Brief - Artsmark Trainers
Artsmark Trainers
Artsmark is Arts Council England’s national programme that enables schools, further education colleges and youth justice settings to evaluate, celebrate and strengthen a quality arts offer. Following a review we are re-launching Artsmark in September 2011, and as part of the re-launched programme we want to support a training programme for applicants to prepare them for the application process.
To achieve this we need to ensure that a network of trainers is in place across the country, and we are therefore offering Train the Trainers courses nationally. This leaflet gives you the information on what is required of Artsmark Trainers, and how to apply.
Background
Arts Council England works to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people’s lives.
As the national development agency for the arts, we support a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, carnival to crafts.
Great art inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better.
Between 2008 and 2011 we’ve invested in excess of £1.6 billion of public money from the government and the National Lottery to create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.
Artsmark background
Artsmark has been running for ten years and currently almost 20% of schools in England hold an Artsmark award. To date it has served as an excellent measure of arts provision in and out of curriculum time as well as recognising partnerships with professional artists and organisations. It has also enabled schools to embed arts development as an integral part of their wider improvement plans, as referenced in the Self Evaluation Form and recognised by Ofsted.
Artsmark has been under review for the past year and we are pleased to announce the re-launch of the scheme in September 2011. The programme will now provide the following:
- A structured and in depth online auditing tool
- Rigorous criteria against which applicants can benchmark their provision
- The support of arts education professionals throughout the assessment process
- The creation of a network of organisations committed to high quality, broad and sustainable arts provision.
For further information about the scheme please visit
Artsmark – Train the Trainer
Experience of previous rounds has shown that potential applicants for Artsmark benefit from taking part in training before they apply. Arts Council England is keen to support the provision of training across the country, and from Artsmark Round 12 in 2011/2 we will therefore be delivering Train the Trainer sessions nationally for training professionals.
Following successful completion of the training you will become a recognised Artsmark Trainer, and you will be listed on our website and receive training materials. The designation of Artsmark Trainer will apply for 12 months.
Criteria for becoming an Artsmark Trainer
Recognised Artsmark Trainers will be professionals working in arts education, and may be employees of local authorities, other educational bodies or cultural organisations, or could be independent freelancers.
Applicants will be asked to show how they fulfil the following criteria:
- A collaborative approach, in particular demonstrating experience of working in partnership and developing strong relationships with the arts and education sectors
- Understanding of assessment processes and criteria
- Understanding of best practice in arts education in schools and other education settings
- Knowledge of the arts in relation to other curriculum areas
- Awareness of current arts and education policy
- A commitment to advocating for Artsmark in your area
Fees and expenses
Train the Trainers Course
There will be no cost to attend the course this year. However we expect that you will send us details of all Artsmark training sessions that you run and contact details for attendees to include a contact email address. (As you will be handling personal information about individuals you must comply with legal obligations to protect that information under the Data Protection Act 1998)
Training Sessions
We will promote your training sessions on our website, but all other promotion and administration arrangements will be handled by individual trainers or their employing organisation.
We expect the fee youcharge to participants to cover your daily rate and any associated costs such as room hire and refreshments. Therefore we expect an appropriate fee for participants to be £30 - £100 per person. Any training opportunities that you provide should be in line with this, and if this is not the case we will remove your details from our website.
Application process
To attend the Artsmark, Train the Trainers course and become a recommended Artsmark Trainer, please fill in the application form and send by email to . You will be notified of the outcome of your application at the beginning of August.
Each trainer must provide one reference, which should be from a representative of a partner organisation with whom you have collaborated previously (e.g. arts or creative organisation, local authorities or educational setting). Where relevant this should be from an Arts Council regional office or local authority.
Applications will be assessed against the criteria outlined above by Arts Council staff, and the Arts Council reserves the right to hold a short phone interview with identified applicants and/or their referee if required.
Deadline for applications – Midnight, Sunday 31 July 11
Arts Council contacts
Hannah Evans, Officer, Artsmark will be the main point of contact
0207 973 5211
Kate Attard, Senior Officer, Artsmark & Arts Award is the project lead ,
0207 973 5154