Teaching and Learning - Artist-in-Residence


	Teaching and Learning
	Artist-in-Residence

Opportunity

Definition

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

Any school can have an artist-in-residence. It is a wonderful opportunity to promote the arts and have a role model for students.

Modelling is effective teaching

We would define an artist-in-residence as someone from the arts, probably a visual artist, who would spend time in your school and make themselves available to the students. This person would become a valued member of the school community, an part of the staff and be a visible role model.

Darnell Tapaquon demonstrating a unique and colorful style of painting to fascinated onlookers.

First of all you need to find an artist.You just have to keep an eye out. Sometimes people come into your school that you learn things about and realize that they could play a role you never even imagined. There may be somebody who lives right in your community. The life of an artist is rarely an easy one so the things that you, as a school, have to offer might be a big asset. Find out all you can about the person you think could be an artist for your school. Discuss the possibility with them. The position is loaded with possibilities. In what way could you enhance their life as an artist? What opportunities could you provide for them? Could you provide them with a bright open space in which to work? Could you set them up with materials for their work? Could you give them exposure? Could you display their work when there are parent, family or community events?

"Bed of Nails" by Meredith Inverarity, 2002

Painting by Joe Tapaquon 2002

You would need an extra space where this artist could work on their craft whenever they were at the school. This space would need to be able to be secured when the artist was not there. How much time they would be at the school would depend upon the artist, their availability and commitment. A university student would have a schedule that you would have to work around. A full time artist could possibly be more flexible.

You would need to secure some funding. Promoting artists and art is a worthwhile endeavor and funding could be secured through a number of sources. If you had a First Nation's artist funding could possibly be secured through some sort of equity fund that a school board may have in plce. Businesses and companies could be sold on the idea. It would be seen as a way of supporting the arts and the community. Many schools have partnerships and these partners are often looking for ways to support the school.

Painting by Darnell Tapaquon 2002