Mentoring Scheme 2009

Mentors: Andy Jones and Lindsay Duncanson.
Mentees: Adam Phillips, Steve Bird, Claire Rousell, Andy Lovatt, Benjamin Freeth, Ema Lee, Ron Singh and Kirsten Dwight

Background information about ISIS Arts' Mentoring Schemes

Over the last five years ISIS Arts has been running mentoring schemes for practising artists wishing to work more effectively in schools. This was as a result of a marked increase in the number of arts in education projects in the region and not enough highly trained artists able to deliver them.

Each year the mentoring programme has been delivered across different schools within Northumberland and with professional artists from a range of artforms. Artists are helped to devise and run their own school based projects in supportive, yet 'real' situations working alongside experienced artists. Over 40 artists have been trained since this mentoring programme started.

Advanced mentoring schemes have been developed to broaden the artist's skills and experience of working within this sector. Programmes with early years settings and with special schools have been developed. Further schemes, specifically targeting filmmakers and media artists, have been supported by Northern Film and Media and the Arts Council collaborated on a scheme for culturally diverse artists.

The schemes are undertaken in a supportive environment and provide a useful introduction to the formal education system. They contribute to individual professional and creative practice and provide a greater understanding of career options within the sector. During the programme, mentees meet and collaborate with artists from across art disciplines and experiences, serving to extend their creative practice, provide valuable insights into themselves and increasing their self-confidence.

As a result of the programme, they not only gain useful insights into different approaches and methods of teaching, communication and technical techniques, but they learn time management and business skills and are provided with new contacts and networks.

The programme enhances teachers'/schools' understanding of contemporary visual art and the role of artists and gives them the confidence both to engage artists in the future and to deliver arts activities themselves. Through their exposure to new and original creative experiences, teachers become aware of alternative approaches to teaching, and the impact of creative learning on students' behaviour, concentration and creativity.