activities go to https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/News/Schools-programme-2023

 


!!!! Baboró Publish LEAP Report and Findings

Baboró International Arts Festival For Children

Baboró have published their report and findings from their pilot LEAP programme. LEAP is a community-building project and artist development programme for creative individuals from underrepresented, ethnically diverse communities and/or migrant backgrounds curious about creating work for young audiences.

This report is an account of the development and implementation of Baboró’s LEAP as a pilot programme between December 2020-April 2022. The report examines the context of LEAP’s creation, what worked about this pilot programme, what could be improved for the future, and what learnings LEAP offers that are relevant to wider Irish and international theatre for young audiences’ communities.

This report also situates Baboró’s LEAP within post-2000s Irish arts policy focused on interculturalism and/or diversity and the wider international landscape of politics, policy and social change in the theatre for young audiences sector and beyond that immediately influenced the creation and implementation of this programme.

For a short executive summary of this report, and their learnings from the pilot LEAP programme, download the document below.

Download the LEAP Learnings here

Read The Full Report

Download the complete LEAP Report here

!!!! Opportunity for Schools: Applications Open For National Heritage Keepers Programme

Burrenbeo Trust

Application Deadline: 12th October

Burrenbeo Trust have announced the latest round of the National Heritage Keepers Programme which they launched with the help of Kinvara Tidy Towns and The Dolmen Centre, Kinvara. After working closely with 117 groups and schools over the past two years, the programme is now accepting expressions of interest for its highly anticipated third round. Burrenbeo Trust proudly partners with the Heritage Council in this transformative initiative.

The National Heritage Keepers Programme is a fantastic opportunity for schools and communities across Ireland. It empowers them to delve into their local built, natural, and cultural heritage and then provides funding to allow them to take action. This programme offers various learning formats, including in-person, online, and blended options, making it accessible to a wide range of participants.

In the previous year, 40 schools and communities participated in the programme, with the majority successfully completing local projects and actions. These actions included constructing ponds, developing heritage trails, hosting networking days, tree planting, creating booklets on local built heritage, and even organising historic photography exhibitions.

Mary Dillon, Heritage Keepers Co-ordinator, emphasised the programmes mission, stating, “Heritage Keepers aims to empower people to explore and discover their own local heritage, fostering pride, ownership, and ultimately responsibility towards both their community and environment. Through Heritage Keepers, schools and communities can play a huge part in protecting and promoting their local heritage and Place.

The programme consists of five engaging two-hour workshops, followed by dedicated support while completing the funded action. It opens for expressions of interest on the 14th September, with options to begin this autumn or in the New Year. The programme is open to senior classes in primary schools and will be scheduled during school hours.

Learn more about this opportunity at an online information session scheduled for Thursday, September 28th, at 7.30pm. Visit heritagekeepers.ie for additional details and to complete a brief Expression of Interest form.

 

!!!! Teachers’s CPD: Úlla Buaille – New Songs for the Classroom in Irish at The Ark

The Ark

Date: Saturday 21 Oct at 10.30am – 12.30pm

In this CPD workshop for teachers, you will enjoy: Learning some of these new songs which are simple and fun to sing. It can be difficult to find songs in Irish in genres other than traditional; these songs are new and in a variety of music styles.

Join musician Ríona Sally Hartman in discovering music in the classroom anew in this morning CPD workshop for teachers presented through Irish and English. Ríona has created a new collection of original bilingual songs written specifically for use in primary school classrooms with accompanying class activities.

Exploring links to recordings and work-pages to accompany the songs that you can photocopy for use in the classroom. Trying out sample activities to cover all three areas of the music curriculum: listening and responding, performing and composing. Discovering songs for use outside music time, such an “attention grabber” in Irish (a very short call and response song to use when you want to get the class’s attention). Ríona will also bring some examples of other books and CDs that she finds useful in the classroom. There’ll be time to look at these and time for discussion and questions also.

Overall, this fun and inspiring workshop will build your confidence in both your Irish and your singing voice. It is suitable for all levels of experience and the resources shared will work for all primary classes.

Cost: €20 (€18 for ArkEd Members)

Book your ticket here: https://ark.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873639444

 

!!!! Keystone by Art School; An Exhibition of Moving Image at The Courthouse Gallery

 

The Courthouse Gallery and Studios, Ennistymon

Date : 8th – 29th September

The Courthouse Gallery and Studios launched Keystone; new moving image work by Art School on 8th September. Commissioned by Clare Arts Office to celebrate twenty years of arts in education programming, Keystone was developed with selected artists Mitch Conlon and James Moran in collaboration with fifth year students from two schools in Co. Clare.

Taking the theme of the collective as its central point of departure, Keystone took shape as a series of workshops guided by artist Mitch Conlon and theatre maker and comedian James Moran working with the 5th year art students and teachers of Coláiste Muire, Ennis, and Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon, during the school year 2022–23. The project was curated by Jennie Guy, founder and director of Art School, alongside invited co-curator Fiona Gannon, and investigated ideas around the collective by exploring the places where teenagers go to hang out.

Through presentations, games, recording sessions and collaborative decision-making, the production of Keystone explored the atmospheres of specific hang-out spots visited by the students from both schools. Drawing on additional support from filmmaker and artist Emily McFarland and electronic music composer Liam McCartan (Son Zept), the students worked with sound and video to communicate the dynamics of these often peripheral places.

There was a private screening for students and other project partners in the Courthouse Gallery on the 8th September 2023 at 6PM and the work will be subsequently exhibited in the gallery space upstairs from the 8th through the 29th of September. The gallery opening hours are 12pm through 5pm.

To celebrate the launch of the project, a limited edition poster is being produced with award-winning design studio Distinctive Repetition to mark this screening event and will be gifted to each student collaborator involved in the project.

Keystone is supported by Clare Arts Office and the Arts Council.

The project was a recipient of the 2023 Arts in Education Documentation Award

!!!! Opportunities and Events For Teachers and Artists at Solstice Arts Centre

Solstice Arts Centre

Solstice Arts Centre have a number of upcoming events and opportunities for teachers, artists and schools.

Opportunity; An introduction to the gallery for educators & artists

Date: 3rd October 2023 at 4pm

Solstice Gallery are offering teachers, lecturers, teaching artists, youth workers or community leaders an opportunity to learn more about the gallery and what it can offer your class or group.

Over a relaxed tea/coffee, you can discover how to use their gallery as a rich learning environment. Through the exploration of contemporary artists and their work, experience the Solstice Arts Centre’s  VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) tours and resources, discover their artist-led workshops created especially for schools and plan a visit for your students with their Learning & Engagement Coordinator. Embracing cross-curricular links, this rich environment for learning supports all students in primary, secondary and 3rd level.

Read more about the event here; https://solsticeartscentre.ie/event/an-introduction-to-our-gallery-for-educators-and-artists

School Gallery VTS Tours

Dates: Tuesdays – Fridays, various times available.

Exploring contemporary artworks in Solstice’s gallery spaces using VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies), this is an opportunity for pupils and teachers to investigate, analyse and reflect on multiple perspectives. With cross-curricular links, these sessions support pupils in primary and post-primary, placing them at the centre of the learning process. While visiting Solstice, Senior Cycle students will receive specific information and resources that embrace Content Area 3: Today’s World of the New Appreciating Art Visual Studies curriculum. Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an inquiry-based method of visual processing. Responding and expanding thoughts revealed within group engagement, VTS improves oral and visual literacy, problem solving and collaborative interactions among peers.

