The project outline

The next stage is to firm up the various ideas and suggestions which have been mooted during the consultation period and come up with a workable plan, or project outline. It is worth taking the time to get the plan right as it can save a lot of time and potential confusion later on. The key to a successful residency is to make absolutely clear what is expected from both parties and how aims will be achieved. It is also important that the teacher and artist agree the same aims and objectives.

The project outline for the residency can serve several functions. It can:-

• form the basis of the contractual agreement between the school and the artist
• be used to keep staff, parents and governors informed about progress
• help reduce or eliminate misunderstandings and misconceptions between artist and school
• constitute the first stage of an evaluation process - the plan against which achievements can be measured.

The actual structure of the residency should fall into place at this stage, as the design of the project will help decide construction elements such as: group numbers; the timetable; the amount of contact and non-contact time necessary; whether a block of time is needed or if the days should be spread out over several weeks; and whether there will be affiliated Inset or staff sessions, or assemblies.

The co-ordinating teacher and the artist need to draw up the residency plan/project outline together and it should contain:-

• a brief - a short description of the project; number and ages or key stage of the children, the theme, the media, any links to current class work / excursions.
• project aims - what is hoped to be achieved (by both the school and the artist) on the project; i.e. skills / knowledge developed, what the finished work will be like, how the artist / students will make decisions etc
• project process - how will the project be managed. This should also include the programme of work and timetable.

Bear in mind that school timetables can be mystifying for outsiders, especially the two week kind adopted by some secondary schools. You may need to provide the artist with a blank timetable, with the times of the school day, so that you can fill in your contact and non-contact time. It is also useful to have a list of participating groups, their class name, age band and teacher's name.