The aim of the Blast Project is to provide students in primary and post-primary schools across the country with the opportunity to collaborate with professional artists on unique, creative projects. These projects are planned and developed jointly by the artist, the teacher, and the school, ensuring that each experience is tailored and designed to fit the school’s particular needs.
Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers
The Department of Education and Youth is pleased to announce BLAST Creativity and Arts in Education Residency 2026/2027 applications are now open
BLAST Creativity & Arts in Education Residency 2026/2027 apply online https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=YFK3hvCbGE2nlK37UAGLvJAzhLS8-ZNJq_oU7i6EdXtUNFdVMFJQTkszVDBMVkRJSFFBRFRQT09NVS4u&route=shorturl
The closing date for receipt of applications is 20th April 2026.
Please contact National Arts in Education, Tralee Education Support Centre for queries or support, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Eligibility:
- All schools in receipt of capitation grants from the Department of Education and Youth or Education and Training Boards (ETBs) can apply for BLAST.
- Schools participating in Creative Clusters, Creative Schools, Creative Connections, I am Creative or TAP+ can apply for BLAST.
- Fee Paying Schools are not eligible to apply for BLAST Residencies. Schools that are not in the free-education scheme cannot apply for BLAST.
BLAST is an initiative of the Department of Education and Youth, under the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027. It is led by and in partnership with the 21 full-time Education Centres Ireland.
BLAST 2026/27 Application Form
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Wexford BLAST Register of Artists and Creative Practitioners
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Sheila Forsey
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Creative writing skills, Local History story telling, Literature, Playwriting, embracing heritage into storytelling |
www.joeceol.ie
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Trish Middleton
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Visual Artist working mainly with textiles |
www.trishmiddleton.art
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Brendan Fahy
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Circus and juggling workshops for all ages |
www.jugglerbrendan.com/teaching
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Therese Dalton
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Creating short films throuhg scriptwriting, acting,filming nad recording sound with a screening at the end. |
www.youtube.com/wexfordyouthfilm |
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Oenone( Nonie)Stafford
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Calligraphy, hand-lettering, mural art, illustration: bringing language to life and creating visual narratives using traditional and contempory techniques |
www.blossominkstudio.com
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| Caroline Bergin |
Visual Artist |
www.carolineberginart.com |
| Anne Manning |
Clay building and sculptural technique. Paint/collage/found objects creating form within 2D/3D realm. Creating 3D/2D self expression and sustainable experiences |
www.facebook.com/annemanningartist/
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| Elke Williams |
Trained Art teacher and ceramic Artist. Ceramics ,Sculpture and Mosiac. Harvesting and processing of wild clay for site specific use. |
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wP6S26fT5pbghftJnZJtbUv5IKjX2jr9/view?usp=share_link |
| Karen Dempsey |
Specialising in painting,large scale murals and printmaking using the creative process to foster inclusivity and freedom of expression |
@kazartwex.instagram.com |
| Lynn Haughton |
Reimagining ‘waste materials’ Mostly focusing on Fast Fashion, textiles and plastics. Creative thinking and materials exploration. Experimentation, process and fun focused. Creating textile artworks while learning new skills to do with fabric, fi bre and discovering creative possibilities in textile ‘waste’ |
www.theupcyclemovement.com https://www.instagram.com/lynn_haughton_/ |
| Mirona Mara |
Drawing and illustration Ceramic and Clay work stop motion animation/video |
www.mironamara.com |
| Helen Flanagan |
Filmmaking: Using Storytelling, drama, camera and editing skills to create narrative films. Radio Making and multidisciplinary Arts includine Zine making |
www.helenflanaganfilm.com |
| John Busher |
Painting,Drawing,Printmaking,Ceramics/sculpture ,Installation |
johnbusher.ie |
| Sheena Furlong |
I am a visual artist working from my own studio in Kilmuckridge.I work on my own projects and commissions and also teach both adults and children within the studio. This includes holding an annual exhibition for the student.I exhibit both locally in Wexford and in the studio. |
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| Joe Brennan |
Traditional Storyteller: developing storytelling skills and growing confidence to tell to an audience, with the help of storyboards, drama and props. |
www.taletradition.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk5EGbcM-bE&t=138s |
| Peter McCamley |
Theatre and Music. Storytelling through drama,music, film and songwriting |
https://adpersonam-hub.github.io/peter-mccamley-portfolio/
https://adpersonam-hub.github.io/ad-personam/
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| Becci Whelan |
Dance Movemnt nad Meditation |
https://www.youtube.com/@2manydancemoves203 |
BLAST Residency Initiative - Arts & Creativity in Education 2025
Bringing Live Arts to Students & Teachers (BLAST) in Primary, Special and Post-Primary Schools and YouthReach Centres.
