Finding Creativity in the Classroom – A Practical Guide for Artists

Finding Creativity in the Classroom
by Bernadette Larkin

Finding Creativity in the Classroom, developed by Bernadette Larkin as part of a Master’s in Education, offers a practical and reflective guide for artists working in primary school settings.

The guide draws on the experience of artists working on Creativity in the Classroom, an arts in schools project working with children across the Canal Community, Dublin 8, since 1997, along with Bernadette’s own experience as a creative practitioner in arts, education and community. It grew out of a research Master’s in Education in Maynooth University and over three decades of practice across a range of art forms with artists of all disciplines.

As Project Manager of ArkLink in Fatima Mansions, (an initiative of The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children), Bernadette spent over six years developing and managing a multidisciplinary arts programme. There she became aware of the incredible Creativity in the Classroom project as children moved between ArkLink and school, developing fluency with materials and art forms. Later, as Head of Education & Programmes in Airfield Estate, she designed arts and education programmes linked to the natural world.

Finding Creativity in the Classroom aims to support artists wishing to develop their practice in primary schools. While the guide is primarily geared towards programmes where artists have time to build relationships with children and teachers, many of the ideas and approaches explored here will also be relevant and useful for once-off workshops.

Creativity in the Classroom was a recipient of a Portal Documentation Award in 2025. View their story here

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