🎨 Minister McEntee Unveils Expanded Creative Youth Programmes and New Data Mapping Tool

Dublin: On 4th of July 2025 – Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee announced a major expansion of Ireland’s Creative Youth Plan 2023–2027, including the selection of 429 schools for the 2025 BLAST Arts in Education Residencies and the formation of 43 new Creative Clusters involving 151 schools nationwide. The initiatives aim to foster creativity, collaboration, and inclusion across the education system.

🖌️ BLAST Arts in Education Residencies

The BLAST programme enables artists and creative practitioners to work directly with students and teachers through 20-hour residencies, coordinated by the Education Support Centres of Ireland (ESCI). Each residency is fully funded by the Department of Education at €1,100 per school, and will be delivered throughout the 2025/26 academic year.

🤝 Creative Clusters Initiative

The newly announced Creative Clusters will support schools working together over two years on bespoke creative projects. Each cluster may receive up to €15,000 in funding, along with facilitation support from local ESCs. The programme is designed to encourage student-led learning and innovation tailored to local needs.

🗺️ Launch of Interactive Data Mapping Tool

Minister McEntee also introduced a new data mapping tool that charts engagement by schools and Youthreach centres with Creative Youth programmes. The tool integrates data on disadvantage and participation, helping identify gaps and guide future outreach efforts.

“Creativity and the arts are for everyone, no matter where you live or what school you attend,” said Minister McEntee. “This new mapping tool will help us bring more schools—and more students—into the fold.”

📚 Strategic Vision

The Creative Youth Plan 2023–2027 aims to unlock the creative potential of every child and young person aged 0–24. It builds on the success of previous initiatives such as Creative Schools, Cruinniú na nÓg, and Music Generation, and supports educators in embedding creativity into teaching practice.

For more details, visit the Department of Education’s official announcement or watch the Creative Clusters explainer video.

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Helen McEntee Minister for Education Picture by The Official CTBTO