How will the BLAST Residency initiative work?
Education Support Centre: Schools and YouthReach centres apply for a BLAST Residency via a centralised online application link (see below) which will be processed by their local full-time ESC. The programme is nationally coordinated by the National Arts in Education office, Tralee Education Support Centre. Every local ESC has a BLAST Register of Artists & Creative Practitioners who are trained to deliver BLAST Residencies. The BLAST Register is arranged by artist / creative practitioner and discipline. It includes required training, examples of previous work and relevant experience in an educational and community context. Schools and YouthReach centres may apply for one of these creative practitioners to work with them in their school. In excess of 300 artists are currently trained and registered on the Register of Artists & Creative Practitioners managed by the ESCI network nationally. Local ESCs administer the payment for creative practitioners which removes the administrative burden on teachers and schools.
Garda Vetting:
Garda vetting for creative practitioners for BLAST Residencies is organised by the local ESC. Some schools may separately request that creative practitioners apply for Garda vetting specifically to work in their school.
Creative Practitioners will have completed Tusla Children First Training and submitted their certificate to the local ESC. Schools must follow and make creative practitioners aware of their school’s / centre’s Child Protection Procedures, Safeguarding Statement and Designated Liaison Person.
Artists & Creative Practitioners:
Creative practitioners on the BLAST Register of Artists & Creative Practitioners have been trained and have engaged in school residencies under the Teacher-Artist Partnership+ (TAP+) professional development initiative which is approved and led by the Department of Education.
Artists and creative practitioners from any creative discipline who have been trained in partnership working with schools will be registered with the 21 full-time ESCI. Artistic and creative disciplines include visual arts, crafts, music, dance, drama, literature, heritage and film. Creative disciplines will be expanded as the residency programme develops over the next number of years.
Schools & YouthReach Centres:
Schools and YouthReach Centres that apply for BLAST:
● Must be in the catchment of a local full-time Education Support Centre.
● Fee Paying Schools are not eligible to apply for BLAST Residencies.
● Schools that are not in the free-education scheme cannot apply for BLAST.
● Schools in receipt of capitation grants from the Department of Education or Education and Training Boards scheme can apply for BLAST.
● Each School may submit only one application.
● Schools/Centres make their own selection of creative practitioners on the BLAST Register of Artists & Creative Practitioners.
● Please note that schools may not always be partnered with their choice of artist or creative practice - this is due to practitioner availability and demand.
Once a school / centre is approved for a BLAST Residency, the school has a commitment to the creative practitioner, who will have earmarked time for the project and could potentially turn down other work in favour of the Residency.
BLAST Arts & Creativity in Education Residency Funding:
The artist’s fee is €1,100 per residency. This is funded by the Department of Education via the ESCI network. Local ESCs pay the creative practitioner in accordance with agreed guidelines after the artist and teacher/school project completion processes have been submitted. In certain instances, this may include the payment of two installments of €550 with the prior agreement of the ESC and creative practitioner.
The artist / creative practitioner will be funded for 20 contact hours, including 6 hours for planning/development/evaluation. Participating schools must pay for materials associated with the project and also for any fees relating to documentation of the project (photographs, film, recording etc) and any other costs involved including insurance costs. Funded residencies can be delivered throughout the academic year commencing in September in the year the residency was approved.
