!!!! The 2025 National Arts in Education Portal Day – Roundup
National Arts in Education Portal Day 2025
On Saturday November 8th, we returned to the beautiful surroundings of the East Quad at TU Dublin for the 10th annual National Arts in Education Portal Day, in partnership with the School of Art & Design. With over 100 artists, teachers and arts in education professionals in attendance, this years conference saw a mix of presentations, smaller discussion-led sessions and creative workshops to inspire and explore best practices in arts and creativity in education.
The day was jointly opened by John Walsh, Head of School of Art and Design, TU Dublin and Jennifer Buggie, National Arts in Education, Tralee Education Support Centre and Arts in Education Portal Editorial Committee Member.
Jennifer opened the conference by celebrating 10 years of the Portal, highlighting its concrete and tangible examples of practice. She described the Portal as a strong foundation to build upon—a doorway into curiosity, relationality and creativity, where arts, science, culture and people connect in meaningful ways.
Professor John Johnston, UNESCO Chair of issues-based arts education at ArtEZ University of the Arts in the Netherlands delivered a stimulating keynote address. He introduced issues-based arts education, an approach that shifts attention from creating objects to engaging with people and their stories. He emphasised the idea of the artist educator, a single creative identity that dissolves the divide between artist and teacher.
‘Artist educator is one word. Art is education – and education is art’
Thanks to all involved in making the day a huge success! Special thanks to the young performers from Swords Youth Choir, conductor Mina Eusebio and accompanist Con Diamond who closed the day with a celebratory performance.
You can watch highlights for the day here:
National Arts in Education Portal Day 2025 – Podcast Series
Find Arts in Education on Acast or Spotify
Episode 1: Professor John Johnston, UNESCO Chair of issues-based arts education – Keynote Address
Episode 2: The Circus | Portal Documentation Award 2025 Recipient
Episode 3: From Harmonic to Chorus: Amplifying Student Voice through Creative STEAM Engagement
Episode 4: Little Woodland Heights | Portal Documentation Award 2025 Recipient
Episode 5: Victory Nwabu-Ekeoma, Igbo-Irish zinemaker, and founder of Bia! Zine | Rapporteur Address
National Arts in Education Portal Day in TU Dublin, November 2025. Photo: Ewa Figaszewska
!!!! Programme Announced for 2025 National Arts in Education Portal Day
We are delighted to announce the full programme for our 10th National Arts in Education Portal Day taking place on Saturday 8 November 2025 at East Quad, TU Dublin, in partnership with the School of Art and Design.
Keynote Speaker Professor John Johnston, UNESCO Chair of issues-based arts education at ArtEZ University of the Arts in the Netherlands will give the opening address. Originally from Belfast, John’s work is dedicated to developing creative and activistic pedagogies that address issues of division and conflict.
Throughout the day, participants can choose from a variety of thought-provoking presentations, discussions and hands-on creative workshops offered across three parallel sessions.
Some highlights include talks from our 2025 Portal Documentation recipients including The Circus, with St Mary’s Special School with Vocalist Deirdre Shannon, Art Teacher Ina Olohan and Teacher Siobhán Doughty; a creative workshop: XR Drawing & Sculpting for Creative Practice, Education and Youth Engagement, with Creative Technologist Barry “Hawkie” Haughey; and a presentation and discussion: From Harmonic to Chorus: Amplifying Student Voice through Creative STEAM Engagement, with Dr. Sharon Shannon and Writer – Researcher Adam Breen.
Join us for this vibrant, free event, designed for arts in education professionals to come together, spark new ideas, build connections, gain fresh insights and dive into innovative approaches to creativity in education.
Tickets for the 2025 National Arts in Education Portal Day are now sold out! If you have already booked a ticket but can no longer attend, please let us know by emailing events@artsineducation.ie so we can reallocate your ticket.
ISL interpretation is available on request. Please submit your request by 28 October.
For further enquiries please contact events@artsineducation.ie.
!!!! Professor John Johnston Announced As Keynote Speaker for 2025 National Arts In Education Portal Day
Save the date! The 2025 National Arts in Education Portal Day will be hosted at TU Dublin School of Art and Design on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
We are delighted to welcome keynote speaker Professor John Johnston, UNESCO Chair of issues-based arts education at ArtEZ University of the Arts in the Netherlands.
Originally from Belfast, John’s work is dedicated to developing creative and activistic pedagogies that address issues of division and conflict. He is particularly interested in exposing how art, culture and education are weaponised to form single identities based on class, race, and religious difference.
Later in the day, John will also facilitate a creative workshop ‘Introduction to Meaning Centred Education’.
Ticket bookings for the 2025 National Arts In Education Portal Day will open on Wednesday October 8. This free, full-day event brings together arts and education professionals to connect, share ideas, learn, network, get inspired and explore best practices in arts and creativity in education. Expect an inspirational mix of presentations, smaller discussion-led presentations and creative workshops.
For further inquiries, please contact events@artsineducation.ie.
!!!! Call for Presentations and Workshops – National Arts in Education Portal Day 2025
Arts in Education Portal
Deadline: 5pm, Wednesday 10 September
Are you an artist, teacher, academic or arts educator with something inspiring to share? Our 10th annual National Arts in Education Portal Day is happening on Saturday, 8th November 2025 in TU Dublin and we’d love to hear from you!
Taking place in partnership with TU Dublin School of Art and Design, the Arts in Education Portal National Day brings together members of Ireland’s vibrant arts in education and creative practice community – to connect, exchange ideas, get inspired and explore best practices.
The Arts in Education Portal Editorial Committee invites proposals from individuals and organisations interested in delivering engaging and dynamic presentations and workshops. Whether you’re sharing creative techniques, innovative approaches or thought-provoking insights – we would love to hear your perspective.
This year, the Portal Day will continue the special focus of ‘Amplifying All Voices’.
Criteria for selection of proposals:
The Arts in Education Portal Editorial Committee welcomes submissions of proposals for presentations and workshops that represent:
- Dynamic approaches
- New ways of working
- Presentations/ workshops that include children’s voices
- Work that represents a commitment to excellence
- Strong aesthetic and/or educational outcomes
Our selection of proposals will also be informed by a desire for:
- Good geographic national spread
- A range of art forms
- Early years, primary, post-primary and Youthreach representation
- Equal representation of both arts in education and creative sectors
- A balance of practical and theoretical approaches
How to apply:
The deadline for submission of proposals is 5pm, Wednesday 10th September.
Proposals should be submitted using Google Forms, click on links below to access the forms.
Submit a presentation proposal via Google Form
Submit a creative workshop proposal via Google Form
For further enquiries, contact editor@artsineducation.ie.