Creative Associate Services for Schools in Alternative Settings

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1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start |-------|-------|----------------|------------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|------------------|---------------------|------------------| The Arts Council AC-2026-31 CFT Creative Associate Services for Schools in Alternative Settings Not stated €117,000 Not stated Open Tender Not stated Republic of Ireland 2 years 19 June 2026, 11:00 August 2026

2. Scope of Work

The Arts Council seeks to engage up to 10 Creative Associates (CAs) to provide services in alternative educational settings across the Republic of Ireland. Each participating school will receive up to 18 days of CA time per school year. The CAs will work collaboratively with schools to enhance their engagement with the arts and creativity.

The specific activities include:

• Participating in induction, ongoing training, and networking events.
• Collaborating with school management, staff, children, and the wider community.
• Conducting analyses of current engagement with the arts and creativity.
• Supporting the development and implementation of a Creative Schools Plan.
• Highlighting cross-curricular potential of creative learning opportunities.
• Engaging schools in continuous reflection and evaluation processes.
• Developing support materials and resources for the Creative Schools initiative.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and policies.

The CAs will not deliver projects directly but will facilitate and guide schools in their creative endeavors. The schools involved include various healthcare settings, such as the Central Remedial Clinic, Cork University Hospital, and St. Joseph's Adolescent School, among others.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with the Creative Schools initiative, part of the Creative Ireland Programme, aiming to integrate arts and creativity into the lives of children and young people. The initiative is supported by the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. The Arts Council is tasked with implementing this initiative, contingent upon ongoing funding from these departments. The procurement is timely as it seeks to enhance the educational experience in healthcare settings, where students face unique challenges.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: €100,000
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: Not required for self-employed individuals.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Tenderers must have successfully delivered a minimum of two relevant projects in the past five years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The overall scoring will be based on a maximum of 1,000 marks, with a minimum of 60% required in each section to qualify for further consideration.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Completed Tender Response Document (TRD) in full.
• CVs of key personnel (no specified page count).
• Pricing schedule (format specified in TRD).
• Case studies demonstrating relevant experience (minimum of two).
• Declarations including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Evidence of insurance cover as specified.
• Submission via eTenders platform or email to [email protected].

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be for a duration of two years, commencing in August 2026. Payment will be at a fixed rate of €325 per day, inclusive of all expenses. Key performance indicators (KPIs) will include successful engagement with schools and adherence to the Creative Schools Plan. The Arts Council reserves the right to amend the scope of services as needed. Successful bidders must comply with child protection policies and undergo Garda vetting.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks include:

• The contract's reliance on ongoing funding from the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, which may affect service continuity.
• The requirement for a minimum of two relevant projects may limit participation from smaller firms or freelancers without extensive experience.
• The absence of specified personnel requirements may lead to variability in the quality of bids.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for:

• Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or individual freelancers with experience in arts and education.
• Bidders with a background in creative practices and familiarity with healthcare or educational settings.
• Consortiums or subcontracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, suggesting individual or organizational bids are preferred.
• Preparation time for bids may require several days, depending on the complexity of the required documentation.
• The incumbent's strength is not specified, but the emphasis on past experience may indicate a competitive environment.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: AC-2026-31 CFT Creative Associate Services for Schools in Alternative Settings v1.1.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 — Letter of Engagement, Appendix 2 — Data Protection Agreement, Appendix 3 — Third-Party Supplier Information Security Assessment.