Information for Schools
Why Host An Artist In My School?
Artists in schools programs enable students and teachers to interact and learn from the professional arts community .
Current research indicates numerous benefits for students engaged in artists in schools programs. The benefits include the development of problem solving and creative skills, increased self-esteem and improved achievement in other learning areas. Arts in education experiences within schools allow students to take risks and try something new within a safe, supportive and familiar environment.
Hosting a visiting artist is an opportunity for teachers to develop their skills and professional knowledge in different approaches to teaching and learning. Many come out of the experience with increased confidence in their own creative skills and their ability to facilitate students’ creative work, not only in the Arts Learning Area, but across the whole Curriculum Framework.
How can I involve artists in my school?
Schools have the option of organising incursions, in which the artist visits the school; or excursions, in which students and staff visit the artists outside of school grounds. There are advantages to both options.
- Artists in residence
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An artist in residence allows an artist to carry out creative work at a school over a period of time. The artist works closely with students and the classroom teacher, using their own work, ideas and skills as the catalysts for students’ own creative explorations.
- Visiting artists
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Artists can visit schools for a few hours or a full day to present performances, demonstrations, workshops or master classes. These are more likely to be on a one-off basis than as a continuous program. While the connection that the artists can make with students in this time is limited, these events are less time-consuming to organise than a residency, and can be easier to accommodate within a busy school timetable.
- Excursions
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An excursion is a visit to a place outside of school grounds, for example an artist’s studio, or a theatre. Many venue-based institutions run in-house education programs and/or employ Education Officers who can explain their programs and may be able to tailor them for your school.
