How to collaborate with artists

An insight into the professional arts world.

How to collaborate with artists

An insight into the professional arts world. A chance to try innovative methods and techniques. Career inspiration. The impact for students of linking with artists can be significant. But how should schools go about planning and evaluating work with artists and arts organisations?

The effective investment of resources such as money and time is high on any school’s agenda. Is the work you do strategic? Are you investing in activity that can make the most difference and have the highest impact possible? Are you looking for new relationships to add to your organisation, as well as critically reviewing long-standing relationships? Is there a shared system that clearly identifies the principles and processes involved for any staff working with artists or arts organisations? Thinking in this way helps develop an approach that can be unique to your setting, while creating a culture of good practice that is identifiable and recognisable.

Here’s a quick guide to establishing enriching relationships that will make a positive contribution to your school:

• A need in your school is identified, eg a gap in teaching skills needed for a curriculum area, to introduce a new topic with a ‘wow’ factor or to provide an after-school club
• You research artists/arts organisations who can help fulfil that need
• You undertake a selective recruitment process matching the right expertise to the needs and resources your organisation has identified
• You liaise with the recruited artist/arts organisation to discuss your needs, any ideas you may have, give them a brief including clear objectives and ask for their ideas and input. You may also involve young people in this process
• You agree on a way forward together, including how and when to review what is working well, and what needs changing, throughout and at the end
• Activity takes place and is reviewed by staff, artists and young people. Colleagues, family members, external specialists and others may also feed into this
• Work and feedback is reviewed, leading to outcomes, successes and impact being identified
• Successes such as impact, final arts or creative work are shared within school and possibly with the wider school community
• Organisational learning from the experience feeds into future planning for the young people, staff or school

This guide is an extract from a resource available via the online area of the Artsmark network. Artsmark is a sign of commitment to high quality arts and cultural education which supports successful and sustainable relationships between schools and arts and cultural organisations. 

The Artsmark network provides valuable specialist advice about developing and building your arts and cultural provision. Online support includes resources to help develop your arts provision, guidance on how to write an arts policy and ideas on how to find inspiration and source partners.

Through the network you can also access the Artsmark forum where you can join discussions, pose questions, get advice and share your practice with Artsmark experts.There is also the opportunity to profile your work via the Artsmark blog.

To join the Artsmark network go to . Network members can also apply for Artsmark status which demonstrates that your school or setting values the arts and culture through a broad and balanced curriculum.

Artsmark can help to demonstrate Ofsted’s requirements around:

• spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
• quality of leadership and management
• the achievement of pupils

Artsmark is Arts Council England’s flagship programme which enables schools and other organisations to evaluate, strengthen and celebrate their arts and cultural provision. It is delivered by Trinity College London and 10 regional Bridge organisations drive participation.