MTU Crawford College of Art & Design

Creativity & Change is, at its core, a learning community for global citizenship education. We believe that creative engagement can support transformative learning experiences that connect the head, hand, and heart and nurture competences of global citizens that are important for the sustainable future of our world, competences such as: 

• Empathy 
• Resilience 
• Critical thinking 
• Problem solving 
• Compassion 
• And the ability to take action. 

Creativity & Change has been continuously growing as a grassroots education programme since 2009, where it began its life at Mayfield Community Arts Centre. Conceived by youth & community arts workers, Jessica Carson and Nora Furlong, a vision was realised, when, witnessing the power of local community engagement with broader-world themes, they recognised the value of and appetite for arts and global justice education, at a time when such themes weren’t nearly as prevalent in public consciousness. 

Our training opportunities continue to bring creative methodologies and energy to Global Citizenship and Development Education. We are based in Munster Technological University (MTU) Crawford College of Art and Design, in the Department of Arts in Health and Education and are supported by Irish Aid.  
 

Who is Creativity & Change for?

Our work targets change-makers, educators, activists, artists, community workers, adult educators, youth workers, volunteers and anyone who is interested in how creative engagement can nurture global citizenship and empathic action around local and global justice themes. 

• Are you passionate about change? 
• Do you believe that you can make a difference in the world? 
• Do you believe that we need creativity to think in new ways about the challenges that face the world? 
• Are you curious about how creative processes and learning environments can transform how people engage with the world around them? 
• Do you want to build skills to bring others on a journey of transformation and growth as global citizens?  

                                                                                                      
Creativity & Change is for you if you can say ‘Yes!’ to these questions. 
 

How to Get Involved

Accredited Award 

Our postgraduate course combines presentations, case studies, and group participation, with a focus on experiential learning, to explore the arts as a tool for advocacy and social action. Find out more information about the accredited award duration, content, and modules on the accredited award page and on the MTU course finder. 

Non-Accredited Learning Experiences 

As well as our postgraduate course, we also offer a wide range of learning experiences. Our trainings are aimed at those working in adult & community education, youth work or any non-formal learning setting.

Are you working on global justice issues with a group? Do you need some creative inspiration? Our continuing professional development workshops will give you skills and confidence to work creatively with your group on the issues that you feel are important. Previous trainings include: Playback theatre, Street Art, Creative Writing, Visual Facilitation and Design Thinking. Learn more about our Deep-Dive trainings here. 

Additionally, we work directly with groups to offer workshops in creative methods. We are particularly interested in working with groups that are experiencing injustice. 

Hive 

The ‘Hive’ is our alumni & friends network. We are advocates for the importance of community in creating global change and so are committed to the continuation of connection with our learners, hosting spaces to support them to deepen their collaborations, strengthen their GCE practice, and further connect with learners and communities.

Our Hive groups are a space to energise continued creative action for global justice amongst our community and to support the ongoing professional development of Creativity & Change alumni. These groups include our Forum Theatre group, Playback Theatre group, and our Artivist studio.
 

Connect with Creativity & Change

Follow us on Instagram and Substack to keep up to date with all things Creativity & Change and to get involved: 

<iframe src="https://creativityandchange.substack.com/embed" width="480" height="320" style="border:1px solid #EEE; background:white;" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> 

• instagram.com/creativityandchange/?hl=en

If you have any questions or would like to collaborate with Creativity & Change, please email crawfordcreativityandchange@mtu.ie.