Artist in Schools Scheme

Artist in Schools Scheme 2025 Guidelines

The Cork County Council Arts Grant Scheme provides grants for individuals and organisations to present and promote arts activities, projects, or events in Cork County. Grants may be awarded where applications meet the aims and objectives, and eligibility criteria as outlined in these guidelines. Applications will be evaluated on the artistic vision, ambition, potential impact on audiences and artists, and feasibility. 

1. Cork County Council Artist in Schools Scheme Aims and Objectives:

The purpose of the Artist in Schools scheme is to enable primary and post-primary students and teaching staff to work collaboratively with an artist on a creative project over an extended period.  

The scheme provides an opportunity for a school to carry out a project where the artistic and learning outcomes focus on nurturing the student’s creative imagination, critical thinking and collaborative skills, and the skills of the teaching staff involved.  

The scheme aims to support projects that use a process-led approach to creativity, learning and teaching that is student-centred. Projects should involve children’s creativity and voice at every stage of the process. The aim is to support projects which show the impact of creativity on learning, development and wellbeing of participating students.

• Learning outcomes may include increased abilities in the following:
• Development in thinking creatively, independently, and imaginatively.
• Learning about the physical limitations and possibilities of art materials.
• Encouragement in using creative and critical thinking skills in art and other subjects.
• Gaining confidence to develop and realise their own ideas.
• Encouragement in asking questions and experimenting.
• Embracing experimentation and mistakes as part of the learning process.

2. Eligibility Criteria

All Department of Education and Skills-recognised primary and post-primary schools and Youthreach centres in Cork County are eligible to apply.

Projects can be in any art form: Architecture, Circus and Spectacle, Dance, Film / Animation / Gaming / Digital Media Theatre, Literature, Opera, Traditional Arts and Visual Art. It is also possible for a project to include more than one discipline, for instance writing and dance, provided the overall artistic aim justifies such an approach and it is feasible within the timeframe and budget.

Proposals with multi-lingual and /or multi-cultural elements are welcomed.
The scheme does not support applications where there is a predetermined end product / output. For example, the rehearsal and staging of a play where the script, design, direction etc. has already been decided upon; or a project where students are working with a template for visual art where the finished works are all similar. 
Applicants should note that from time to time Cork County Council operates a number of independent artist residencies. Cork County Council reserves the right to respond to a particular proposal by referring it to an alternative residency scheme where appropriate. 

3. Assessment of Applications

Proposals will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Evidence of a structured approach to developing and planning the proposal involving both artist and school.
• The clarity of the artistic and developmental goals of the project.
• The value and benefit of the project to the child, the artist and the school.
• Evidence of a process-led approach, rather than a predetermined output-based approach.
• Evidence of a supportive environment in which the artist will operate, for example letter of support from Principal, correspondence between artist and school, or evidence that the proposal has been co-developed by the artist and school.
• An understanding of the potential the project will have for further exploration in other parts of the curriculum.
• Realistic budget and timeframe, with fair and equitable remuneration and contracting of artists.
• Evidence of minimum 50% matching funding in place.

4. Timescale

• Funded projects must be initiated and substantially completed during 2025. However, consideration will also be given to proposals for projects taking place in the school year of September 2025 extending up to June 2026.

5. Financial

All project proposals must be fully costed and the complete budget submitted as part of the application to Cork County Council.

Clearly indicate the level of financial contribution that can be made by the school to the proposed project. The difference between this figure and the overall cost of the project will form the basis for your funding request to Cork County Council.

6. Application Procedure and Deadline

Applications must be submitted via the Council’s online applications portal by clicking the button below:

Deadline for receipt of applications: 5pm Thursday, January 9th 2025.

• We strongly advise making the application ahead of the deadline to avoid any difficulties with uploading times. We also advise that you keep a copy of all material submitted.
• When you are satisfied that you have uploaded all information you need for your application, click Submit.
• Once submitted, your application cannot be amended. Do not submit your application until you are completely satisfied. 
• If the application is successfully submitted you will receive a confirmation email and an application reference number. This mail can sometimes be classified as spam and may be directed to your spam folder. 
• If you do not receive a confirmation email then the application has not reached us and you should consider resubmitting.
• We regret that late applications cannot be submitted.