Price: free, booking essential, duration: 90mins

Read more about the event here; https://solsticeartscentre.ie/event/school-gallery-tours-primary-and-secondary

 

Sensory Connections

Dates: Wed 6, 13 Sept/4, 11, 18, 25 Oct,  8/ 15 Nov/ 6, 13 Dec.

These relaxed gallery tours and short workshops designed for small groups with additional needs and their teacher/carers follow a slow pace of engagement. Tailored to individual needs participants can engage in a multi-disciplinary, sensory activity that connects to an artwork on display. All levels of capability are welcome. The gallery will be closed during your visit and guidance from teachers and carers will be discussed prior to the session.

Read more about the event here: https://solsticeartscentre.ie/event/sensory-connections-1

For all queries and bookings email Deirdre: deirdre.rogers@solsticeartscentre.ie

 

!!!! Blog 4 – Coláiste Muire (Ennis) and Scoil Mhuire (Ennistymon), Co. Clare

Our Voices

During 2023 I took part in the Keystone art project. Once a week, Mitch and James, two successful artists, came to our school for a discussion, which later became activities and progress on the actual project. For the first few weeks we all got to know each other by chatting and discussing our favourite art forms. Something that stood out for me during these chats was our discussion of collaboration and what it meant to us. We all got to say what we thought, making the classroom environment very collaborative. We discussed whether people should have different roles within the project. I loved having these discussions and getting to know the artists, as it made the project a lot easier to work on.

Our first task was to write about somewhere special to us. I chose Lahinch as it is where I’m from and where I have spent many happy memories with my friends. We all shared our work with the class which gave us insight into our favourite places around the local area. Our second task was to record audio from somewhere in our area or community. I recorded the sounds of waves crashing on the beach as it is a sound that relaxes me, and I associate it with fond memories. We shared our sound recordings in class. After more discussion, where we looked for common interests in our chosen locations and recordings, we decided on what other footage we might need for our film. We all went to Lahinch with a film crew and equipment to record. We took film footage of the rocks, sand etc. We all had a go at filming and holding the recording equipment. This was a really fun day as we finally got to see a vision for what the finished project would become. 

The next week in the classroom we received our first draft for the audio of our short film. It included all the sounds that we hand recorded earlier in the year as well as nostalgic music. The artists explained that our footage would be laid down after the soundtrack.

A few weeks later, we finally got to see our first draft of the whole film. Each scene was numbered. We got to say what we liked and didn’t like, by taking notes on each scene. It was such a great feeling to finally see what we had been working on for so long. Our feedback was sent back to the artists and videographer, where they would edit and tweak the footage to align with what our class wanted. 

Participating in this project was such a great experience.  We got to be part of a huge collaboration where all student voices were heard. It felt great knowing that my own ideas would impact the project. I’m grateful for this opportunity, as I got to learn more about collaborative artwork which is something I would love to continue exploring. Thanks to Jennie, Mitch, James, Fiona and everyone involved for this fantastic opportunity.  



!!!! Call for Papers, Presentations and Workshops! 2023 National Arts in Education Portal Day

Arts in Education Portal

Deadline: Friday 15 September 2023

Artists, teachers, academics and arts education professionals….Do you want to be part of the eighth annual National Arts in Education Portal Day?

The National Arts in Education Portal Day will take place at Mary Immaculate College on Saturday, 11 November 2023 in partnership with the Department of Arts Education & Physical Education. The event aims to bring together members of the arts in education and creative practice community from all across Ireland, to share, learn, talk, network, get inspired and continue interrogating best practice in the field.

The Arts in Education Portal Editorial Committee invites proposals from organisations or individuals who want to give dynamic and inspiring presentations or workshops that can offer sharing of skills, practical approaches, new insights and critical thinking across the field, from a range of perspectives.

This year, the Portal Day will continue the special focus of ‘Seldom Heard Voices’. The Committee particularly want to profile projects this year that reflect diversity and inclusion across school communities and represent all children.

Do you have a workshop or presentation that you would like to be included in the programme for this day? If so, please send us your proposal.

The deadline for submission of proposals is 5pm Friday 15th September 2023.

Proposals should be submitted via Google Forms, click here to access the form.

!!!! Opportunity for Teacher Creative Associates: Creative Schools

Creative Schools

Deadline: 31st August 2023

Creative Schools have launched a call out for Teacher Creative Associates.  Scoileanna Ildánacha/Creative Schools is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme to enable the creative potential of every child. Creative Schools is led by the Arts Council in partnership with the Department of Education.

It is expected that the Creative Associate will work in partnership with up to one school to develop expertise and approaches that will develop and sustain arts and creative practices in their schools.  Creative Associates will draw on the range of opportunities within the school and wider community to stimulate and support creative practices as part of the school’s plan.

Creative Associates are educators with their own arts practice and a deep understanding of creativity and its potential to transform the lives of children and young people. They are dynamic agents for change uniquely placed to form sustainable partnerships between teachers, school staff, learners and other partners.

They are original thinkers who will match the needs of schools to creative opportunities in their locality. They can identify potential areas for improvement and will inspire, energise and drive schools forward in addressing these. Through this pioneering initiative, Creative Associates will have the chance to shape the place of the arts and creativity in Irish schools.

It is expected that up to 10 to 15 Teacher Creative Associates will be engaged to deliver services. Each associate will be partnered with one school within one the following regions:

  • Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo
  • Mayo, Roscommon, Galway
  • Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath
  • Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wicklow
  • Dublin
  • Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford
  • Cork, Kerry,
  • Clare, Tipperary, Limerick

Follow the link to apply: https://form.jotform.com/232194890105354

For more information please visit: https://www.artscouncil.ie/creative-associate-opportunities/

 

 

!!!! Baboró Share First Look at their 27th Annual Festival Programme

Baboró International Arts Festival

Date: Friday 13th to Sunday 22nd October 2023

Deadline for Schools Application: Friday 8th September 

Baboró share a first look at the highlights of their upcoming 27th annual festival.

You’ll find an enchanting new show from beloved Irish companies Fidget Feet and Ceol Connected alongside world-class theatre for older children by renowned Australian company Slingsby. Also from Australia, an engaging visual art exhibition will invite Galway families to create and view their own photographic portraits in Galway Arts Centre.

“As we finalise plans for Baboró 2023, I am delighted to unveil three stunning festival highlights featuring aerial dance, theatre, live music and portrait photography – two of which come from as far away as Australia! The full programme of work from Belgium, England, Spain, The Netherlands, Australia and Ireland will be revealed in a few weeks,” said Aislinn Ó hEocha, Executive Artistic Director.

The full programme will include visual arts, music, dance, theatre, literature, creative workshops and adult events, as well as many more performances for all ages. The programme will be announced on Tuesday 5 September.

Schools

All schools and group bookings via the Online Booking Request form, available below from Monday 21 August. https://www.baboro.ie/schools/schools

Contact the Schools Box Office on schools@baboro.ie or 091 532 985.

See more on the festival here : https://www.baboro.ie/news-events/2023-sneak-peek

!!!! Opportunity for Teachers and/or Artists: Online Photography Learning Resource with Source Magazine

Source Magazine

Date: Ongoing

Source Magazine has created a free online learning resource about photography, designed for the Senior Cycle. Its three interlinked strands of research, creativity and response aim to provide a context for students to develop critical and productive skills in photography.

They are written by Jesse Alexander, an experienced educationist in photography and contributor to Source. Each includes group discussion topics and suggested activities to help grasp their significance. They are illustrated with the work of some of the most celebrated photographers.

