A checklist for arts projects in schools

 Teachers

  • Make sure the artist has a valid CRB check and public liability insurance if necessary.
  • Ask to see the artist’s portfolio and CV before employing them to work with you, to check they have relevant experience.
  • Most importantly check the artist’s references before agreeing to employ them. 
  • Define clearly to the artist what their role will be whilst working within your school and give them a project brief beforehand with clear outlines, aims and outcomes.
  • Allow the artist to have time to plan work as part of the contract.
  • Agree and sign a basic contract with the artist before they begin working at the school (see our template contract)
  • Agree how you will evaluate the work with the students and record what happened
  • Plan some lead up activities to prepare the children for the artist’s visit. You can ask the artist for some good ideas.
  • Do a risk assessment for the activity and ask the artist to help with this.
  • Check with the artist who the finished work will belong to.
  • Do expect to be present in the class whilst the artist is working with the students and to carry out a disciplinary role should students behave inappropriately.
  • Do ensure the workspace is in a suitable condition before the class/workshop commences.

 Artists

  • Work out your fees for the project beforehand (see information on fees)
  • Make sure you have a valid CRB and public liability insurance and any equipment you are bringing into the school is insured.
  • Provide the school with a draft contract/agreement they can use (see our template contract)
  • Make sure you plan each lesson and are well prepared beforehand with materials and a lesson plan.
  • Find out: How many sessions you want to take place, how old the children are, how big the groups are, what time the sessions will take place, are there any particular needs and what space will be used.
  • What equipment is needed and who will provide it?
  • Before the sessions start make sure you have looked into health and safety in the classroom and completed a risk assessment.
  • If you are using any chemicals check out the COSHH guidelines (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm
  • Think about how your and the school are going to document the project. If you will be taking photographs ensure you have the appropriate permissions from the school to use the images in the public domain.
  • Make sure you complete an evaluation for yourself and the school after the project is finished.
  • Ask the school for feedback on the session and if they thought it went well, what could you have done to make it better etc.