Schools must acknowledge the Department of Education, Creative Ireland, their local ESC and National Arts in Education office in publicity relating to the project.
Current List of Available TAP Trained Artists 2024-2025
Name
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Art Form
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Website
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| Helen Flanagan |
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Film, Animation, Radio Making, Socially Engaged Art. |
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| Anita Mahon |
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Music |
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www.anitamahon.com |
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| Tony McCleaneFay |
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Drama, Theatre & Film - specialising in devising new issue or curriculum based work with young people. |
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https://www.barecheek.net |
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| Brendan Fahy/Juggler Brendan |
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Circus skills & juggling |
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https://www.jugglerbrendan.com/ |
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| Brid Colloton |
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Printmaking, Textiles, drawing. |
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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mE29V5xelEK5_6QRImQVVrStouIz5vMW/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111328606671143363129&rtpof=true&sd=true |
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| Lynn Haughton |
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My practice focuses on reimagining and repurposing waste materials. This may be to create art, sculptures, products or upcycled fashion. |
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www.theupcyclemovement.com |
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| Nonie Stafford |
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Mural Art, Calligraphy, Illustration |
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blossominkstudio.com |
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| Sonya Weston |
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Printing, photography, film, murals, sculpture and installation |
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| Sheila Forsey |
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Creative writing skills, Local History story telling, Literature, Playwriting, embracing heritage into storytelling |
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https://www.sheilaforsey.com/ |
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| Trish Middleton |
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Textile art, murals, |
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Www.trishmiddletonart.com |
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| Niki Keane |
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Visual Art - Assemblage art using junk and broken items. |
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www.nikikeaneart.ie |
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| Caroline Busher |
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Creative Writing & Poetry |
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www.carolinebusher.wordpress.com |
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| Lani O' Hanlon |
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Creative Writing, Poetry, Story, Memoir, with Performance and Movement. |
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https://www.poetryireland.ie/education/writers-directory/lani-ohanlon |
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| Kate Murphy |
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Painting, Drawing, Sculpture |
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| Mirona Mara |
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Drawing, Illustration, Reramics |
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www.mironamara.com |
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| John Busher |
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Visual Arts, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking |
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www.johnbusher.ie |
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| Nadia Corridan |
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Strongest in Drawing & Painting. As well as drawing through mix media’s printmaking, Sun Printing, Fabric Textile Stitching Collage . |
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www.nadiacorridan.ie |
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BLAST Timeline
Opening date for applications 19th March 2024
Closing date for applications 10th May 2024
Announcement of successful BLAST Residencies Late May 2024
Residencies can begin September 2024
Initiative completion and review Mid May 2025
Applications will open on 19th March 2024. The closing date is 10th May 2024.
Blast 2022-2023
We had a hugely successful BLAST Programme in 2022-2023. Wexford Education Support Centre hosted our largest BLAST to date with over 40 schools and 12 artists involved in the initiative. The feedback from artists and schools was hugely positive with all enjoying and gaining from the experience.
Below please find the list of schools and artists, some samples of the work and some of the feedback received have also been included to give you a taste of the BLAST programme.
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School
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Artist
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1.
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Our Lady of Lourdes NS
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Anita Mahon
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2.
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Colaiste Abbain
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Anita Mahon
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3.
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Bunscoil Ris – New Ross
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Caroline Busher
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4.
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St. Michaels NS- Borris
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Colum Kavanagh
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5.
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Piercestown NS
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Colum Kavanagh
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6.
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Kilnamanagh NS
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Colum Kavanagh
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7.
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Bunclody Vocational College
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Colum Kavanagh
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8.
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Carnew NS
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Heather Hadrill
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9.
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Star of the Sea NS
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Heather Hadrill
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10.
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Gorey Educate Together Secondary School
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Heather Hadrill
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11.
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All Saints Carnew NS
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Helen Flanagan
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12.
