
We invite all schools (primary, post-primary,
special education schools and Youthreach centres) in Ireland to celebrate the
arts and creativity from 9–13 May, 2022. The theme this year “Creativity Lives Here”
focuses on the abundance of arts and creative activities that take place in so
many forms in every school. Creative Schools Week is a
celebration of creativity in schools with a focus on fun, festivities,
imagination and innovation. What does
creativity looks like in your school?
This week is a time to make space to share and celebrate the creative
exploits of your students with your school community.
All
Creative schools will receive a digital school pack full of ideas, information
and inspiration to help you and your students plan your participation and make
it a cracking, creative week to remember.
Schools
celebrating Creative Schools Week can share their social media posts using
#creativeschools.
If you are a current
or past creative schools you will receive your digital pack automatically. If
you are a school who is not already
involved with the Creative Schools programme, you can contact creativeschools@artscouncil.ie
to receive more details about how to participate in Creative Schools week.
Check out our Padlet for lots
of ideas to inform and inspire creativity in your setting: https://padlet.com/CreativeSchools/creativeschools
Last year’s celebration
included Online Celebrations highlighting
work from a selection of Creative Schools and Creative Clusters
initiatives since 2018, as well as workshops, interviews and features across a wide range of
different artists and arts and cultural organisations. We invite you to watch these videos with your
students to
learn about school communities across the initiative as well as their creative
approaches to learning and artistic responses to Covid 19. Schools highlighted
are a representation of the over 460 schools who have participated in the
Creative Schools initiative since 2018 https://www.artscouncil.ie/creative-schools/celebration-2021/
Creative Schools Week 2022 – F.A.Q for Schools
What is the theme this year?
The theme for Creative Schools Week
2022 is ‘Creativity Live Here! / Tá Beocht na Cruthaitheachta Anseo!’
The past two years have presented challenges to
our teaching and learning environments and staff and students in every school
have met these challenges in creative and innovative ways. This year the
theme encourages school communities to pause and reflect on where creativity is
evident in our lives, in every class, in every school and in the experience of
every student. The week is a time to focus on celebrating this creativity,
perhaps adding to the experiences of students in the form of events or
workshops and providing a platform to show how creative each school can be.
What kinds of creative activity do schools
carry out in Creative Schools Week?
All kinds of art and creativity! From drama
workshops to creative writing to comedy improv to knitting and stitching,
painting and baking. You decide! …. Creativity is present in many forms across the curriculum subjects. The
many expressions and outlets for creativity reflect the individuality and the
diversity of the students in your school community.
Is Creative Schools Week open to every school?
Yes. Creative Schools Week is open to every school and we
warmly invite all schools to join in. There are resources on our website any
school can use to help plan for Creative Schools Week.
If you are a school who has not yet participated in the Creative Schools
initiative and are participating in Creative Schools Week, please get in touch
with us at creativeschools@artscouncil.ie
so we can share updates with you as Creative Schools Week approaches.
Our school is already in the Creative Schools
initiative, have you any tips for Creative Schools Week?
Yes. Creative Schools Week is a great time to
celebrate your journey so far in Creative Schools. You might want to showcase
activity at an assembly or by hosting an exhibition. You could consider
inviting parents or community members to your school for a celebration or
showcase event. You might want to time some of your planned Creative Schools
activity e.g. workshops, visits, creative activities during Creative Schools
Week as well. Your Creative Associate and perhaps the members of your Creative
Schools committee can help you decide what suits your school best.
What supports are provided to participate in
Creative Schools Week?
Schools will receive a brochure with lots of
ideas to start thinking about ways to become involved in Creative Schools Week.
A digital poster will be sent to your school to advertise the week on your
webpage and social media. The Creative Schools team will send some
updates with further ideas for activities and information about how your
schools can celebrate. Remember, this week is an opportunity to
focus on and highlight creativity in whatever form you decide as a school.
Can I see examples of projects and activities
that how schools have taken part previously?
Yes. You can view our Creative Schools Week
episodes from 2021 featuring different types of school and settings sharing
their activities. The episodes provide a great snapshot of creative activities
and events, and you might like to share the link with your school community
https://www.artscouncil.ie/creative-schools/celebration-2021/
Does every class have to be involved in
Creative Schools Week?
Schools are free to decide which classes will
be involved and how. Some schools may decide to form an advisory group or
committee to shape Creative Schools Week. Schools which already have existing
Creative Schools advisory groups may wish to involve these groups in planning
and delivering Creative Schools Week.
Do all events have to take place within the
school building and grounds?
Schools may choose to use this week as an
opportunity to visit other locations such as a local heritage site, an arts or
cultural venue, or a working project /workshop. Creativity is alive and
flourishing in many aspects of community life with many creative experts in
local communities and indeed amongst wider school communities. The great
outdoors is also a source of inspiration for creativity and the natural
environment has a wealth of resources to use as part of teaching, learning and
engagement in a creative way. Schools may be planning such experiences
already with their Creative Associate and can schedule some of these activities
during the celebration week if they so wish.
Who should we tell about Creative Schools Week?
It is very valuable to inform school
communities, including parents, about events and activities that will take
place during Creative Schools Week so that they can also feel like a part of
the celebration. Schools may wish to send updates on Creative Schools
Week through their school newsletter or website. Creative Schools Week is
also a good time to connect with local press and media. If you would like to
receive a template press release that can be adapted for your school, please
contact the Creative Schools team at creativeschools@artcouncil.ie.