Additional guidelines for schools

Q: Who can apply?
A: Any secondary school can apply for AiR Scheme funding, but we will no longer consider applications for projects that only benefit a single school. Please check with your education authority that your county isn't involved in a long term funding agreement for AiS projects (this applies particularly to areas of West Wales). To qualify for funding the projects should involve either a) two or more schools b) a school and a community group (e.g. community education, youth club, adult education)

We prefer projects which link secondary and primary schools, or which benefit primary clusters, but this is not a firm requirement. We would also prefer projects to run for at least half a term/six weeks, so that the artist can become part of the school community.

Application timetable
Setting up good Artist in Schools (AiS) residencies takes time. To ensure that you get the best/most appropriate artist for the job please allow plenty of time in advance of your project start date. It is advisable to allow at least four months, especially if you are looking for more than £5,000 of CC . AW funding as this has to be approved by an external panel. Projects whose budgets exceed £5,000 must be advertised. This can take three months from the placing of the advert (six weeks in advance) to the interview date.

Please remember that the responsibility for the safety of your pupils rests with you. You will know how long Police Checks take to be made in your area and ensuring that they are made on time will be your responsibility or the responsibility of your Education Authority.

Some points to consider

• Can you offer the artist his or her own studio base (preferably not in the corner of a classroom? )
• Is your timetable flexible enough to allow you to get the most out of the project?
• Will you want there to be a permanent legacy of the project? If you do, are you satisfied about potential health & safety, technical and maintenance issues.