Designing a project

You need to consider a range of factors when designing a project. It is well worth making plans in advance. A planning period allows all those taking part in the project to contribute to decisions.

Artists may be good communicators or have teaching experience. However, they are less likely to have the classroom management ability of full-time teachers and - from a legal point of view - you should not leave them in sole charge of pupils. It is a good idea to nominate a co-ordinating teacher who will be the main contact person for the artists. It is also as well to remember that pupils and teachers all know each other and the school, whereas the artist is entering a new environment and will need to find their way and familiarise themselves with pupils' work and abilities in a relatively short time.

Asking yourself the following questions may throw up points of discussion when planning a residency:-

• What kind of project do you want? A short one in a concentrated timescale or a more sustained project spanning several weeks?
• Will it be a one-off project or might it be integrated into the curriculum?
• How will you accommodate the artist? Do you have room for them to set up a temporary 'studio' or base?
• How will access to the artist be organised? Will they need non-contact time to plan, prepare or make their work?
• Do you want the artist to directly teach, or will staff take responsibility for conveying ideas and skills?
• How will pupils' sessions with the artist be supervised?
• What kind of preparation can the school carry out so that it makes the maximum possible use of the artist's time?
• Where can work be exhibited?
• How will teachers introduce the artist? What questions might pupils want to ask him or her?
• Will you require the artist to give a slide talk about their work and influences?
• What information will you require from the artist about him or herself, their work and career?
• How much does the artist need to know about the art and design curriculum and about the day-to-day running of the school? Who will take responsibility for briefing them?
• Will you offer Inset or twilight sessions to teachers?
• How will you document and evaluate the residency? How will you measure its impact?