Brings together practice and policy to explore creative pedagogies shaping the future of learning in Ireland.
How can arts-based learning shape the future of education in Ireland? Arts Education in Ireland dissects this question using a rich collection of research and case studies spanning early childhood, primary, secondary, and higher education. Through an examination of the evolving role of the arts in the Irish curriculum, this volume showcases how visual arts and interdisciplinary collaborations between educational and cultural institutions are transforming teaching and learning.
With contributions from educators, researchers, and artists, this work focuses on key themes such as teacher identity formation, student engagement, and the impact of creative pedagogies in developing twenty-first-century skills. It also highlights innovative programs like the Writers in Schools scheme, offering insights into how the arts foster critical thinking and deeper learning experiences.
Accessible yet deeply researched, this book is an urgent reference for arts educators, students, and researchers worldwide. Whether you are new to arts-based learning or seeking unique perspectives on interdisciplinary education, Arts Education in Ireland provides both theoretical and practical insights into the power of the arts in shaping meaningful learning experiences.
List of Figures List of Tables Foreword Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council of Ireland Acknowledgements SECTION 1: PHILOSOPHY AND POLICY 1. Introduction: ‘Thoughts, Acts and Meanings’ Jane O’Hanlon 2. Cúinne an Ghiorria: Arts Education, a Core Curriculum and the Conundrums of Policy Gary Granville 3. An Incredulity to Meta-narratives: Postmodern Philosophical Perspectives Jones Irwin 4. A Posthuman Perspective in Arts-based Research with Children Lucy Hill SECTION 2: PEDAGOGY 5. ‘To Let my Imagination Grab My Pen’: Perceptions of Learning within the Writer-in-Schools-Scheme Jane O’Hanlon 6. Visual Thinking Strategies: Practicing in the Field Liz Coman 7. Quavers to Quadratics – An Interdisciplinary Science and Music Programme for Children Shane D. Bergin, Marita Kerin and Nigel Flegg 8. ‘Cranking’ Composing: Reflections on Collaboration and Integrated Arts-based Performances Michael Flannery and Mary Nugent 9. Signature Pedagogies of the Art Teacher Dervil Jordan 10. ‘Beneath the Surface’ the Freud Project: A Cross-institutional Collaboration between NCAD School of Education and IMMA’s Engagement and Learning Department Helen O. Donoghue, Dervil Jordan, Fiona King, Noel Guilfoyle and Mark Maguire SECTION 3: PRACTICE 11. In my Craft or Sullen Art: A Writer in the Classroom Siobhán Parkinson 12. Getting the Art of Hearing: Storytelling, Literacy, Literature, and Cognition Patrick Ryan 13. The Write to Read Programme: Research-informed Pedagogies for Communities of Readers Writers, and Thinkers Eithne Kennedy 14. Teacher Artist Partnership (TAP): Understanding, Entanglement, and Exploration through Creative Learning Relationships Jenny Buggie and Vera McGrath 15. Artist Teacher Identity Formation Dervil Jordan 16. Setting Learning Free: The Art of the Librarian in Education Aidan Clifford and Kathleen Moran 17. Writing from Life: A Conversational Pedagogy for Creative Writing Kevin McDermott 18. Making a Difference: Engaging Young Refugees in the Civic Space of the Museum Tadgh Crowley SECTION 4: ARTS-RELATED RESEARCH 19. The Affordances of the Digital: The Arts and Culture in Education Research Repository (ACERR), Ireland Orla Murphy 20. The Change Lab: An Arts-based Research Approach in Initial Teacher Education Fiona King and Lucy Hill 21. Returning to Research in Art Education: Notes from the Field Dónal O’Donoghue 22. Postscripts and Future Foci Mary Shine Thompson Notes on Contributors Index
Dr Dervil Jordan is Emeritus Professor of Education at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and is a former Head of the School of Education. She has been involved in initial teacher education for over 30 years and her research interests are in teacher education, artist teacher identity and access to higher education. Dr Jane O’Hanlon is the Head of Education with Poetry Ireland, coordinating its education and outreach programmes. Her doctoral research was on the unique character of arts learning within the formal education system, she is Fulbright Scholar Awardee for 2024.