Teachers can email research@source.ie to obtain a free digital subscription to Source, which includes access to the digital archive of the last 47 issues.

For more information please visit: https://www.source.ie/learning/index.html

!!!! Opportunity for Creative Practitioners: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR)

Deadline for applications: 16th August 2023 at 12pm

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, in partnership with Blackrock Education Centre, is looking for four experienced artists/creative practitioners to work with children and teachers in the classroom setting. They are also seeking two emerging artists/creative practitioners to join the programme. Applications are open to practitioners who work in any art form.  The programme runs from October 2023 to May 2024.

The purpose of the programme is to partner a Creative Practitioner with a primary school class and teacher. They will explore creativity in the classroom together. A Creative Practitioner is a professional artist/facilitator with an art form background, for example; a dancer, a visual artist, a writer, or a musician.

  • The fees are €60 per hour for facilitation; with an additional €500 payment for research and €250 for blogging about the programme. Payments will also be available for coming to three scheduled meetings with all the artists and teachers during each project. Five meetings with the teacher outside of contact hours with the class will be paid for, if these are required (these can be phone meetings or in person).
  • The two emerging creative practitioners will be expected to work with a mentor who will support and assist their development. It is envisioned that this will be four sessions, two in the classroom and two outside.

 To apply please email your application to mdavey@dlrcoco.ie with the subject line dlr Primary Arts

For further details please visit:www.dlrcoco.ie/sites/default/files/2023-07/dlr%20Primary%20Arts%20Programme%202023%20to%202024_0.pdf

 

!!!! Teacher’s CPD: Dance in Primary Schools with Ballet Ireland

Ballet Ireland

Dates: 3rd – 7th July 2023

Ballet Ireland invite primary school teachers, educational professionals and artists to sign up for their CPD course: Ballet Ireland Teachers Week: Dance In Primary Schools.  The course is approved by the Department of Education with 3 EPV days entitlement.

It takes place at DCU St. Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra, in association with the School of Arts Education and Movement, DCU, 3rd-7th July 2023. The course provides participants with a secure understanding of how to teach dance, using simple, clear methods, easy steps and straightforward dance vocabulary.

Teachers are introduced to the fundamental aspects of dance education, including:

The course presents an interdisciplinary approach to teaching dance, and explores the potential for integrated curricular learning. Each day comprises a gentle Pilates-based warm-up, demonstration/lecture workshops and timetabled periods of peer and self-assessment, discussion, and reflection.

The programme employs specialists in several complementary areas, providing workshops in dance, anatomy, music and mime. Participants are supported with comprehensive course notes and access to online video resources and dedicated musical content.

Optional follow up days are held during mid-term breaks in autumn and spring (at DanceHouse, Dublin) and ongoing support is available through closed social media groups.

The week will be led by Stephen Brennan, Education Officer at Ballet Ireland, supported by Hayley Cunningham, former Ballet Ireland dancer, Stott Pilates instructor, qualified ballet teacher and a member of the Ballet Ireland educational team.

Focused workshops will be led by Nolwenn Collett, composer and musician trained at the Paris Conservatoire, and specialist in dance accompaniment, and Deirdre McKenna, a Musculoskeletal & Dance Physiotherapist specialising in sports and dance training and injury prevention.

Cost of the course: €125

For more information and to register for the course please visit: https://www.balletireland.ie/join-in/teachers-week/

!!!! Applications Open for Art and Wellbeing Course for Teachers at MTU

MTU Crawford College of Art and Design

Deadline: Open for the summer.

The Certificate in Arts and Wellbeing (Level 9, 20 credits) offers an introduction to key concepts in models of Wellbeing, with a focus on the arts. The course gives participants opportunities to explore arts and wellbeing activities in a personal and group dimension, supported by a reflective process.

This course will benefit teachers or artists looking to broaden the scope of their practice. The aim of the course is to equip participants with practical approaches to Arts and Wellbeing, which can be applied in a range of contexts.

Through a series of experiential workshops, participants will be offered the opportunity to explore practical ways of developing Arts based Wellbeing programmes. Through a series of lectures and guest speakers, participants will critically engage with a range of concepts and theories related to Arts in Health and Wellbeing.

The course duration is one academic year, part-time, one day twice a month in person, one evening online every second week. The fee for the course is €1700.

For enquiries, contact: Avril O’Brien, Department of Arts in Health and Education. Email: avril.obrien@mtu.ie

Apply here: https://www.mtu.ie/courses/craarwe9/

!!!! Uillinn: Brightlines – Children’s exhibition of work

 

Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre

DATE: 3rd June – 1st July 2023

Four primary schools from across West Cork came together to participate in Bright Lines – Uillinn’s Spring education programme for primary schools. Bright Lines invited students to stretch how they see and interpret the world around them and weave together new stories.

The programme consisted of a tour and workshop at Uillinn with Public Engagement Artist Kate McElroy viewing the work of Sérgio Leitao ‘The Fallout’ which was then followed by visits in the students’ classrooms to develop their own collaborative collages exploring creativity and storytelling. Bright Lines invited students to be creative with their responses blending items from their everyday life with their imagination. 

Altogether 100 students from 1st – 6th class worked on Bright lines. An exhibition of their work is currently on view until 1st July 2023.

Uillinn wish to thank students from Dromore NS, Scoil Mhuire NS, Schull, Scoil na mbuachaillí, Clonakilty and Gaelscoil Dr. Uí Shúilleabháin, Skibbereen for their excellent creative work and the teachers for taking part in the programme.

On Saturday 10 June between 10 AM – 1PM, children and young people are invited to take part in a drop in art activity at the centre where they too can add their artistic contributions to Bright Lines. This collaborative drawing art activity is part of the celebration of Crinniú na nÓg – A day of free creativity for children and young people.

To read more please visit: https://www.westcorkartscentre.com/schools-archive

!!!! Blog 1 – Coláiste Muire (Ennis) and Scoil Mhuire (Ennistymon), Co. Clare

A Coláiste Muire Collective

I was instantly intrigued by the idea and inspiration behind the Keystone project. At its essence art should challenge our perceptions and viewpoints, provoke thought and discussion. By getting the students to focus on the local, and the everyday, they were challenged to reconsider their traditional concepts of what is worthy to be art. Moments in their own lives were investigated especially those centred around places they frequented around the town; their hang out spots.  

These “spots”, these centres of interactions and events, often located in places unintended for that purpose; private places within shared spaces, offer teenagers a third space away from the restrictions and rules of home and school. A separate social dynamic for freedoms of expression and connectivity. Nevertheless, these places are normally frowned upon, considered loitering spots, adults tell youths to move on, to stop wasting time. The very idea that the artists wanted students to celebrate these places challenged their preconceptions of the value of these spots and in turn inspired further exploration. 

The explorations brought us down a rabbit hole of new experiences where Mitch and James introduced the group to artistic influences such as the sound art of Mary Anne Amacher, and a documentary about protestors in Curraghinalt made by Emily MacFarland. Each piece inspired very much by the space they were captured in; the physical place and landscape told the story or was the story. This encouraged the students to go out and collect and gather content to tell theirs. They used sound recording, photography, written word and film. A multi-sensual catalogue of data was being built that would act as the primary source of a final realisation.

Our collective expanded further when the expertise of sound producer Liam McCartan and filmmaker Emily MacFarland were brought in to help build our content. Their choices, influenced by written reflections made by students, an interactive zoom call and on-site video shoot where students made creative inputs into all decision making. The experience of observing the layering and manipulation of individual sounds to produce a whole composition, along with the opportunity to use professional video production equipment was something I feel the students really enjoyed.

