Creativity, Arts and Culture in Education

Creative Youth 2023-2027, launched on 28 March 2023, is one of the five pillars of the Creative Ireland Programme. Creative Youth aims to enable the creativity of every child and young person in Ireland and increase opportunities for creativity among young people. It is a cross-departmental plan delivered by the Department of Education and Youth together with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Further and Higher Education Research, Innovation and Science, and the Arts Council.

The Department of Education and Youth delivers a number of Creative Youth programmes directly for children and young people in-school or out-of-school. Creative Youth prioritises supporting educators to enhance creativity within schools by providing and developing Teacher Professional Learning opportunities. These efforts contribute to the long-term success and sustainability of Creative Youth by building a critical mass of skilled educators who can deliver impactful programmes.

The School Map of Creative Youth Initiatives (Data Mapping Tool) was launched in 2025. It utilises our schools’ data and maps it against Creative Youth programmes. It is an interactive map showing which schools have engaged in which programmes since 2017.

Researchers, educators, and policymakers continue to explore the impact of Creative Youth on young people’s creativity, emphasizing the need for evidence-based practices and informed decision-making.