CFAs: Artist in Schools Scheme (Ireland)

The purpose of the Artist in Schools scheme is to enable primary and post-primary students and teaching staff to work collaboratively with an artist on a creative project over an extended period.

The scheme provides an opportunity for a school to carry out a project where the artistic and learning outcomes focus on nurturing the student’s creative imagination, critical thinking and collaborative skills, and the skills of the teaching staff involved.

The scheme aims to support projects that use a process-led approach to creativity, learning and teaching that is student-centered. Projects should involve children’s creativity and voice at every stage of the process. The aim is to support projects which show the impact of creativity on learning, development and wellbeing of participating students.

Focus Areas

• Projects can be in any art form:
  • Architecture
  • Circus and Spectacle
  • Dance
  • Film/Animation/Gaming/Digital Media Theatre
  • Literature
  • Opera
  • Traditional Arts
  • Visual Art
• It is also possible for a project to include more than one discipline, for instance writing and dance, provided the overall artistic aim justifies such an approach and it is feasible within the timeframe and budget.

Expected Outcomes

• Learning outcomes may include increased abilities in the following:
  • Development in thinking creatively, independently, and imaginatively.
  • Learning about the physical limitations and possibilities of art materials.
  • Encouragement in using creative and critical thinking skills in art and other subjects.
  • Gaining confidence to develop and realize their own ideas.
  • Encouragement in asking questions and experimenting.
  • Embracing experimentation and mistakes as part of the learning process.

Eligibility Criteria

• All Department of Education and Skills-recognized primary and post-primary schools and Youthreach centers in Cork County are eligible to apply.
• Proposals with multi-lingual and/or multi-cultural elements are welcomed.
• The scheme does not support applications where there is a predetermined end product/output. For example, the rehearsal and staging of a play where the script, design, direction etc. has already been decided upon; or a project where students are working with a template for visual art where the finished works are all similar.
• Applicants should note that from time to time Cork County Council operates a number of independent artist residencies. Cork County Council reserves the right to respond to a particular proposal by referring it to an alternative residency scheme where appropriate.

Assessment Criteria

• Proposals will be assessed on the following criteria:
  • Evidence of a structured approach to developing and planning the proposal involving both artist and school.
  • The clarity of the artistic and developmental goals of the project.
  • The value and benefit of the project to the child, the artist and the school.
  • Evidence of a process-led approach, rather than a predetermined output-based approach.
  • Evidence of a supportive environment in which the artist will operate, for example letter of support from Principal, correspondence between artist and school, or evidence that the proposal has been co-developed by the artist and school.
  • An understanding of the potential the project will have for further exploration in other parts of the curriculum.
  • Realistic budget and timeframe, with fair and equitable remuneration and contracting of artists.
  • Evidence of minimum 50% matching funding in place.

Application Requirements 

• The applicant school must submit the following on the application form:
  • Completed contact information sheet.
  • A detailed project proposal signed by both the school principal and the artist.
  • Project Budget.
  • Copy of the artist’s C.V.
  • Samples of the artist’s work, such as slides, publications, etc. Under no circumstances should any original manuscripts, paintings, etc., be submitted, as the Arts Office cannot accept responsibility for such items.
  • Documentation of any community or education based work previously undertaken by the artist.
  • A copy of the school’s current child safeguarding policy.

For more information, visit Cork County Council.