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Scoil Naisiunta Phadraig Naofa, Avoca
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Helen Flanagan
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13.
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Ballon NS
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Helen Flanagan
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14.
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Wexford Educate Together
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Jenni Roddy
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15.
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St. Annes NS - Rathangan
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Joe Brennan
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16.
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St. Patricks’s NS – Crossabeg
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Joe Brennan
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17.
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Galbally NS
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John Busher
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18.
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Ballaghkeane NS
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John Busher
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19.
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Bunscoil Loreto
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Lynn Haughton
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20.
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Kennedy College New Ross
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Colum Kavanagh
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21.
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Scoil Ghormain Naofa castletown – Gorey
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Colum Kavanagh
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22.
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St. Catherines NS – Ballyhack
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Nonie Stafford
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23.
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Monageer NS
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Nonie Stafford
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24.
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St. Garvans NS – Taghmon
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Nonie Stafford
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25.
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Cushinstown NS
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Nonie Stafford
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26.
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Meanscoil Gharmain
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Nonie Stafford
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27.
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Ramsgrange Community College
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Nonie Stafford
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28.
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Scoil Mhuire – Coolcots
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Colum Kavanagh
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29.
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St. Iberius NS
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Sheila Forsey
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30.
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Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhoir
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Sheila Forsey
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31.
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Ballyoughter NS
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Sheila Forsey
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32.
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Scoil Naomh Brid
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Sheila Forsey
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33.
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Colaiste Eamonn Ris
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Sonya Weston
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34.
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Kildavin NS
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Sonya Weston
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35.
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St Marys CBS Enniscorthy
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Sonya Weston
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36.
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St Patricks NS - Rathvilly
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Sonya Weston
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37.
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St Aidans Parish School
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Sonya Weston
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38.
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St Mary Secondary School New Ross
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Sonya Weston
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39.
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St Laserians NS
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Sonya Weston
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40.
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Scoil Naomh Abbain
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Colum Kavanagh
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41.
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Ballycullane NS
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Colum Kavanagh
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Below we would love to show you some samples of the work from a selection of artists.
Artist: Anita Mahon
School: Colaiste Abbain
No of Children involved in the residency:70
Art Form: Music
Brief outline of the Residency:
Students gained a deeper understanding of how voice works by experiencing Estill Vocal Anatomy based techniques. The objective was to improve students confidence when using voice in spoken communication and signing whilst emphasising a non- judgemental approach where each voice is heard and it’s uniqueness embraced. Group enjoyed diverse body and voice warms ups as well as short energiser songs alongside more complex three harmony part pop song arrangements in a fun, inclusive atmosphere.
Credit: Anita Mahon and Colaiste Abbain
Artist: Caroline Busher
School: Bunscoil Ris
No of Children involved in the residency: 60
Art Form: Creative Writing:
Brief outline of the Residency:
“The residency was a wonderful experience, which focussed on creative writing. During the first week I told the students stories from Irish Myths and Legends. We
discussed how animals often appear in Irish Myths and legends and the history of Wolves in Ireland. The students created their own mythical creatures. We then discussed the Hook Lighthouse and they wrote a story based around discovering a mythical creature in the hook lighthouse. The next week, the students created comic strips based on the stories that they wrote the previous week. It was a great way for the students to incorporate writing and art and to consider visual storytelling. For week three the students imagined that they were the characters in the stories that they wrote poems from the characters perspective. They all
read their poems out to the rest of the class. For week four I showed the students pictures of Irish fairy forts and the Irish superstitions related to the fairies. The students wrote stories about entering a fairy kingdom and they each drew a map of their imaginary fairy kingdoms. They then created their own blackout poetry. On week five I taught the students about the Great Famine and the impact it had on Ireland. I showed them pictures of a replica famine ship, that is local to them in New Ross, they all wrote stories and diary entries about life onboard a famine ship and a journey to America. They also drew illustrations and comic strips to accompany their stories. On the sixth week, the students wrote poems and raps about the poem in groups. Then each group performed their poem or rap in front of the class. We were delighted as the Director of County Wexford Education Centre, Lorraine O’Gorman, joined us for this workshop.”