Seeing how, as the project developed, the students’ immersion within the project increased was something that was very enjoyable for me. Evident in their reflections their initial writings were basic literal descriptions of the sessions, but as the project developed and the students allowed themselves to become more absorbed, their writings became more conceptual considerations. They contemplated how themes could be communicated within the content; a swinging zipline rope from the playground could suggest isolation, a grove of trees in the fair green symbolised privacy in a public space. Their thoughts were now of symbolism and metaphor, associations were being sought outside of their literal meaning. This I believe was one of the greatest successes of the project; the opening of the student’s minds and realisation that all the resources they need to create and solve are often right there in front of them, they just need to give themselves time to look and observe.

!!!! Primary School FÍS Film Awards 2023 Open for Entries

FÍS Film Awards

Deadline: 30th June 2023 at 5pm

FÍS have launched an open invitation to all Dept. of Education designated Irish primary schools to enter their films into the annual national FÍS Film Awards competition.  There is no need to register in advance.  To enter, primary schools across the country are asked to create an (up to) five-minute film on a subject of their choice.

Judging Criteria Highlights:

Shortlisted schools must be available to attend the FÍS Film Awards Ceremony, which takes place in the Helix Theatre, DCU Dublin.  It is a large-scale national event with over 900 people in attendance, filmed and broadcast by students and staff from the National Film School, at the Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT).  The awards ceremony is live- streamed via their website. Shortlisted schools must be available to attend the ceremony.

Full details of Rules & Guidelines and Judging Criteria are available at https://fisfilmproject.ie/competition/rules/  and https://fisfilmproject.ie/competition/judging_criteria/

You can submit your entry via https://fisfilmproject.ie/competition

!!!! Applications Open for Creativity and Change at MTU

 

Creativity and Change at MTU

Application Deadline: 22nd June 2023

Creativity & Change is accepting applications for their 2023-2024 course, which begins in September. This part-time, 20 credit certificate at level 9 offers participants the opportunity to explore Global Citizenship Education, immersing themselves in arts-based practices that connect their heads, hearts and hands, to learn about and take action for global justice, while developing skills to nurture fellow changemakers.

What you can expect from the programme:

Supported by Irish Aid, Department of Justice, the course will be of interest to artists, activists, youth & community educators, volunteers and all those who are interested in collaboration and the transformative power of art. They especially welcome applicants from minority groups facing barriers to accessing education, who can apply to avail of fully funded places under their Amplifying Voices scheme.

Duration: One weekend per month from September 2023 to May 2024

Location: Munster Technological University (MTU) Crawford College of Art and Design

Course fee: €680 (subsidised by funding from Irish Aid)

For further information and to apply visit: https://www.cit.ie/course/CRACRCH9

!!!! Barboró Arts Festival launch their Five Year Strategic Plan

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children

Baboró has announced the launch of their Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 highlighting their vision for the future, and their ambitions for the next five years.

“We are committed to making our festival and programmes more equitable. Baboró is building on our work in the community by bringing festival shows and workshops into schools throughout the city and county, touring to rural schools and community libraries, and unearthing new ways of reaching audiences that cannot reach us. We work directly with teachers and schools year-round on innovative arts in education projects in Galway city and county. We are building our community of families, schools, artists and local organisations so that everyone feels that they can belong at Baboró. We collaborate with our Children’s Panel to ensure the voice of the child is included in our work”Barboró

Baboró’s Strategic Goals:

Every child is valued and welcome at Baboró. Baboró is working towards removing barriers facing children and artists and is committed to creating programmes where everyone feels welcomed, feels heard and is represented in their community. They commit to reflecting the diverse, multicultural Ireland of today in our artistic programmes.

Goal One:
Their annual Festival continues to be Baboró’s beating heart – a celebration of all their work and a gathering place for their community.

Goal Two:
Children in all their diversity and brilliance will be at the centre of their programmes and activities.

Goal Three:
Artists will be supported to make exciting, innovative work for children and young people.

Goal Four:
The environmental and biodiversity crisis will be reflected in the way they work and the stories they tell.

Goal Five:
Invest in their staff team and build a resilient organisation that reflects the breadth and quality of their work.

For further information visit www.baboro.ie or to read the full strategy go to www.baboro.ie/content/files/Baboro-2023-2027-Strategy.pdf

 

 

 

 

!!!! Summer CPD for Teachers: A Visual Arts Approach in the Classroom with The Ark

The Ark

Date: 14th – 18th August 2023

Join artist Jole Bortoli at The Ark for this hugely popular hands-on, creative course focusing on a visual arts approach to exploring narrative, literacy & other subjects.

The aim of the course is to enable participants to start the new school year with an enhanced toolbox of skills and knowledge, in order to effectively deliver the visual arts curriculum in the classroom. Participants will be engaged ‘hands-on’ throughout this course so learning will be through doing. Working in teams and individually, you will cover a range of curriculum strands including drawing, painting, print, 3D construction, fabric, and fibre.

A strong emphasis will be on building skills and confidence. The group will also explore how visual art can be used to engage with aspects of the English, SPHE, History and Maths curriculum, as well as to promote visual literacy approaches. School self-evaluation exercises will be incorporated as an integral part of the course. Time will also be given for individual reflection and learning and group discussion.

This course will appeal to teachers of all levels of experience and will be facilitated by the visual arts and education specialist and founder of Art to Heart, Jole Bortoli. This is a continuing professional development opportunity not to be missed!

TICKETS

€100/€90 (For ArkEd Members)

DURATION

Five day course – teachers must commit to all five days.

This is a five-day Department of Education EPV-approved summer course for teachers.

Suitable for all levels of experience.

Book your tickets here: https://ark.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows

!!!! Sign up for Arts In Junior Cycle Elective Courses!

Arts in Junior Cycle

Dates: Various

Arts in Junior Cycle have an extensive range of elective courses available to book for post-primary School teachers. Please see a selection of the course available below.

Lights, Camera, Action! A film production workshop

Date: Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th and Friday 9th June

Times:  10.30am – 4pm 

Location: Kilkenny Education Centre

This Arts in Junior Cycle workshop with Young Irish Film Makers (YIFM) in Kilkenny Education Centre will provide participants with an opportunity to:

This in-person workshop is open to junior cycle teachers of all subjects and disciplines.  

Figurative Oil Painting workshop

Dates: Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th June

Times: 10.30am – 3.30pm

Location: Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts (RHA), Dublin

This Arts in Junior Cycle workshop with visual artist Blaise Smith in the RHA will provide participants with an opportunity to:

Open to junior cycle teachers of all subject disciplines.

Do Your Own Thing! A workshop to explore the creative process

Dates: Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd June

Time: 10.30am – 4.00pm

Location: Irish Museum of Modern Art

Arts in Junior Cycle in partnership with visual artist threadstories and writer and poet Colm Keegan offer a two-day workshop in The Irish Museum of Modern Art.

In this hands-on and practical workshop, participants will:

 

Visit the link below for full details and to register  www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie

 

 

 

 

 

!!!! Minister Catherine Martin launches Cruinniú na nÓg 2023

Creative Ireland Programme

Date: 10th June 2023

On the 11th May at Mud Island Community Garden, Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, announced details of Cruinniú na nÓg 2023, a day of free creative activity for young people.

This year Cruinniú na nÓg will be on 10th June 2023 and will feature more than 500 free creative activities for children and young people throughout the country. Cruinniú na nÓg 2023 is a collaboration between, the Creative Ireland Programme, local authorities and RTÉ and is the only event of its kind in the world.

