Why Bring a Visiting Artist Into Your Primary School?

With the pressure on schools to focus on the core curriculum, art can sometimes get pushed further down the list. But bringing a visiting artist into school can give children the opportunity to experience art in a different way, work with unfamiliar materials and create something they may not otherwise have the chance to make.

As an artist and a qualified teacher, I have worked with primary schools across the UK for many years, delivering art and craft workshops for individual classes, groups and whole schools. One of the things I enjoy most is seeing how children respond when they are given the chance to try something new.

Felt Making in School

A different experience for children

There is something exciting about having someone new come into school with a room full of materials and a completely different project.

A visiting artist can introduce children to techniques and materials that teachers may not have the time, resources or specialist knowledge to explore in depth.

For example, children might work with wool and soap to create a wet-felted picture, learn traditional willow weaving techniques or make their own recycled paper.

The process is often just as important as the finished piece. Children have to make decisions, solve problems and work out how materials behave as they experiment.

Visiting Artist in School

Art can link to the curriculum

An art workshop doesn't have to sit separately from everything else happening in school.

Art can be a great way of exploring a history topic, book, festival, place or theme in a more creative way.

I've worked with schools on projects linked to topics including Ancient Egypt, the Vikings, the Great Fire of London and World Book Day. A piece of artwork can give children another way to explore something they have already been learning about.

It can also be a useful way of bringing different subjects together. A project might involve research, discussion, drawing and designing before children even begin making.

It gives teachers new ideas too

A visiting artist isn't just there for the children.

I always hope that teachers take away ideas, techniques or approaches that they can use again in their own art lessons.

Sometimes seeing how a material can be used, or watching how an artist introduces a technique, can give teachers the confidence to try something new with their class.

I also offer CPD and INSET sessions for schools, giving teachers the opportunity to develop their own skills and explore different art techniques.