Credit: Caroline Busher & Bunscoil Ris
Artist: Colum Kavanagh
School: Picercestown NS
No of Children involved in the residency:66
Art Form: Comic Book Story Telling
Learning outcomes for participating students:
“Students in the workshops explored and practiced key aspects of creative writing such as genre, character creation, setting the scene, creating plots, climax and resolutions. In relation to comic book storytelling in particular, students then learned about page and panel breakdowns, thumbnailing page layouts, the use of dialogue balloons and captions, and the functions of panels and panel shape and design. Using the concepts and tools they learned about through shorter activities and games, students created their own short comic book stories, completing every part of the process for a short two- or three-page comic book story. Over the course of the workshops, students also: Improved their knowledge of creative writing in general Learned about visual storytelling as it can apply to storyboarding for film, animation, video games and comic books Improved their appreciation and understanding of some of the nuances of comic books as an art form. Learned about the importance of doing ‘rough work’ while working on any creative project. The students learned about the different types of pictures they could include in their comics and the advantages of each one – close up, mid range and long shot. Throughout this residency, the students gained insight into the comic-book-creation process and learned how to apply this process to their own original creative stories. The students were actively engaged with Colum in each session, sharing personal insights, ideas, thoughts and responses with one another, as well as actively listening to Colum throughout the duration of the residency. They were relaxed and at ease in his company and were comfortable asking questions and seeking advice or assistance when needed. The students were given the confidence and skills to go on and try their hand at comic writing again. The project also raised awareness and interest in comics in general, introducing this genre to some children who had not previously read comics.”
Credit: Colum Kavanagh & Piercestown NS
Artist: Heather Hadrill
School: Star of the Sea Riverchapel NS
No of Children involved in the residency:22
Art Form: Drama
Please give a brief outline of the Residency:
“Participation in Drama games and techniques and then to present two small plays from “Irish Myths and Legends” , by Julie Meighan to an audience, following 7 visits to the school by the artist. The plays presented were “The Salmon of Knowledge” and “Fionn and the Dragon”.;
Credit: Heather Hadrill & Star of the Sea Riverchapel NS
Artist: John Busher
School: Galbally NS
No of Children involved in the residency: Whole School
Art Form: Collage, Drawing, Mural Painting
Please give a brief outline of the Residency: The residency was made in response to a request for a mural within the school. Following a visit to the school there was a discussion about where the mural should be painted. The possibility of painting in the corridor was considered, but was perhaps too narrow and may involve taking down display boards. Having looked at the school grounds, it was decided to paint the old pump house. This is a square structure measuring almost 3 meters on all sides. Following an initial discussion, it was also decided to focus on local heritage as a starting point of the project, as the traces of history in the area stretch back to the Neolithic period.
Credit: John Busher & Galbally NS
Artist: Lynn Haughton
School: Bunscoil Loreto
No of Children involved in the residency: 80
Art Form: Collage, Drawing, Mural Painting
Please give a brief outline of the residency: The BLAST Residency took place over 3 weeks at Bunscoil Loreto. Three 4th class groups participated. Two classes had 27 students and the third had 26 students. The focus of the creative residency was on imagination and reimagining ‘waste’ materials. The workshops consisted of a mix of individual and group creative challenges as well as discussions and creating art works.
What worked well during the residency: I think the mix of discussions, individual and group projects worked well and kept the students engaged and challenged. I also think that breaking the sessions into 3 classes worked very well. I feel that the creative meditations also worked very well and set a lovely tone from the start of each class.
Credit: Lynn Haughton & Bunscoil Loreto
Artist: Nonie Stafford
School: Cushinstown Ns
No of Children involved in the residency: Whole School – 166 Pupils
Art Form: Mural Art
Brief outline of the Residency: The students began by brainstorming words, symbols and imagery that were significant to them and their time spent in school. The final piece was An outdoor mural which gives a glimpse of life at Cushinstown National School.
