Beidh an t-ochtú Lá Náisiúnta Bliantúil do Thairseach na nEalaíon san Oideachas ar siúl ar an 11 Samhain, 2023 i gColáiste Mhuire gan Smál, Luimneach i gcomhpháirtíocht leis an Roinn Ealaíon, Oideachais agus Corpoideachais.

The eighth annual National Arts in Education Portal Day will take place on the 11th of November, 2023 at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick in partnership with the Department of Arts Education & Physical Education.

This free full day event sees the coming together of arts and education professionals to share, learn, talk, network, get inspired, and interrogate best practice in the arts and creativity in education. 

The event is organised by the Arts in Education Portal Editorial Committee, which is represented by key national agencies and arts- and creativity-in-education stakeholders; and funded by the Department of Education & Skills and supported by the Creative Ireland initiative.

The keynote speaker this year is Dr Jill Goodwin, who is a UK-based artist/researcher with a background in education. Her experience working with children labelled as having 'profound and multiple learning disabilities' has led her to seek and explore ways of sharing meaning without words, and she sees the arts as key to this process. Using personal examples from her experience in schools, her research and her art practice, Jill will consider the spaces – both physical and psychological – we provide and inhabit.

Each year, the National Arts in Education Portal Day features a broad range of workshops and presentations selected through an open call process delivered by a representative mix of artists, teachers, academics, researchers and practitioners from across the early years, primary and post-primary sectors.  This year, the Portal Day will continue the special focus of ‘Seldom Heard Voices'. The Committee has curated a programme this year that reflects diversity and inclusion across school communities and represents all children.

“We are delighted and honoured to partner with Mary Immaculate College for the eighth annual National Arts in Education Portal Day. The day brings together esteemed arts, creative and education sector professionals, serving as a celebration of the growing and thriving community of excellence in arts, creativity, and education practices within Ireland.” - Dr Katie Sweeney, National Director for the Integration of the Arts in Education (DES) 

The National Arts in Education Portal Day is free to attend, however capacity is limited and pre-booking is required. For more information on the programme and to register for the event see www.artsineducation.ie. A selection of the main talks and presentations will be available to watch back online following the conference for those unable to attend in person.

More information for editors

The Arts in Education Portal (http://www.artsineducation.ie) is the key national digital resource of arts in education practice in Ireland and was launched in May 2015 as an initiative of the Department of Education & Skills, and the (then) Department of Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht. The Arts in Education Portal was one of the objectives of the Arts in Education Charter, which was launched by the two Departments in January 2013. The Arts in Education Portal National Day is part of a commissioning plan that is funded by the Department of Education & Skills and supported by Creative Ireland as part of the Portal’s aim to continue building a community of practice within arts and education, and providing a space where both artists and teachers can be supported and inspired.

Date: 11^th November 2023

Time: 9.15am – 4.30pm

Location: Mary Immaculate College, Limerick

For more information visit: 

The Arts in Education Portal –http://www.artsineducation.ie

Full programme: 

https://artsineducation.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AiE_Portal_National_Day_Conference_Programme_2023.pdf

For bookings visit: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/2023-national-arts-in-education-portal-day-tickets-732883673797

Image copyright: 

For more details and to arrange interviews, please contact:

Katie Sweeney:

National Director for the Integration of the Arts in Education (DES)

Tel: 0879270718

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Further information for editors:

The Arts in Education Portal (http://www.artsineducation.ie) was launched in May 2015 and is managed by Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership in collaboration with an Editorial Committee, whose members are:

Dr. Katie Sweeney (Chair)
National Director for the Integration of the Arts in Education (DE)
……….
Helen O’Donoghue
(Representing Encountering the Arts, Ireland)
……….

Phil Kingston
Community & Education Manager, The Abbey Theatre
(Representing the Council of National Cultural Institutions)
……….
Dermot Carney
Arts Officer, National Association of Principals & Deputy Principals
……….
Patrick Coffey
National Coordinator, PDST Technology in Education/Scoilnet
……….
Kate Delaney
Assistant Principal in the Creative Ireland Programme
(Representing the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht)
……….

Catherine Boothman

Creative Schools Manager with the Arts Council of Ireland 

(Representing the Arts Council of Ireland)

……….

Jennifer Buggie

Advisor for the Integration of Creativity and the Arts in Education 

(Representing the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit)

Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership is currently the Editor of the Arts in Education Portal. Based in County Sligo, Kids’ Own is a national children’s arts organisation and publishing house. The Kids’ Own ethos is about supporting every child’s individual creative expression and developing a culture that values the arts in the lives of all children and young people.