BLAST Arts & Creativity in Education 2025/2026

Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers

The Department of Education is pleased to announce BLAST Arts & Creativity in Education Residency 2025/2026 applications are now open - Press Release.

To view the promotional video for TAP+ and BLAST click HERE.

Please see the following link for BLAST Application Guidelines and further details.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 10^th April 2025.

Please contact Kildare Education Support Centre (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for queries or support, or email National Arts in Education, Tralee Education Support Centre at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Eligibility:

All schools in receipt of capitation grants from the Department of Education or Education and Training Boards (ETBs) can apply for BLAST.

Fee Paying Schools are not eligible to apply for BLAST Residencies. Schools that are not in the free-education scheme cannot apply for BLAST. 

Schools participating in either Creative Clusters or Creative Schools can apply for BLAST.

BLAST is an initiative of the Department of Education, under the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027. It is led by and in partnership with the 21 full-time Education Centres (Education Support Centres Ireland - ESCI).

BLAST Arts & Creativity in Education Residency 2025/2026 apply online here: BLAST Application Form

Kildare BLAST Register of Artists and Creative Practitioners