Creative Youth: Evaluation Guidelines

Abstract

The Creative Ireland Programme was established in 2017 to support the mainstreaming of creativity in the life of the nation. The Programme works in partnership with local and national authorities, youth services, community, cultural, enterprise, arts and heritage organisations, creative industries, and schools to nurture and enable the creative potential across the full spectrum of Irish society. Creative Youth was one of the five pillars which supported the Creative Ireland Plan aiming to “give every child practical access to tuition, experience and participation in art, music, drama and coding by 2022”. (Creative Ireland Programme, 2016a, p. 1). The vision of the second Creative Youth Plan 2023- 2027 is “an Ireland where creativity is at the heart of children and young people’s lives, where creativity can contribute greatly to their happiness, wellbeing and personal development and, in recognition of their right to a voice in decision-making, children and young people will be heard and will inform all aspects of this work” (p. 2). The Creative Youth Plan aims to increase opportunities for activity and participation, and to influence public policy around creativity in both formal education and out-of-school settings.