Credit: Nonie Stafford & Cushinstown NS
Artist: Sheila Forsey
School: St Iberius NS
No of Children involved in the residency:91
Art Form: Creative Writing
Brief outline of the Residency: Sheila is a novelist and playwright, and the lead teacher was the principal Sarah Meyler. After initial talks and a meeting, it was jointly decided that Sheila would deliver a series of workshops in creative writing with the option for the school to publish a book to commemorate the school being sixty years old. With the time frame involved it was soon decided to have a showcase of the children’s work instead of an actual book. This project was only possible because of the collaboration, training and support of Wexford Education Centre.
Artist Observation
This was a project that was very much about the process rather than the end result which I feel is very rewarding on all counts. I found all the teachers so welcoming and encouraging and insightful. . I am extremely appreciate of their support and their welcome. I would also like to give a very special thank you to Wexford Education Centre for their support and training and for connecting me to this lovely school. – Sheila
Teacher Observation
The project was an enjoyable experience for the children and staff. It was lovely to see so much interaction between the pupils in the classes during the workshops. The school is very grateful to have been involved with the project with Sheila. Thanks to the Education Centre for facilitating this.
Credit: Sheila Forsey & St. Iberius NS
The above gives just a small samples of the wonderful collaboration that was carried out. The Blast was a resounding success and enjoyed by students, teachers and artists. All expressed an interest in partaking in more programmes in the future.
Announcing a wonderful opportunity for Artists (all art forms/creative practises) / Creative Practitioners to broaden their practice, receive training and project fees, develop creative partnerships with teachers, and transform the lives of children in every County in Ireland
CALL OUT FOR ARTISTS / CREATIVE PRACTITIONERS for 3rd to 7th July 2023 The TEACHER-ARTIST PARTNERSHIP+ CPD programme (TAP+)
FULLY PAID TRAINING AND IN-SCHOOL RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS / CREATIVE PRACTITIONERS TO WORK WITHIN PRIMARY SCHOOL SETTINGS & AND DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS WITH CREATIVE TEACHERS
– Open to artists / creative practitioners, working in any art form / creative practise, who are committed to sharing their practice with children and teachers in a modern primary school environment
– Specialist, week-long training (3rd – 7th July 2023 based in Wexford Education Support Centre to prepare the artist / creative practitioner for the unique requirements of working harmoniously in partnership with a teacher within the modern Irish classroom
– A training allowance of €150 per day over the initial 5-day training/induction week (€750 in total), plus travel with daily lunch provided.
– Brokerage and development of partnerships with creative teachers, in schools committed to contemporary arts learning, practice and creativity.
– Guarantee of a paid, follow up in-school-residency within a local primary school (€1,100 Fee total inclusive of €200 Travel) to carry out a 20-hour project (14 contact hours plus 6 hours planning, preparation and evaluation) in partnership with your teacher partner throughout the 2023/2024 academic year
– Artists / Creative Practitioners are required to complete at least one or two TAP+ in-school Residencies following participation on the TAP+ Summer Course.
– As you will be a TAP+ trained artist/creative practitioner, you will also be eligible to participate in the forthcoming 2023/2024 BLAST in-school residencies. If you are available, we would be obliged if you could complete at least one or two BLAST in-school Residencies. Please use the following link for more information on the BLAST initiative: BLAST Information
– Information, learning and networking opportunities for further freelance work within the education system.
Artists / Creative Practitioners must
- have a track record of a minimum of three years’ professional practice in any art form / creative practise
- demonstrate an interest in / commitment to: the principles of Arts and Creativity in Education and to enhancing the lives of children through arts/creative practice
- be willing to learn about modern classroom culture and to work in equal partnership with teachers
- Combine a sense of fun, joy and collaboration with professional dedication and high artistic/creative vision
- Be willing to undertake child protection training as part of the induction week, and undergo standard Garda vetting before taking up project
Artists / Creative Practitioners can apply to be part of the scheme via expressions of interest along with an application. These should be sent to the Director of Wexford Education Support Centre: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 5pm on Friday 23rd June 2023.
