
Following on from the enormous success of This Is Art! digital art competition, RT is delighted to bring an exciting new series for young artists and art lovers to RT 2 and RT Player this Thursday.
Presented by Holly Pereira and Shane Keeling, This Is Art Club! comes to you from the National College of Art and Design campus each week and is jam packed with art, artists, demos, tips and tricks, exhibitions, visual culture and special reports. Each episode is dedicated to one of the key materials used in the making of art clay, pigment, paper, glass, metal, plastic, and even pixels. We'll be finding out where they come from, how they're used and why they make such incredible art.
Every week a team of young TIA Reporters will be out and about bringing us special reports on some of the exciting events, exhibitions and creative projects happening all over the country as well as seeking answers to the age old question what is art?'!
Throughout the series, young people get to go behind the scenes in different industries to be an artist's apprentice' for a day trying out all sorts of creative careers from pottery throwing to costume design, sign painting, glass blowing and special effects model making.
A host of different creative practitioners share insights on their work and process and special guests from the art world include Aideen Barry, John Kindness, James Earley and more. This Is Art Club! dives into some of the weirder wonders of art history and TIA Club artist in residence Ross Carvill will show us how we can turn some very ordinary things into extra-ordinary art. And, we've invited crack teams of young artists to come in to our TIA Club studio on campus at NCAD to demonstrate some of the skills and techniques they use in their work.
The series runs for eight weeks, starting at 5pm on Thursday 3 March on RT 2 and on the RT player. Artists and art lovers of all ages are invited to join the club and follow along on TV, RT Player, and online. rte.ie/thisisart offers a unique digital companion to the series where audiences can dig deeper into some of the work featured in the series. Here you will find lots of bonus material, downloads, demonstrations and art education resources compiled by the NCAD School of Education.
Holly Pereira is an illustrator & muralist based in Dublin. Her work is colourful, fun and bold. Holly's hand-painted murals often take reference from folk art and through her work, she seeks to explore the effect of colour and design in the public space, creating bright and exuberant environments in which we are invited to play. Holly has worked on a wide range of projects, from digital illustration to four storey, hand-painted murals, bringing a fresh and unique creative approach to each project.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfC_0yHslgE
Holly says: I'm excited to see the ideas and thought processes of all the young artists on This Is Art Club!, especially when it comes to politics and the climate crisis. They will shape the art world (and maybe the world) in the coming fty years, and I'm looking forward to what they have to say.'
Shane Keeling is an emerging artist from Wexford, specialising in ceramics, sculpture and illustration. He holds a BA in Applied Materials from NCAD and is currently working in London as a resident artist, technician and educator at The Kiln Rooms. Shane describes himself as a process driven artist that uses humour to make his work more palatable. He intentionally pursues chance and risk while creating art.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yre0eKaU3H0
Shane says: Art for me is a lifestyle. It's walking through the world with my eyes wide open and taking in everything like a sponge, looking for inspiration from the everyday. Art is about inclusion and having fun Trust your gut and your work will always be honest. Be excited by every step in the making process and take risks whenever you can. Don't be afraid to try something new and failure is your new best friend.'
Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children's and Young People's content, RT , said: Grown ups everywhere will remember the art and craft programmes they raced home to watch on tv when they were growing up. That love of creativity still exists for young people and to meet that need we're proud to bring you a unique and fun series which I've no doubt will inspire and mesmerise future generations of artists. Watch it on TV, then go online to rte.ie/thisisart to discover even more. It's so important, now more than ever, to celebrate and encourage all forms of creativity and it's fascinating to lift the lid on what a diverse artistic nation we really are.'
Bonnie Dempsey, producer, Dyehouse Films said: We really wanted to create a space to celebrate the amazingly diverse work that young people are involved in all over the country. We also were determined to show that art is not just a hobby it's a real job and while the work that artists do is serious and important, it can also be enormous fun. We are so grateful to all creative practitioners, both emerging and established, who generously gave time, energy and encouragement to our art clubbers, whether it's sharing insights and advice, taking a young apprentice under their wing for a day or welcoming a curious TIA crew into their studio. We hope that this series proves to young people and parents alike that there are so many different ways to be an artist and that art is for everyone.
Professor Sarah Glennie, Director NCAD: NCAD is delighted to collaborate with Dyehouse Films and RT as part of this exciting new project encouraging young people from across Ireland to explore their own creativity and where it can take them. Creativity has a place across all areas of society and an education in art and design opens many doors into ma
More from RTE
19/03/2026
Other Voices presents a legendary night of music as Foo Fighters bring their stadium anthems to St James' Church, An Daingean. The surprise performance teas...
19/03/2026
***Issued by RT on behalf of RTS Ireland Awards / Gradaim RTS 2026...
16/03/2026
After a nail-biting Grand Finale, Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins has been announced as the winner of Dancing with the Stars 2026.
The four finalists each dance...
16/03/2026
Welcome to Moore Street will begin on RT One and RT Player on Thursday 19 Marc...
13/03/2026
RT has announced today that Rick O'Shea is the new presenter of Arena RT Radio 1's flagship weeknight arts and culture programme. Rick has been pres...
13/03/2026
Lights! Camera! Action! The 98th Oscars set to air live as RT backs the Irish n...
12/03/2026
The Late Late Show Show St Patrick's Day special
Dancing with the Stars f...
11/03/2026
TELL US YOUR (SHORT) STORIES
The 2026 RT Short Story Competition is now open for entries
Recognising and rewarding the best new Irish fiction writing for...
11/03/2026
RT 's The Traitors Ireland is among the nominees for the 2026 Celtic Media Festival Torc Awards for Excellence, announced today....
09/03/2026
A powerful new national initiative supporting people living with dementia launch...
