Post of Artist in Residence

Our Artist in Residence to August 2009 is Iona McCuaig.

We appoint a new Artist in Residence to start each September. Please do not apply for the Artist in Residence post before 1st March - interviews will normally be held in May. If you want to find out more about this post then email artdepartment@friends.org.uk

Over the years Friends' School has invited practising artists to work within the art department and the benefits to both the school and the various artists have been great. The role of the Artist in Residence has been one of setting an example of good practice to, in particular, 6th form art students, but also to all those involved in art within the school.

The residency allows the opportunity for the artist to pursue their own work. They have a workspace within the art department and an allowance for materials, within reason. It is hoped that a close working relationship will develop between the artist in residence and members of the art department, inspiring students, particularly in their own specialist area.

There is no commitment to teaching within the art department, but obviously a willingness to be involved in all the activities of the department will be expected. These will involve several main areas:

Help with exam preparation of any students that have specialised in the residents' area of work and support for those students

An exhibition at the end of the year, showing work done during the year, will be arranged in the last few weeks of the summer term

We sometimes take a group of 6th form art students to Paris, Amsterdam or another major art centre during the year and the artist in residence will be offered a free place on this trip, if they wish.

Open days and parents' evenings will usually require attendance

The artist in residence is required to run a Saturday morning activity and to help with supervision duties at present on Saturday mornings, Sunday evenings and at times during the week. Residence in school involves a considerable number of boarding duties, in return for which accommodation, is offered without charge. School meals are also provided during term time without charge.

The salary for the year is £4,200 - not a lot, but on top of this you do get a materials allowance (within reason), a studio space and, of course, all your meals during term time.

During the year there may be opportunities to earn extra money by running extra activities or perhaps doing extra duties, beyond those required by the school in return for accommodation.

Please will all applicants send me a full curriculum vitae, completed application form with details of two referees, twelve slides of your recent work and a brief statement saying how you think you could benefit the school.If you are interested in this appointment then please apply as soon as possible after 1st March as interviews are likely to take place in May. All slides will be returned at this time.

Any further information you may require about the school can be obtained by either 'phoning the school for a prospectus or by exploring this website or by emailing artdepartment@friends.org.uk

We hope the artist in residence will have a very enjoyable and useful year, which will benefit all. I look forward to hearing from you.

Click here to find out more about the Art Department at Friends' School.

Serena O'Connor
Head of Art