Open Call: Children and Young People’s Arts Residency (Ireland)

The Children and Young People’s Arts Residency in Ireland supports artists and arts organisations to collaborate with higher-education institutions for an academic year-long residency in teacher education or early childhood education programs. The scheme promotes creative engagement, professional development for artists, and hands-on arts learning experiences for future teachers and early-years educators.

Overview of the Residency

The residency enables artists to work alongside higher-education institutions offering qualifications in initial teacher education or early childhood education and care (ECEC). Through collaboration with teaching staff and students, artists help integrate arts-based approaches into education while advancing their own artistic practice.

Objectives of the Programme

Provide artists with opportunities to develop skills and experience within educational settings.
Enable teaching staff and lecturers to collaborate with practising artists on tailored creative initiatives.
Support future teachers and early-years educators to engage directly with artists as part of their learning.
Build confidence and skills in trainee educators to facilitate arts experiences and advocate for the arts in schools and ECEC settings.

Eligible Applicants

Artists and arts organisations across all artforms and arts practice areas.
Higher-education institutions in the Republic of Ireland offering:
- Initial teacher education programmes
- Recognised level-7 or level-8 degrees in early childhood education and care
Applications must be submitted by the host institution in partnership with an artist or arts organisation, both based in Ireland.
Institutions cannot partner with the same artist or organisation that has already held a residency with them for three academic years.

Funding Details

Maximum funding: €20,000 per residency
Funding covers professional fees of the artist(s) and essential costs associated with carrying out artistic work.
For residencies involving multiple artists, a detailed budget specifying fees for each artist must be included.
Residency proposals must represent additional activity if partners are receiving other Arts Council funding during the same period.

Residency Activities

Artists collaborate with teaching staff to design and deliver arts-based initiatives for students.
Residents engage with future teachers and early-years educators through hands-on workshops, co-creation sessions, and reflective practice.
The residency strengthens connections between artistic practice and education, allowing trainee teachers to integrate creative approaches into their future teaching.

How to Apply

Confirm that the higher-education institution offers initial teacher education or recognised early childhood education degrees.
Identify an eligible artist or arts organisation based in Ireland to partner with.
Prepare a detailed residency proposal outlining activities, goals, and learning outcomes.
Submit a budget covering professional fees and essential costs.
Ensure the proposed residency does not duplicate previous Arts Council-funded activities.
Applications are submitted jointly by the host institution and artist/organisation.

Why This Residency Matters

Provides artists with professional development and experience in academic environments.
Enhances the capacity of future teachers and early-years educators to deliver arts-rich education.
Promotes collaborative learning between the arts sector and higher-education institutions.
Strengthens arts advocacy in schools and early childhood settings, creating long-term impact for children and young people.

FAQs

1. Who can apply? Artists or arts organisations in partnership with higher-education institutions in Ireland.
2. What is the maximum funding available? €20,000 per residency.
3. Can multiple artists be involved? Yes, but fees for each must be specified in the budget.
4. Are all artforms eligible? Yes, the scheme supports all arts practices.
5. Which institutions are eligible? Institutions offering initial teacher education or level-7/level-8 early childhood education degrees in Ireland.
6. Can the same artist partner again with an institution? No, if they have already held a residency with that institution for three academic years.
7. What is the residency duration? One full academic year.

Conclusion

The Children and Young People’s Arts Residency fosters meaningful collaboration between artists and higher-education institutions, enriching the learning experience of future teachers and early-years educators while advancing artistic practice. By integrating creative approaches into education, the residency strengthens Ireland’s arts and educational landscape.