Meeting the artist

As a teacher you may already have firm ideas about the type of work you want an artist to carry out before they start. You may find that artists come up with ideas or suggestions you had not previously considered. An artist's approach to the residency may prove especially appealing and significant - the core activities of drawing and painting may prove just as valuable as introducing a new medium or technique.

When you have your initial meeting with the artist, it is best to try and avoid the temptation of concentrating on the detail, such as group numbers, timetables and so on, too soon. These details can be worked out once the project itself is agreed. At this point it is important to explore the ideas the artist has for the residency and let him or her know what you want to achieve. Ask the artist to bring with them examples of work and/or examples of work carried out in other schools, as this will often stimulate the discussion. Also, it is worth taking time to show the artist the school, the kind of art and design activities pupils have carried out in the past and the sorts of materials they are familiar with.

The following questions are typical ones you may need to ask at an initial meeting with the artist:-

• What type of project would you like to undertake?
• What end results do you have in mind?
• Can you give an introductory talk showing either slides or examples of your work?
• What materials do you use in your work?
• Can pupils and teachers use these materials?
• Are there any particular health and safety issues we need to consider?
• How do you research you work? Could our pupils follow a similar process?
• Which specific skills or techniques will teachers and pupils need to learn for the residency?

• What would you like pupils and teachers to understand about your work?
• What would you like pupils and teachers to learn by coming into contact with you?
• Which other artists have influenced you?
• Can you provide some written information about yourself which we can show to staff, parents, governors and pupils before you arrive?
• Can you mount an exhibition of your work for the duration of the residency?
• Can you offer Inset training?

The following questions may be asked of you by the artist:-

• What does the school want to achieve by the residency?
• What kind of art and design work have pupils carried out in the past?
• Which materials and tools are the pupils familiar with?
• Are they able to use (pliers, saws, hammers, large brushes, printing rollers, clay tools etc.)?
• What are the basic stock materials (types of paper, card, glue tape, etc.)?
• Do you want these materials to be used or new ones introduced?
• Have pupils looked at other artists' work? If so, whose?
• Will the residency link with cross-curricular work?
• Are you able to take pupils out on a visit as preparation or as a stimulus for the residency?
• Do you want me to work with pupils, teachers or both?
• Do you want me to teach directly?
• Do you want me to make my work in such a way that pupils and teachers can observe the techniques employed?
• Where will I be based?
• Who will show me where everything is?
• How will I find out about the different ages and abilities of pupils?
• Will a teacher give me some guidance about the suitability of my ideas for the age and ability of pupils?
• Would the school be prepared to set up an account with my usual supplier, subject to agreement on purchases for specific materials?
• Is there insurance cover for my own work being displayed at the school?
• Does the school's insurance cover my liability for working with the children?

Once this exchange of ideas and information has taken place, both you and the artist will probably need time to reflect. It is reasonable to request a written proposal at this stage. Sometimes, artists like to make a second visit to ask more questions or simply to observe. For setting up the residency, the appointment of a co-ordinating teacher who can maintain a regular dialogue with the artist is likely to be a great advantage from hereon.