Expressions of interest should be in the form of a letter of max 600 words, accompanied by a CV or short Bio with links to images or samples of relevant work.
The letter should set out:
- Where you trained
- A very brief description of your practice
- Why you might wish to work in partnership with a teacher and with children in a school setting
- What you think qualifies you to take up this opportunity
Places on this national Creative Ireland CPD initiative are limited to four Artists / Creative Practitioners per full-time Education Support Centre area. Final decision on offers of places will be taken by the Director of Wexford Education Support Centre in collaboration with the Wexford Local Authority Arts Office. Any queries in relation to the Teacher Artist Partnership+ CPD Summer Course should be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Arts in Education Residency Initiative in Primary and Post-primary Schools
The Department of Education is announcing the launch of the 2023 Arts-in- Education BLAST Residency Programme, which will enable up to 425 new Arts-in- Education Residencies in schools each year.
This initiative aims to support the integration of the principles and key skills outlined in the Arts in Education Charter and the Creative Ireland Programme (2023-2027), Pillar 1 Creative Youth.
The aim of this scheme is to give pupils in schools all over the country the opportunity to work with a professional artist on unique projects to be originated and planned between the artist, the teacher and the school under the coordination of the Education Support Centres Ireland ESCI network of 21 full-time education support centres. This initiative supports children and young people for the future, where skills like the ability to connect and collaborate with others, engage in creative and critical thinking and practice inclusivity at every level will be paramount to peace, stability, sustainable economic growth and equality.
What is proposed is a unique streamlined process whereby schools apply for an artist on the Online Register of Approved Artists who are already trained for the new BLAST Arts-in-Education Residency Programme managed by the local education support centre. The education support centre will also pay the artist which will further remove the administrative burden on teachers and schools.
How will this BLAST Residency initiative work?
The Education Support Centre:
While the programme will be nationally co-ordinated by the Arts in Education administrative base located at the Tralee Education Support Centre, schools will apply for a BLAST Arts-in-Education Residency to the full-time education support centre in their area, based on the Online Register of Approved Artists. The register of approved artists in each education support centre will be arranged by artist and art- form/discipline, include relevant required and approved training experience, examples of previous work and examples of relevant or related experience in an educational and community context.
In excess of 412 artists are currently trained and registered on the Online Register of Approved Artists managed by the education support centre network nationally. All artists will have submitted their Child Safeguarding Best Practice Policy (to include Child Safeguarding Statement) and their Certificate of completion of the Children First Training module to the education support centre.
What is proposed is a unique streamlined process when schools apply for an artist under the new BLAST Arts-in-Education Residency Programme. The education support centre will also arrange for payment of the artist, which will further remove the administrative burden on teachers and schools.
Garda vetting:
Garda vetting for artists for successful school applications will be organised with the individual artist by the education support centre in collaboration with the school.
Schools may separately (if they wish) request the artist to apply for Garda vetting specifically to work in their school.
The Artists:
Artists from any artistic discipline who have been trained in partnership working with schools will be registered with each of the 21 full-time ESCI centres. Artistic disciplines include visual arts, crafts, music, dance, drama, literature and film.
Creative disciplines will be expanded as the residency programme develops further over the next number of years.
The artists on the Register of Approved Artists will have been previously trained and have engaged in school residencies under the Teacher-Artist Partnership CPD and Residency initiative or the Arts in Junior Cycle Programme which are both approved and led by the Department of Education.
The School:
The schools must be in the catchment of the local full-time education support centre. Schools may submit only one application. Schools should make their own selection of artists on the Approved Register, based on CVs/examples of recent work, training and recommendations. Inclusion of artists on the Approved Register is based on training in the education support centre (TAP) in addition to suitability/artistic qualification etc. and has taken place in advance to ensure the selected artist satisfies school policies in relation to engagement of external personnel.