Announcing Cruinniú na nÓg 2023, Minister Martin said:

“Every year Cruinniú na nÓg becomes more firmly embedded into the lives of young people all over Ireland. There’s a huge programme of free creative activities for 10th June that will really stretch the imaginative muscles of all young people. Cruinniú na nÓg 2023 is a wonderful opportunity for the young people of Ireland to show off a little, try a new creative activity, make new friends and connect with their communities. Every event is free.”

The Creative Ireland Programme and its strategic partners have developed a number of creative projects, all planned to go live on Saturday 10th June 2023. These include:

Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network (ISACS) will host open days for young people who want to try their hand at circus skills and street spectacle at their dedicated venues in Cloughjordan, Cork, Dublin and Galway. For those that can’t be there on the day, there will be a full range of online tutorials available.

Rhyme Island – This year Creative Ireland is teaming up with The Kabin Studio to get every young person in Ireland rapping. In preparation the Rhyme Island team have been travelling the length and breadth of the country holding a series of online and in-person workshops which will culminate in a massive day of rap at 17th Century Elizabeth Fort in Cork.

This is Art 2023 – Creative Ireland and RTÉ’s wonderful art competition for young people has returned, and the winning entries will be announced on 10th June 2023 along with a national on-line digital gallery of all entries.

TG4 with support from the Gaeltacht division of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media will support ‘Our World’/ ‘Mo Dhomhan’ several Cruinniú na nÓg projects groups which will include sand art projects.

Cruinniú na nÓg 2023 Ambassadors

This year, Creative Ireland have asked five wonderful young people to represent Cruinniú na nOg 2023 to inspire others with their creative energy and skills.

Caterina Chiu Paone (8) Last year Caterina triumphed in This is Art with her cat collage. Not only does Caterina make art but she loves Irish dancing, playing the guitar, writing and singing her own songs.

Sibéal de Spáinn (8) loves swimming, making art and recording radio shows. She made her first radio show in 2022 on Raidió Rí-Rá. Making art makes her feel great and that she is helping the world.

Jamie (the King) Forde (17) has been rapping at Knocknaheeny’s The Kabin in Cork since he was 10. With his friend MC Tiny (Darren Stewart) Jamie recorded ‘ Yeah Boy’ which they have performed in all over Cork, at Dublin Castle and on The Late, Late Toy Show.

Jodie Byrne (14) is a member of the Dublin Circus Club which she joined in 2022. In a relatively short period of time she was walking on stilts in the St Patrick’s Day parade. For Cruinniú na nÓg this year she will be at the Dublin Circus Club learning to spin plates.

Archie Evans (15) has been involved with the Dublin Circus Club for over a year and he loves it! Once a week he joins his friends in the club to learn everything from stilt walking to trapeze to juggling. Through circus he has met other circus teens from all over the country.

Consistent with the aims of the Government’s Shared Island initiative to deepen beneficial cooperation and connections across the island of Ireland, Cruinniú na nÓg 2023 will be programmed on an all-island basis with cross-community events connecting children and young people from both sides of the border, including via our partners in Circus Explored and Rhyme Island. This action is an integral part of the Shared Island dimension to the Creative Ireland Programme which focuses on harnessing the power of culture and creativity to inspire connections between people, communities and places.

RTÉ is supporting Cruinniú na nÓg with a nationwide campaign on television, radio, online and digital.

For full events listings and further information go to: https://cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie/

 

!!!! 2023 Creative Schools Initiative open for applications

Arts Council of Ireland

Application Deadline: Thursday 15 June 2023 at 5.30pm

Maximum Award: with €4,000

Applications are now open for the Creative Schools Initiative! All Department of Education-recognised primary and post-primary schools and Youthreach centres that have not already participated in a previous round of Creative Schools are eligible to apply.

Creative Schools supports primary and post-primary schools and Youthreach centres across Ireland to put arts and creativity at the heart of children’s and young people’s lives.

It supports schools/centres to provide opportunities for children and young people to build their artistic and creative skills, and to develop additional ways of working that reinforce the impact of creativity on their learning and wellbeing.

Schools and Youthreach centres that join the programme take part in a two-year guided journey to develop a Creative Schools Plan unique to their own school, and to put it into action.  Children and young people’s involvement in planning, decision-making and reflection is central to the journey.

Participating schools/centres will be provided with a package of supports that includes working with a Creative Associate, training and networking to support them to create their Creative School Plan, as well as seed funding to begin to implement their Plan. Successful schools will receive €4,000 to implement their plans over the school years 2023–24 and 2024–25.

Application guidelines 2023

The application guidelines are available  here.  All applications to the Arts Council are made through the Arts Council’s online services system. To access the application form and make an application, please set up an organisation account for your school or Youthreach centre on the Arts Council’s online services system  here.

Information clinics

Please join one of our online information clinics to find out more.

!!!! School Tours and Workshops at The Hunt Museum

The Hunt Museum

Dates: Ongoing

Join The Hunt Museum for a range of options of tours and workshops in the museum, and online resources for learners of all ages including lesson plans, videos and activities.

Some highlights of the workshops include:

Primary:

Life in the Bronze Age

Duration: 60 minutes

This workshop encourages pupils to thematically explore the objects and practices of Ireland’s Bronze Age people. It enables them to investigate and use as evidence the Bronze Age collections on display in the Hunt Museum. The handling of replica prehistoric artefacts will provide additional opportunities for inquiry-led learning. Pupils also get to try out some simple prehistoric technologies. This workshop walks the students through the prehistoric timeline as they learn how technologies emerged and advanced from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age.

 

Animal Hunt Online Programme

Date: Watch video to your schedule 

This 20 minute video workshop introduces Primary School students to animal based collections at the Hunt Museum. Students learn how artists throughout history have depicted animals in their art, and why certain animals are important to different cultures. Students will be introduced to the online research tools that will help them complete the Animal Hunt 3D online activity.

Post-Primary

800 Years of Fashion Workshop

Duration: 60mins

€3.50 euro per student. Teachers go free! 

In this workshop, students will learn about clothing from eight different periods (between 1200 and 1920), and these societies. These resources, and objects in the permanent collection, will be used as historical evidence to better understand the evolution of fashion over time, and how these shifts in style relate to changes in society.

To book, email educationoffice@huntmuseum.com

To see all workshops and tours for schools visit: https://www.huntmuseum.com/schools/

!!!! Get ready for Creative Schools Week 2023!

Creative Schools

Date: 8th-12th May

Creative Schools have invited every school in Ireland (primary, post-primary, special education schools and Youthreach centres) to celebrate the arts and creativity from 8 – 12 May, 2023. The theme this year “Creativity Lives Here” encourages school communities to pause and reflect on where creativity is evident in their lives, in every class, in every school and in the experience of every student. The week is a time to focus on celebrating this creativity, perhaps adding to the experiences of students in the form of events or workshops and providing a platform to show how creative each school can be.

If your school is already in the Creative Schools initiative, this week is a great time to celebrate your journey so far!

Previous years’ Celebrations included Online Celebrations highlighting work from a selection of Creative Schools and Creative Clusters initiatives since 2018, as well as workshops, interviews and features across a wide range of different artists and arts and cultural organisations. They invite you to watch these videos with your students to learn about school communities across the initiative as well as their creative approaches to learning and artistic responses to Covid 19. Schools highlighted are a representation of the over 460 schools who had participated in the Creative Schools initiative since 2018.

