Request for Applications: Creative Clusters Initiative (Ireland)

A Creative Cluster will typically consist of between 3 and 5 schools collaborating on the design, implementation, evaluation and dissemination of an innovative creative learning project which supports them to address a common issue or challenge in collaboration with students. Creative Clusters will include schools at different stages of their journey in using creativity in the classroom.

Clusters can consist of primary schools only, post-primary schools only or a combination of primary, post-primary schools, special education schools and Youth reach organisations.

Purpose

• The purpose of this scheme is to demonstrate how the creative practices can support clusters of schools to work together to address common learning challenges over a two-year period. It aims to:
  • To promote new ways of working and collaboration between schools, creative, and cultural sectors
  • To improve teaching and learning through developing the creativity of all
  • To give children and young people agency and a voice in decision-making in Creative Clusters
  • To provide opportunities for clusters to experiment, innovate and collaborate on the design, implementation and evaluation of bespoke creative projects
  • To develop a partnership approach to supporting schools in embedding creativity as practice, activating the strengths of their differences
  • To use Creative Clusters as a model for developing and embedding creative teaching and learning in schools.

Benefits

• Selected clusters can expect support to include the following:
  • An initial one-day regional workshop event for Creative Cluster Coordinators and at least one representative from each of the schools in the cluster. This will provide an opportunity for schools in the individual Creative Clusters to work together to develop and progress the focus for their cluster work.
  • A specially trained Creative Cluster Facilitator who will support the cluster for up to five local creative cluster meetings over the 2-year lifetime of the cluster. The Creative Cluster Facilitator will work with the Cluster to develop, implement and evaluate an arts and creative learning project which helps participating schools to address a common school issue or development need. The Cluster will have flexibility in how they wish to schedule these meeting times and days, in consultation with their local ESC. Paid substitution will be provided for the regional cluster workshop event and two/three local cluster meetings per school year.
  • Networking opportunities with other schools including other Creative Clusters and schools participating in other Creative Youth initiatives to share learning.

Funding Information

• Each Creative Cluster will receive funding of €3,000 per school over a two-year period to implement their project in the 2025–2027 school years (e.g. a cluster of 3 schools would get €9,000 over two years while a cluster of 5 schools would receive €15,000 over two years). Schools in a cluster are expected to collaborate on how this funding is allocated and spent to support the implementation of their project. Clusters will receive 50% of the total funding in Year 1, with the second 50% being provided in Year 2.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following schools may apply to lead or participate in a Creative Cluster:
  • Schools that have not yet participated in Creative Clusters.
  • Schools that have not yet participated in Creative Schools and those who will complete Creative Schools Year 2 in the 2024/25 school year.
  • Schools that will complete Creative Clusters Year 2 in the 2024/25 school year. However, they must apply as part of a cluster who have not yet participated in the initiative. In this instance, it is required that this school applies to lead a cluster of schools that are new to the initiative.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following schools may not apply to participate in Creative Clusters:
  • Fee Paying Schools i.e. Schools not in receipt of capitation grants from the Department of Education and Youth/education and training boards and are not in the free education scheme.
  • Schools that are already participating in Creative Clusters 2024/26 (Year 1 commenced in September 2024).
  • Schools that are already participating in Creative Schools 2024/26 (Year 1 commenced in September 2024).
  • Schools cannot simultaneously participate in Creative Clusters and Creative Schools.
  • Schools who have participated as a cluster previously, cannot reapply for Creative Clusters unless they lead a combination of schools new to the initiative.

For more information, visit gov.ie.