06/03/2026
We are deeply saddened to hear the very sad news of the death of our friend and colleague, John McHugh. John was an exceptionally talented creative leader who s...
06/03/2026
First exclusive look at RT 's promo as Ireland prepare to take on Czechia
Every Moment, Every Generation
https://youtu.be/2ijo96EadLU
36 years after Geor...
05/03/2026
Celebrating 21 Years of the RT Choice Music Prize
RT Choice Music Prize
In association with IMRO and IRMA
RT Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year 2...
03/03/2026
RT is proud to support a rich and diverse programme of arts and cultural events taking place across Ireland throughout March 2026. This month brings a remarkab...
03/03/2026
RT Media Sales has announced Spry Finance has renewed it's sponsorship of M...
27/02/2026
One of Ireland's favourite lifestyle shows Home of the Year, returns for its 12th series and will be proudly sponsored by SIRO. The brand-new series will ai...
27/02/2026
Our Farm: A GIY Story lands on RT One and RT Player from March 3
From walled garden to community farm, new six-part series captures the unfiltered realities...
27/02/2026
Note: English version included below the Irish language version.
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026 ar RT
A Ghaeilge mo cheol th '
T feachtas athnuaite i n...
26/02/2026
There were two big wins for RT KIDS shows at the 17th Kidscreen Awards in San Diego this week with Maddie Triggs and BeddyByes both taking home gongs.
The K...
26/02/2026
RT has confirmed that it has today received payment from the GAA for its 50% share of GAAGO.
RT confirmed in February 2025 that it had agreed in principle wi...
26/02/2026
RT Statement regarding the broadcast of Republic of Ireland vs Israel Nations League fixture
If the match goes ahead and that is a decision for the FAI as ...
24/02/2026
Katharine Wolinska appointed to lead Partnerships
RT Commercial has announced ...
23/02/2026
Audience peak of over a million on RT 2 as Ireland beat England in the Six Natio...
20/02/2026
Other Voices returns to RT this Spring with performances from Dermot Kennedy, A...
17/02/2026
Celebrating 21 Years of the RT Choice Music Prize
RT Choice Music Prize
In association with IMRO and IRMA
Classic Irish Album
And the winning album is
T...
17/02/2026
RT has today announced that as part of its public-service remit, it will expand...
16/02/2026
RT News & Current Affairs has today announced the new appointments of journalis...
13/02/2026
New RT series tells stranger-than-fiction stories of Irish con artists
Swindlers airs Wednesday 18 February, 9.35pm on RT One and RT Player
Swindlers, a...
11/02/2026
The intergalactic children's show starring Adam King will premiere on 14 February on RT 2, RT KIDSjr and RT Player
The Late Late Toy Show star Adam King...
09/02/2026
RT Investigates rapid rise in waiting list for the Central Mental Hospital
am...
06/02/2026
The Winter Olympics 2026 in Milano Cortina officially get underway this evening (Friday 6 February) with the Opening Ceremony live on RT Player and RT News ch...
04/02/2026
Following the passing of our friend and colleague Hugh Wallace, and with the full support of his family, RT will proceed with the broadcast of the new series o...
29/01/2026
RT has today announced that Annette Malone has been appointed to the role of Chief People Officer, RT following a public competition.
As Chief People Officer...
27/01/2026
RT Supporting the Arts is delighted to support a dynamic programme of cultural events taking place across Ireland this February. From visual art, film, music, ...
26/01/2026
RT is today publishing a statistical summary of the Register of External Activities for the third quarter of 2025.
The RT Register of External Activities com...
24/01/2026
RT and Virgin Media Television kick off comprehensive free-to-air coverage of t...
23/01/2026
Find out where Sare and Suze are now on RT One and RT Player Thursday 29 January at 10.15pm
Hit drama SisterS, created by, written by and starring real-life ...
23/01/2026
RT is delighted to announce that the RT and F s ireann / Screen Ireland supported short film Retirement Plan has been nominated for Best Animated Short at th...
22/01/2026
Thursday 29 January 9:35pm on RT 2 and RT Player
The dating show returns with something old, something new and a dater you may already know
Thursday evenings...
21/01/2026
RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of Jackie Fox as its new Washington Correspondent. Jackie is a multimedia journalist with RT News and has repor...
19/01/2026
Celebrating 21 Years of the RT Choice Music Prize
RT Choice Music Prize
In association with IMRO and IRMA
Irish Album of the Year 2025 - Shortlist Announce...
15/01/2026
RT is tonight announcing that Mari Hurley has decided to leave her role as RT 's Chief Financial Officer to take up a new position outside RT . Mari will r...
14/01/2026
The first stamp of An Post's 2026 Stamp Programme, marking 100 Years of Broadcasting, was unveiled at the GPO by Patrick O'Donovan TD, Minister for Cult...
14/01/2026
It's official! Beverley Callard has landed in Carrigstown. The beloved actor, known for her unforgettable roles and iconic screen presence, is joining the c...
13/01/2026
Live broadcasts from RT 2FM Breakfast with Carl, Roz & Aisling, RT Radio 1 Tod...
12/01/2026
For the first time in the nine-year history of Dancing with the Stars, the first...
09/01/2026
RT Player has 157 million streams, up 10% year-on-year
An increase on 2024, RT...
09/01/2026
RT 2FM has today announced the highly anticipated list of 2FM Rising Artists for 2026, kicking off 2FM Rising week for the eighth year on The Tracy Clifford Sh...
09/01/2026
RT to Host the 2026 RTS Ireland Awards
Thursday, 16 April 2026 | Dublin Royal Convention Centre
The RTS Ireland Television Awards 2026 | Gradaim RTS 2026 | R...