The applicant school must submit the following on the application form:

• Completed contact information sheet.
• A detailed project proposal signed by both the school principal and the artist.
• Project Budget.
• Copy of the artist’s C.V.
• Samples of the artist’s work, such as slides, publications, etc. Under no circumstances should any original manuscripts, paintings, etc., be submitted, as the Arts Office cannot accept responsibility for such items. 
• Documentation of any community or education based work previously undertaken by the artist.
• A copy of the school’s current child safeguarding policy.

Accessible Applications

The option to submit a video or audio proposal is available for people with additional needs. Audio instructions is available to guide you through the application and outline the information that must be included on each funding scheme. Video or audio applications must be submitted as a link to an external site with any required passwords. We strongly advise making the application ahead of the deadline to avoid any difficulties with uploading times. If you need further accessibility support please contact arts@corkcoco.ie or tel: (021) 434 6210 and we will endeavour to assist.

Enquiries to:

The Arts Office
Cork County Council
County Hall
Cork.

Tel: (021) 4346210 or email:arts@corkcoco.ie.

Project Development Guidance Notes (please read carefully)

It is essential that schools work closely with the artist in developing a project proposal. This proposal will outline the scope of the project, the duration, budget and the art form. It will also reflect an understanding by both parties of the key objectives of the project. It will show an understanding of the possibilities that the project affords for extension through the curriculum. The project proposal will identify the target group(s) within the school and will also set out a clear support structure for the artist during his/her residency.

A successful residency is built on a good working relationship between the school, the designated teacher(s) and the artist. As this is a collaborative journey for everyone involved it is essential that the teachers who will work with the artist are involved at project development stage and enabled to bring their professional skills and experience to the planning of the project. The artist’s abilities are creative, inquiry-led and intuitive, and so he or she may not necessarily have the depth of understanding and experience of working in a class environment that the teacher has. It is important therefore that both the teacher and the artist have a good understanding of the possible roles they will play in the project. The teacher should also consider this residency as an opportunity for developing new creative skills, embedding creativity into the curriculum and testing new methods. It should also be an opportunity for the teacher to observe the way the artist approaches the project, the methods and materials used and how the class reacts to the art project.

The artist is a skilled professional. It is important that schools recognise that the artist is an artist and not a teacher, and will require to be fully supported by the teaching professionals in the school. The artist’s role is primarily creative. He/she will be a facilitator for the child’s learning and development during the project.

The artist must not be expected to work alone in the class setting and to take responsibility for discipline and supervision. The Artist in Schools Scheme supports a process led approach to learning. The artist must not be expected to become involved in merely facilitating a final end product, however attractive that may be, such as a mural painting project, or a drama production. These may happen, but only as a final outcome of a creative exploration between the children, staff and the artist.

The nature of the project will not only depend upon the artist and art form, but also on the teacher and children. Applications will therefore be assessed on the evidence of a well-planned, collaborative and thoughtful approach taken by both the artist and the school’s staff.

Documenting, monitoring and evaluating the project
Applicants should consider the process of documenting, monitoring and evaluating their project. It is strongly recommended that schools allow sufficient time for reflection between the artist and teachers each week to discuss the way the project is developing. It is also important that the artist can communicate openly and frankly with the teacher and gain from his/her expertise at all stages in the project.

Documentation is a valuable exercise in itself as it offers an opportunity to review a project as it takes shape. This can be done in many ways; for example, the students can keep their own diaries to record each week’s work and as a place to present their own views on the work they are doing and their response to new experiences. Teachers should also keep a record of progress. In addition to a written record, it is also important to make a visual record of the project on an ongoing basis, if it is feasible to do so. This can be done using video or photography, and could also be a project that might be given to a class not working directly with the artist. All documentation must be in line with the school’s Child Protection Policy, with the artist being fully briefed on the full policy and appropriate documentation procedures in advance of the project’s commencement. 

It is vital that a process for ongoing evaluation is developed with the artist. This might be simply the setting apart of some time for review or reflection or might be a more formal exchange of views between the parties. This can be agreed between the artist and the school and should be included as part of the project proposal. Successful applicants will be asked to keep the Arts Office updated on progress on a regular basis.