Watch a video on Creative Schools Week 2021 Online Celebration: Episode 1 here: Creative Schools Week 2021 Online Celebration: Episode 1 – Primary

For FAQ’s about Creative Schools Weeks visit: https://www.artscouncil.ie/creative-schools/creative-schools-week-2023-faq/#faq1

!!!! The Ark Presents A Schools Visual Art Workshop: My Own Folktale

The Ark: A Cultural Centre for Children

Dates: June, various

Inspired by Cartoon Saloon’s award winning animated movies The Secret of Kells, Songs of the Sea and WolfWalkers, this visual arts workshop invites Primary school classes from 1st to 6th to delve into the rich world of Irish folk tales.

During the workshop, each child will start by creating the setting for a personal narrative by painting the backdrop for this story, as background artists do in animation studios. They will then design a character of their own invention – perhaps a creature or animal they’d love to shape-shift into, to be in their skin and take on their abilities?

In keeping with folklore traditions, children will explore the magical and mythical world of Irish stories and legends, their characters, environments and possible artefacts to see what connections can be made with real historical events.

To fuel the children’s imagination, your class will start the session by visiting Cartoon Saloon’s WolfWalkers exhibition in The Ark gallery. This exhibition contains concept art, beautiful framed artworks and panels that illustrate WolfWalkers’ production stages and teamwork.

Dates: Wed 7 – Fri 9th, Tue 13th – Fri 16th & Tue 20th – Fri 23rd June

Times: 10.15am & 12.15pm

Cost: Schools: €6.50 (€5 Early Bird*). Teachers go free.

Suitable For: 1st – 6th Classes

For more information on the workshop and to book visit: https://ark.ie/events/view/schools-my-own-folktale

!!!! Join Creative Futures Webinar on Creative Uses for Immersive Technology

Creative Futures Academy

Date: Wednesday, 10th May 2023

Creative Futures Academy at IADT invites you to join their upcoming webinar on creative uses for immersive technology.

Are you looking to explore how immersive technologies can be used to enhance learning and creativity? Join their upcoming webinar, Immersive Technologies Use Cases for Learning and Creativity.

Learn about the potential of these technologies and how they can be applied in education and creative activities. Their panel of experts will be showcasing their work in utilising immersive technologies. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to gain insight into the latest trends and innovations in immersive tech! Register now for their webinar.

Book your place now via Eventbrite or by emailing iadt@creativefutures.ie

Find out more about the speakers here: https://creativefuturesacademy.ie/events/webinar-immersive-technologies-use-cases-for-learning-and-creativity/

!!!! Join The Erasmus+ Online eTwinning Schools Conference

Erasmus+

The Online eTwinning Schools Conference

Date: 24th-26th May 2023.

The Online eTwinning Schools Conference will take place from 24 to 26 May 2023. The first day of the conference (Wednesday 24 May) will be live streamed and open for anyone to join and engage with. No registration is needed.

The overall goal of the conference is to identify, highlight, share, promote, disseminate and further establish the practices of eTwinning Schools that focus on creativity and well-being.

During that first day, Arianna Sala of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) will present the keynote presentation “LifeComp: A European competence framework for better lives in our uncertain world”.  LifeComp is the European framework for the personal, social and learning to learn key competence.

Days 2 and 3 will be closed only to eTwinning registered participants.

For more information and to join the public livestream, visit here: https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/insights/news/get-ready-european-online-conference-etwinning-schools-igniting-creativity-nurturing 

!!!! Mayo Education Centre: Creative Arts Session for Teachers

Mayo Education Centre

Date: 30th May 2023

Mayo Education Centre invites teachers to a free arts session that will inspire them to experiment and be creative with a variety of materials to create both two and three dimensional artworks. Led by artist Jennifer Hickey “Making the Season Creative with Art” is a practical face to face session, which will encourage participants to explore art making processes using a variety of materials and will deliver an imaginative learning experience that teachers can bring back to the classroom.

Participants will work with a variety of materials including; clay, inks, paint, card and materials from nature.

It is aimed at teachers of all levels of experience and is suitable for teachers in junior and senior classes.

Learning outcomes

• Learn new and easy ways to incorporate natural materials into the classroom.

• Gain knowledge on contemporary artists who explore their environment and use natural materials in their work.

• Explore hands on craft processes that will promote wellbeing and encourage the classroom to respond, explore and interpret the season in a visual and creative way.

Date: 30th May, 7pm – 9pm

Fee: Free

To Book: https://mayoeducationcentre.ie/

!!!! Creative Writing Workshops for Teachers with Arts in Junior Cycle

Arts In Junior Cycle

Date: Wed 3 May 2023

Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Venue: Zoom

Arts in Junior Cycle are hosting a creative writing workshop for Teachers. Knights of the Borrowed Dark: Approaches to Story writing with award-winning author Dave Rudden.

Using his novel Knights of the Borrowed Dark – an indicative text for 1st year junior cycle English – Dave will share how he turns inspiration into a fully developed narrative. You will see the writing process from the inside and learn creative writing techniques you may wish to use in the classroom.

During this workshop participants will:

  • use the Knights of the Borrowed Dark as a starting point, learn how to, craft ideas into stories and develop sustainable writing practices
  • explore how to create and describe the characters and structure of a story
  • develop a plan to write a ‘draft zero’ of your own novel or short story
  • collaborate, share ideas, and reflect in a safe, supportive workshop space
  • experience practical and creative methodologies that can be used / put to use in professional classroom practice.

Spaces are limited. A waiting list will apply. Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie

 

 

!!!! Irish Architecture Foundation Open Call for Schools

Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF)

Application Deadline: 9 June 2023 – 6 pm

The Irish Architecture Foundation has opened a call for schools to participate in their TY Architects in Schools Programme 2023/24.

Now entering into its 11th annual cycle, this Transition Year programme is creative, collaborative and participatory, providing an introduction to architecture and the design process for young people. There is no cost for your school to participate (apart from providing some art materials). An architect will facilitate hands-on design workshops in your school.

Dates, times and workshop duration will be arranged directly between the designated teacher / TY coordinator and the assigned architect.

Workshops must take place between 1 September 2023 and 22 March 2024.

There are two options for participation:

Option A: Full Programme

30 schools can participate in the full programme (12 hours of workshops per school, with an architect / architectural graduate).

Option B: Introductory Programme

40 additional schools can avail of introductory workshops (1 x 3 hour workshop per school, with an architect / architectural graduate).

To apply and find out more visit: https://architecturefoundation.ie/news/architects-in-schools-open-call-for-schools-2023-24/

 

 

 

 

!!!! The Ark is hosting CPD Courses for Teachers

The Ark

Dates: Saturday 13 May 10.30am – 12.30pm

Tickets: €20 (€18 for ArkEd Members)

In this CPD workshop for primary teachers, textile artist and educator Gabi McGrath will introduce participants to the art of felting and explore ways to bring their learning into their classroom.

A designer, craft teacher, maker and curator, Gabi will introduce her textile practice to participants and share a selection of projects that she has undertaken with schools.

You will then have the opportunity to experiment with fibres in this hands-on workshop, learning simple felting techniques and uncovering the expressive possibilities of the material. Through both 2D and 3D construction, you will explore shape, tone, texture and form.

Over the course of this two-hour workshop, Gabi will help you develop skills, techniques and processes that can be integrated into your lesson plans and adapted for students of all ages.

