!!!! 2026 Portal Spring Regional Day – Programme Announced

Arts in Education Portal

Date: Saturday 25 April 2026

The Arts in Education Portal team is delighted to announce the full programme for our Spring Regional Day on Saturday 25 April at the Garage Theatre, Monaghan. This event will showcase arts in education projects and creative practice in the North-East region.

We invite teachers, artists, educators, arts managers and anyone with an interest in arts in education in Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and beyond to join us for this free event. This is an opportunity to connect, share ideas, get inspired, join a fun creative workshop and explore best practices in arts and creativity in education.

Practitioners can learn more about the Portal and what it offers, tell us about their work and find out what opportunities or events are available in their local area.

The programme starts with two presentations in the morning: Mindful Transitions: Learning Through Creativity with artists Sally-Ann Duffy & Caroline Clarke; Waves And Wonders: A TAP+ Creative Project with artist Rebecca Maguire & teacher Oonagh Gilsenan.

Read more about the presentations here

In the afternoon, join us for some hands-on creativity with a choice between two exciting workshops. Come to Groovin’ Out! with musician Aidan Dunphy for a hands-on, interactive hand drumming session. Alternatively, join circus artist Maria Corcoran for playful circus skills and drama-based activities with Creativity through Circus. These workshops promise to be interactive, fun and informative!

Read more about the workshops here

How to Book

Tickets for the 2026 Spring Regional Day are free. It is essential to book in advance as capacity is limited.

Book your place at https://artsineducationPortalRegionalDay2026.eventbrite.ie

ISL interpretation is available on request. If you would like to request ISL interpretation, please email events@artsineducation.ie by Wednesday 15 April.

Schedule

10:00 — Registration & coffee

10:30 — Welcome & introduction: Portal team and Monaghan Education Centre.

10:50 — Presentation: Mindful Transitions: Learning Through Creativity with artists Sally-Ann Duffy & Caroline Clarke

11:35 — Presentation & Workshop: Waves And Wonders: A TAP+ Creative Project with artist Rebecca Maguire & teacher Oonagh Gilsenan

12:45 — Lunch & networking

13:45 – 15:00 — Parallel session: Choice between two creative workshops:

Groovin’ Out! with musician Aidan Dunphy for a hands-on, interactive hand drumming session.

or

Creativity through Circus with circus artist Maria Corcoran for playful circus skills and drama-based activities.

!!!! Call for Presentations and Creative Workshops: Portal Spring Regional Day 2026

Portal Spring Regional Day at Garage Theatre Monaghan on Saturday 25 April.
Deadline: 18 March, 5pm

Artists, teachers, academics and arts education professionals… Would you like to be part of the Portal Spring Regional Day? The Arts in Education Portal Team is seeking submissions for presentations and creative workshops for the Portal Spring Regional Day 2026 with a focus on the North-East Region. This regional event will take place on Saturday 25 April at the Garage Theatre, Monaghan.

The event aims to connect teachers, artists, arts managers and anyone with an interest in art and creativity in education based in the counties around Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Meath and Westmeath.

Practitioners can learn more about the Portal and what it offers, tell us about their work, connect with the community at regional level, share practice and find out what opportunities or events are available in their local area.

We are inviting proposals from organisations or individuals who are involved in arts and creative projects in education in the North-East, and who want to give 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.

The Portal team is also interested in proposals from arts and creativity in education projects involved in Shared Island Initiatives.

Criteria for selection of proposals:
The Arts in Education Portal team welcomes submissions of proposals for presentations and creative workshops that represent:

• Dynamic approaches,
• New ways of working,
• Presentations 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 regional spread,
• A range of art forms,
• Early years, primary, post-primary, YouthReach representation,
• Equal representation of both arts in education and creative sectors,
• A balance of practical and theoretical approaches.

All speakers and creative workshop facilitators should be based in the North-East Region (Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Meath and Westmeath) or connected to the North-East through Shared Island Initiatives.

The programme includes two project presentations with up to two presenters. Presenters who are freelance will receive a fee of €250 each with up to a maximum of 2 presenters per session.

Two creative workshops with one facilitator will be selected. Creative workshop facilitators will receive a fee of €425 (This fee comprises €250 for delivery and €175 for prep/materials). Maximum of 1 facilitator per workshop.

How to apply:
The deadline for submission of proposals is 5pm, 18 March 2026.
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

If you have any questions please get in touch by email to events@artsineducation.ie.