Once a school is approved for the scheme, the school has a commitment to the artist, who will have earmarked that time for the project and could potentially turn down other work at the times scheduled to work with the school.
BLAST
This initiative encourages:
- Schools, primary and post-primary, that have not recently had an opportunity to participate in such creative initiatives to apply.
- Schools supporting inclusion and enhanced arts-in-education engagement with students from disadvantaged backgrounds and students with special educational needs to apply.
- Schools that have a track record in teacher-artist partnership working in the classroom and school to apply.
· A whole-school commitment to the project, but it is a requirement that one teacher and class work with the artist in a teacher/artist/class partnership.
- Projects should have regard to the relevant school curricula where appropriate and have a focus on process.
BLAST Arts-in-Education Residency funding:
The artist’s fee is €1,100 per residency with up to €200 of that allocated to travel costs for the artist. This is funded by the Department of Education via each education support centre. The education support centre will pay the artist in accordance with agreed guidelines after the artist and teacher/school evaluations have been submitted and received. In certain instances, this may include the payment of two instalments of €550 with agreement.
The artist will be funded for 20 contact hours, including 6 hours planning/development/review time. Participating schools must pay for materials associated with the project and also for documentation of the project through photographs etc. and any other costs involved including insurance costs. If an artist needs to use their own materials for the project, please be advised the artist is
entitled to invoice the school (with the school’s prior approval) to cover the cost for these materials. Funded residencies can be delivered throughout the academic year commencing in September in the year the residency was approved.
Schools must acknowledge the Department of Education and the local education support centre in all publicity relating to the project.
Successful applications:
Successful schools will be required to sign a short contract with their local education support centre accepting the terms of the BLAST Arts-in-Education Residency Programme prior to the commencement of the residency. Successful residencies should not be started until official written notification to proceed has been received from the education support centre and once Garda vetting has been completed and this has been communicated to the school.
It is a specific condition of this residency programme that a teacher works closely and collaborates with the artist to plan the learning experience for their class. The assigned teacher is to be present at all times with the artist while working with students in the class in the school to enhance further teacher-artist partnership. Schools will be responsible for ensuring the residency complies with Public Health advice relevant at the time of the project.
Evaluation:
The education support centre will put in place the necessary evaluation for Arts-in- Education Residencies. This will include a school visit, completion and return of the Teacher/School Feedback Form and the Artist Feedback Form. The second instalment of the artist fee will be paid following the submission of the final reports.
Any images submitted by the school in reports on completion of the project may be used to promote the Department of Education approved and led Creative Youth initiative under the Creative Ireland 2023-2027 Programme through print and other media including social media. It is therefore important that the schools have permission for the use of such images, noting in the consent forms that they will be used for this purpose, and only send images to the education centre once parental consent has been obtained. A nationally approved Consent Form will be provided to each school.
Guidelines for Application:
Completed applications must include
- completed general information
- A completed application section outlining the following information:
- Theme of the project,
- Rationale for application,
- Benefits to teaching and learning,
- Capacity and commitment
- Children and young peoples
- Please also indicate the planned time-frame schedule and planned method of documentation for the project.
- The application should demonstrate a whole school commitment to the project. It is a specific condition of this residency programme that a teacher works closely and collaborates with the artist to plan the learning experience for their class and is present at all times with the artist while working with students in the class in the school to enhance further teacher-artist partnership. (This means that the whole school should be supportive and flexible in facilitating the project).
The closing date is 19th May 2023.
Please see Guidelines and Application Forms below:
BLAST 2023 Guidelines - English Version
BLAST 2023 Guidelines - Irish Version
BLAST 2023 Application Form - English Version
BLAST 2023 Application Form - Irish Version
Please return completed application forms to Blast Project, Wexford Education Support Centre, Milehouse Road, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
This initiative will be supported by the ESCI education support centre network, Teacher Artist Partnership CPD programme, Arts in Junior Cycle, NAPD Creative Engagement Programme and the Arts in Education Portal.