To Book https://ark.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873635778

 

!!!! National Gallery of Ireland Schools Programme 2023

National Gallery of Ireland (NGI)

The National Gallery of Ireland have released their spring programme for schools. Some highlights include:

ONSITE:

School Tour: Collection highlights (free)

Term Time. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays at 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm

Explore treasures of the national collection through engaging discussions with National Gallery expert guides on this free school tour. Focusing on dialogue, questioning, and creativity, this free tour will embolden students to look, respond, and form opinions. The tour will be tailored to the age and level of your group and is available in Irish, English or ISL.

The school tours are free but booking is essential. Book your tour here

Sketching Tour (€35)

Term Time. Thursdays at 12.30pm

Take a deeper look at the national collection on this sketching tour with an artist from the NGI’s guide panel. Use sketching to observe and respond to details and techniques. Your guide will select some key artworks to look at in depth on this tour. The tour will be tailored to the age and level of your group and is available in English.

Booking is essential. Book your sketching tour online

 

ONLINE:

Gallery in the Classroom (free)

Term Time. Monday- Friday at 12pm.

Explore treasures of the national collection through engaging online discussions with one of their expert guides. Focusing on dialogue, questioning and creativity, the session will embolden students to look, respond and form opinions. The online session will be tailored to the age and level of your group and is available in Irish or English. You can choose from the following themes: Collection Highlights; Portraits; Irish Art; European Art.

Book an online Gallery in the Classroom session 

For more information on all on offer this spring at NGI please visit https://www.nationalgallery.ie/explore-and-learn/schools/schools-programme

!!!! Poetry Day Ireland 2023 Events Programme Announced

Poetry Ireland – Day of Poetry 2023

Date: Thursday 27th April

Submission Deadline: 20th April 

Poetry Ireland is celebrating poetry in schools by offering this online collection of inspiring activities and ideas for teachers and children. Packed with poems and fun activities, this vibrant online resource encourages teachers, children and families nationwide to read, write, listen to, illustrate, perform, share – and above all enjoy
poetry.

https://www.poetryireland.ie/content/files/Poetry_Day_Resource-2023.pdf

The programme of events is now live on their website. This all-island celebration of poetry takes place on Thursday 27 April and the theme is ‘Message in a Bottle’.

They have more than 70 exciting events included in the programme encompassing Bangor, Belfast, Cork, Donegal, Drogheda, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Mayo, New York, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford, so far!

Submissions are still being taken up to Thursday 20th April. Register your Poetry event here: https://www.poetryireland.ie/poetry-day/join-in/registration

You can see the entire programme here https://www.poetryireland.ie/poetry-day/whats-on

!!!! Minister Foley announces call for applications from schools for BLAST 2023 and Creative Clusters initiatives

Department of Education: BLAST and Creative Clusters

Deadlines:

BLAST: 19th May 2023

Creative Clusters: 12th May 2023

The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has invited primary and post-primary schools to apply for the arts in education initiative, Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers (BLAST) 2023 and Creative Clusters. 

 

BLAST – Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teaches

BLAST will be running in 2023 for the third time. The 2023 programme will enable 425 new arts in education residencies in schools over the course of the year.

The aim of BLAST is to provide pupils in schools all over the country, time and the space to work with a professional artist on creative, imaginative and fun projects.

For Applications in English and Irish, please visit: https://www.edcentretralee.ie/blast.html

The deadline for receipt of applications is 19th May 2023.

Watch the promotional video for the TAP+ and BLAST initiatives: https://vimeo.com/825074868

Creative Clusters 

Each Creative Cluster will receive grant funding of €3,000 per school over a two-year period to implement their project in the 2023–2025 school years (e.g. a cluster of 3 schools would receive €9,000 over two years while a cluster of 5 schools would receive €15,000 over two years). Clusters will receive 50% of the total grant funding in Year 1, with the second 50% being provided in Year 2.  In addition, but separate to the grant funding, all successful clusters are further supported with: A fully paid Creative Cluster Facilitator; paid Teacher Substitution to attend training and meetings; room hire, travel & subsistence.

For Applications in English and Irish please visit: https://www.edcentretralee.ie/creative-clusters.html

The deadline for receipt of applications is 12th May 2023.

For more information on both initiatives please visit: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/5e9e9-minister-foley-announces-call-for-applications-from-schools-for-blast-2023-and-creative-clusters-initiatives/

Watch the promotional video for theCreative Clusters initiative: https://vimeo.com/825072944

 

!!!! Professional Development Opportunity: Social Practice Toolkit

Cork City Council & Leitrim County Council

Deadline: Monday 10th April 

Cork City Council Arts Office and Leitrim County Arts Office invite artists with a special interest in arts practice with children and young people to participate in a FREE professional development opportunity.

Supported by The Arts Council Invitation to Collaboration Scheme and taking place throughout May and June, this exciting programme—Social Practice Toolkit: Children and Youth—is aimed at artists and arts workers who are keen to exchange knowledge and upskill in collaborative and participatory arts with children and young people.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Monday 10th April. Please contact sptoolkit2023@gmail.com with any queries.

For more information and to apply, visit:

http://www.leitrimcoco.ie/eng/community-culture/arts/grants-opportunities/social-practice-toolkit-children-youth/social-practice-toolkit-children-youth.html

!!!! Opportunity for Teachers: Tartuffe – Text to Performance

The Abbey Theatre: Tartuffe – Text to Performance

Dates:  Various

Arts in Junior Cycle and the Abbey Theatre are delighted to present Tartuffe: Text to Performance. Open to teachers from all subject disciplines, Tartuffe: Text to Performance consists of an in-person workshop, a performance of Tartuffe and a follow-up online workshop.

In a new adaptation by Frank McGuinness, Molière’s 17th century classic has been updated to an Irish setting and will embrace the comedy’s humour and farce in which the villainous Tartuffe shocks and enthrals with his deceptive powers.

A key part of Tartuffe: Text to Performance includes attending a performance of the Abbey Theatre’s production of Tartuffe, directed by Abbey Theatre artistic director, Caitríona McLaughlin.

Tartuffe: Text to Performance offers opportunities to:

  •    explore how a play in performance communicates its message to an audience.
  •    collaborate, share ideas and reflect in a safe, supportive environment.
  •    experience practical and creative methodologies that may be used in professional classroom practice.

As Tartuffe is an Abbey Theatre touring production, Tartuffe: Text to Performance  is being they offered in Donegal and Cork.

Participants will register for ONE of these locations.

DONEGAL : 

Saturday 6th May 2023:

Workshop: 10.30am – 1:00pm, Perfomance: 2:30pm

 An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny

Monday 8th May 2023: 

Online Workshop: 6:00pm – 7:00pm

 

CORK : 

Saturday 13th May 2023:

Workshop 10.30am – 1:00pm

Cork Education Support Centre

Performance 2.30pm

Cork Opera House

Monday 15th May 2023:

Online Workshop: 6:00pm – 7:00pm

 

Spaces are limited to a maximum of 20 participants for each workshop venue. A waiting list will apply. Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie

CLOSING DATES FOR REGISTRATIONS: Friday 28 April at 4.30pm (Donegal) and Friday 5 May (Cork) or prior to these dates if the workshops have reached capacity.

!!!! Schools are invited to The Race – a new theatre show at The Ark

The Ark

Dates: Thursday 18th May and Friday 19th May

An exciting new dance piece for children aged 4+ inspired by Aesop’s Fables, presented by The Ark, Dublin Dance Festival and Arts & Disability Ireland.

From acclaimed international choreographer, Marc Brew, The Race entwines three of Aesop’s Fables to create a fun, interactive and colourful world of animals, puppets, theatre and movement.

