The Department of Education is pleased to announce the launch of the 2023 Arts-in-Education BLAST Residency Programme and Creative Clusters. BLAST and Creative Clusters (Press Release).

Creative Clusters information:

Each Creative Cluster will receive grant funding of €3,000 per school over a two-year period to implement their project in the 2023–2025 school years (e.g. a cluster of 3 schools would receive €9,000 over two years while a cluster of 5 schools would receive €15,000 over two years). Clusters will receive 50% of the total grant funding in Year 1, with the second 50% being provided in Year 2. 

In addition, but separate to the grant funding, all successful clusters are further supported with: A fully paid Creative Cluster Facilitator; paid Teacher Substitution to attend training and meetings; room hire, travel & subsistence.

Please see the following link for Guidelines and to download the Application Form: Creative Clusters 2023 Guidelines and Application Form

Creative Clusters 2023 Application Form

Cnuasaigh Cruthaitheacha Foirm Iarratais 2023

Creative Clusters Guidelines for Application 2023

Cnuasaigh Cruthaitheacha Treoirlínte 2023

Creative Schools can apply as part of a cluster which may be an existing network of schools.

A school nearing the end of year 2 of an existing Creative Cluster can reapply to be in a new cluster where the other schools in the new cluster have not participated before.

Schools nearing the end of 2 years with Creative Schools are eligible to apply.

The local Education Support Centre will have a key role in identifying and supporting a Creative Cluster for their local area.

Fully completed Applications should be sent to Monaghan Education Centre to the following email address: info@metc.ie

The deadline for receipt of applications is as follows: 12th May 2023

Additionally, please see below link to our new completed promotional videos for Creative Clusters.

Creative Clusters Video