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What is Arteach?

Arteach are four Lancashire-based women artists who have come together to promote the role of professional artists working within schools and to support each other in their aims to provide a quality experience of working with an artist for both learner and school.

Why have an artist in school?

When an artist and a teacher collaborate effectively something remarkable happens: pupils engage with their learning: learning is perceived to be fun: there is pride in achievement and wonder too: 'I never thought I would be able to'. The visiting, practising local artist provides a wholly positive role model to all. All learners are included as the artist will demonstrate and break down each activity into appropriate steps or stages so teachers feel supported as all pupils engage in positive a learning activity. The learner will be able to build on their own work, extending this in new areas such as 3D construction and textiles. Teachers can learn new skills with outcomes becoming visually competent and attractive and often larger in scale too. This makes it easier for achievements to be shared and celebrated: within class through class evaluation: with the whole school community through exhibition and celebrating in assembly: including parents and families by taking objects and records home: there are always more unexpected individual outcomes too.

Can you afford to have an artist in your school/centre?

There are many ways of funding an artist within school and talking to a member of Arteach may help in finding out more. Various ways of funding have come from Local and National Government initiatives, Community Chests, PTA fundraising, Arts Organisations and Arts Development Officers. Maybe we can point you I the right direction.

How much will it cost?

Our fees are set out within a payment structure pages along with contracts and checklists. All fees are negotiable along side materials, preparation and finishing costs.

Why have an artist from Arteach?

The Artists that work with Arteach are well known and experienced practitioners within their own fields as well as that of art education. We have a vast array of experiences with one member working within an educational setting for over 18 years. Arteach artists pride themselves on providing an enjoyable experience; building confidences with art materials and givng value for money for the host.

How do we book an artist?

Firstly contact the artist by phone or email, which maybe more convenient for both teacher and artist if both are teaching, to check artist’s availability and mutual interest and then arrange a meeting to talk about the project. The ARTEACH artists can be contacted out of school hours. Likewise, if you are hard to get hold of during school hours you may leave your home telephone number if you wish. If at all possible arrange a meeting to talk about the project, either at the school or at the artist’s studio. This initial meeting is very important to establish the needs of both the artist and the school and to explore what can be achieved within the timescales and funding secured for the project. You can download the ARTEACH planning checklist to help make sure the most important topics are covered from this site. Arteach artists do except in exceptional circumstances have to charge a fee of £75 per planning meeting plus travel @ 40p/mile. If artist and school have worked together previously, or if the project you have in mind is very small and funding is severely limited, you may opt to do your initial planning by phone (making sure you put in place ongoing evaluation), for which there is no charge. It goes without saying that the most successful projects are those that are based on a good level of understanding between artist and teacher, where each can be supportive of the other. The most important two people to be present at a planning meeting are the teacher(s) in charge of the participating young people and the artist. Input/ideas, interest and support from the school management are invaluable and always welcome. It always pays off for any other participating adults such as auxiliary staff to attend the meeting if at all possible. Not only participating children will stand to benefit from the opportunity to work with an artist, but school staff too and through them the children in years to come.

What do we need to provide as a host/school?

The artist will go through with the school what needs to be available for the workshops which may be easy access to water or a request to cover tables before the workshop begins. The school needs to provide a teacher to work alongside the artist as the artist is only responsible for the delivery of the art workshop and the teacher must be available to control behaviour and to participate with in the workshop itself. This should all be discussed before the artist comes in to deliver the first workshop and is normally sorted out within the first meeting with the school.

What should a host/school expect from the artist?

Any materials or equipment should be sorted out within the initial meeting(s) with the host/school. The artist will provide any specialist equipment that maybe required for the workshop and this is normally provided on the day. The school should expect a experienced artist to be professional at all times in conduct and behaviour and to deliver the workshop to the best of their abilities. To engage the participants fully in all aspects of the artwork and to provide an exciting experience to be remembered by all.

What if we dont know what kind of outcome we want?

The artist will come in to school and discuss with the teachers what can be achieved within the timescale of budget available. This could include an experience for participants who have never worked in clay, textiles, etc or it could be working on a large site-specific piece of work or series of works to be displayed in the school or community.

Can the artist work on any theme?

Each artist has his or her own ideas or themes that underpin their own work. This does not necessarily rule them out to work on other project themes. All our artists are flexible enough to plan and develop projects working with the hosts to produce a vast array of work relating to all aspects of the curriculum.

What do we do about payments?

The artist will invoice the school for the amount agreed at the beginning of the project. All artists expect to be paid within 30 days of completion. If using clay will the work be fired? This depends on the nature of the work, the budget and also on the artist involved with the project. This can be worked out within the initial meeting with the artist, as costs would be incurred for any finishing or firings.

If using clay will the work be fired?

This depends on the nature of the work, the budget and also on the artist involved with the project. This can be worked out within the initial meeting with the artist, as costs would be incurred for any finishing or firings.

Can we keep the work once it has been returned to the school?

This is dependant on the project. If the work is the whole or part of a piece and the outcome is to exhibit or place on permanent display then the work will be kept by the commissioner. In this instance there may be an opportunity within the budget and timescale to produce work to be taken home this must be discussed at the initial meeting. If the work is a taster session of an experience then that is left up to the host to decide what the destination of the pieces.