Cheer with the cast of animals as the Tortoise and the Hare set off for the finish line, join the Grasshopper in gazing with fascination as the Ants collect food for the winter ahead, and root for the little Mouse as she faces down the mighty Lion! Watch as their journeys unfold through beautiful movement and dance, and share in the lessons they learn along the way.

The Race will make its World Premiere as part of Dublin Dance Festival 2023. Presented by a cast of disabled and non-disabled dance artists, all performances have been created to offer an inclusive audience experience. The show is relaxed in nature and welcomes children who are neurodiverse.

School Day Performances
Previews – Thursday 18th May, 10.15am & 12.15pm and Friday 19th May, 10.15am

Fri 19 May, 12.15pm

Schools’ Tickets: €6.50 (€5 Early Bird** if booked by 21 April). Teachers go free.

Book your tickets here: https://ark.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873634148

!!!! Creative Ireland – A Creative Future Progress Report

Creative Ireland

Creative Ireland have released their 2022 progress report A Creative Future, highlighting their initiatives throughout the year, including progress made under the Creative Youth Plan. Published in December 2017, the aims of the Creative Youth Plan are to give every child practical access to tuition, experience and participation in art, music, drama and coding by 2022.

Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, was delighted to announce the project will be extended until 2027.

Under the project 185 new schools and Youthreach facilities joined the Creative Schools programme. This includes the addition of four schools in alternative settings which will receive enhanced supports: Oberstown Children Detention Campus School; Ballydowd High Support Special School; Crannog Nua Special School, Portrane; and St Canice’s Special School, Limerick.

Other highlights include :

To read the progress report in full see : https://report2022.creativeireland.gov.ie/

To read more about the first 5 years of Creative Youth, see https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/app/uploads/2022/08/Creative-Youth-Plan-2017-2022.pdf

!!!! Creative Associate Opportunities with Creative Schools

The Arts Council’s Creative Associates

Deadline: 12 mid-day, Tuesday 18th April 2023

Creative Schools is delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for artists, creative practitioners and individuals working in organisations in the arts and cultural sector.

The Arts Council wish to engage between 100 and 120 Creative Associates to work in up to 400 schools across the Republic of Ireland. Creative Associates are artists or creative practitioners with a deep understanding of creativity and its potential to transform the lives of children and young people. They are key to the success of the Creative Schools initiative. Individuals or organisations that wish to nominate an individual may apply for this opportunity.

Full details on the services and how to apply are available https://www.artscouncil.ie/creative-associate-opportunities/

Applications must be completed and submitted by 12 mid-day on Tuesday 18 April 2023.

!!!! Opportunity for Schools: The Safer Internet Day Awards Art Competition

Webwise / PDST Technology in Education

Deadline: Friday, 21st April

The Safer Internet Day Awards are back and this year a special new category has been added for budding creatives.

NEW: Art Competition with special guest judge; Irish artist – Maser. Be in with a chance to have your work exhibited in a gallery! Simply design a poster under the Safer Internet Day theme Respect and Empathy Online.

Categories for Primary:

1st and 2nd Class | 3rd and 4th Class | 5th and 6th Class

Categories for Post-Primary:

1st and 2nd Year | Transition Year | 5th and 6th Year

How to submit your entry:

Post your entry to: Webwise / PDST Technology in Education, Innovation House DCU Alpha, Old Finglas Rd, Dublin 11, D11 KXN4

Include the following information: Name, school, teacher’s contact details, category you are entering, and a brief description of the poster.

For full details on the competition see https://www.webwise.ie/saferinternetday/competition/art-competition/

!!!! Artist Opportunity: Baboró International Arts Festival for Children

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children

Deadline: Midnight, Monday 10th April

Baboró are inviting applications from multidisciplinary artists with experience working with children for Creating Space, a two-year collaborative project with a Galway primary school that will begin this summer and conclude in 2025.

This is an opportunity for experienced multidisciplinary and performing artists who are passionate about the positive impact the creative arts can make on young lives. The selected artist will design and deliver a plan for creative classroom engagements and activities which will take place from autumn 2023 until spring 2025.

The deadline to apply is Monday 10 April.

To make an application, please visit: https://www.baboro.ie/news-events/creating-space-artist-open-call

If you would like to find out more about Creating Space, you can join Baboró for an online information session via Zoom on Tuesday 21 March at 3pm.  RSVP to receive the Zoom link here: https://forms.gle/aCZk1KuYQYW3STkF6

!!!! The FÍS Film Project Awards 2023 – Winners Announced

FÍS Film Awards 2023

Cappawhite National School in Tipperary have been crowned winners of ‘FÍS Film of the Year’ at the FÍS Film Awards 2023, which have taken place at The Helix, DCU, Dublin.

The movie, entitled ‘The Christmas Truce of 1914’ recounts the fabled ceasefire between British and German soldiers on the Western Front during World War I. It also scooped the Outstanding Cinematography prize. The FÍS Film Awards 2023 recognises the creative talents of primary school children across Ireland.

The Awards, hosted by RTE’s Sinead Kennedy, is a collaboration between the Institute of Art, Design and Technology and the Professional Development Service for Teachers It was devised as a grassroots initiative to nurture Ireland’s future moviemaking talent by encouraging them to devise, develop, produce, and submit their short films for consideration in a range of categories. The event was co-produced by students of IADT’s National Film School and streamed live on the official FÍS website.

Some other 2023 winners include :

Commenting on this year’s awards, FÍS Manager from The Institute of Art, Design & Technology, Bernadette Meagher said:  “The judges had a tough task at this year’s event, the standard and ambition of the entries was so high, not to mention the creativity. We congratulate every one of the children involved, along with their teachers, on their well-deserved awards……”

 



!!!! Early Insights Review of the Junior Cycle Visual Art

National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)

Deadline: 31st March, 5pm

NCCA is seeking the views of a range of parties, including education stakeholders, practising teachers and students who are interested in contributing to this Early Insights Review. There are several ways to participate in the consultation: 

These focus groups will take place during the day from 10:30am – 1:00pm. Places are limited and registration remains open until one week in advance of each focus group. 

This review process will close on Friday, 31st March at 5pm. 

For more information see : https://ncca.ie/en/junior-cycle/curriculum-developments/visual-art/

!!!! National Museum of Ireland: Schools Spring 2023 Programme

National Museum of Ireland (NMI)

The National Museum of Ireland (NMI) is inviting schools and teachers across Ireland to spring into culture and heritage with a new programme of tours, activities and resources for onsite and online engagement.

The museum has just launched a diverse range of events across four public sites in Dublin and Mayo. Activities include virtual tours, guided tours, self-guided visits, workshops, classroom resources, video resources, wordsearches, arts and crafts and more.

The curriculum-linked programme aims to spark curiosity, stimulate discussion and encourage cultural and heritage engagement through our national collections.

All schools visits are free but must be booked in advance as capacity is limited and varies from site to site.

Here are some of the highlights of the upcoming schedule.

Orienteering Workshop / Post Primary

Learn some basic map reading and navigation skills and complete an orienteering course around the grounds of the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life at Turlough Park in Co Mayo. Booking is required.

PRIMARY / Classroom activity: Ice Age Ireland – Cool Fossils

Use these curriculum-linked activity sheets and video resource to learn more about Ice Age Ireland. In this museum activity, find out about Ice Age Ireland, learn about fossils and the different kinds of animals that lived on your doorstep thousands of years ago.

For the full programme of activities go to https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/News/Schools-programme-2023