An interview with Chief Executive, Rebecca Boyle Suh
(Buzz)
Tell us about the first school where Artis
worked...
That was Moulsham Infant School
in Essex - and I'm pleased to say they're still with us. This is
when our story began in 2004. It was an extraordinary feeling to
have that first engagement. Soon we had a group of 10 schools
working with us, and by the end of 2004, we'd engaged 36.
Today we work with 150 schools, reaching some 35,000 children
weekly.
And who was the first Artis Specialist?
Our first Artis Specialist was Claire Smith (Pow) - and she's
also still with us. We now have a panel of around 150 Artis
Specialists, and each one has their own unique style as a
professional performer. Whatever discipline they come from in the
performing arts, we expect every Artis Specialist to combine music,
drama and movement in their work. We also demand a thorough
understanding of the working life of a school and how to plan
lessons that combine curriculum themes. In this way Artis becomes
an integral part of school life.
People comment on the quality of Artis Specialists.
What's the secret?
Our expectations are
high, but so is the support we offer. We invest up to £2,000 a year
in training and developing each Artis Specialist, and our mentoring
scheme ensures we have a network of more experienced practitioners
to observe, guide and counsel their colleagues. At the moment we
have 17 Mentors and 4 Mentor Leaders. So while all our Artis
Specialists are freelancers, there is a career path they can follow
if it's right for them. We now also offer a Postgraduate Diploma
qualification. Royal Northern College of Music validates the
course and it forms an extension of our standard training. Artis
Specialists opting to take this qualification either make a
financial contribution, or we have a scheme where they can offset
days worked for us against course costs.
Has Artis ever turned
down a school?
Never. Of course there are
schools with challenges, and some are more demanding than others.
Yet it's not a simple case of saying 'this school is in an urban
location, therefore it's hard work'. There are beautiful, inspiring
schools everywhere, and children that are hard to reach in
prosperous areas as well as economically disadvantaged ones. I
think the headteacher and his or her staff sets the school's
culture. We aim to fit in to every school and be part of the team.
It's always easier when there is an ethos that embraces and places
importance on creative learning.
Artis has an inclusive policy.
We teach all children. This includes pupils with special needs in
mainstream schools as well as schools dedicated to special needs.
We also work with many faith schools and those serving the needs of
cultural groups, for example, traveller children.
Are you surprised by
Artis' progress so far?
Setting up a
business is like taking a ride in a theme park. It's exhilarating,
fun, fast-paced and a little bit scary. And of course there are
always some unexpected moments!
I'm pleased we're
working towards the vision of a social business we had when we set
out - to give every child we meet a creative learning experience
that links to their curriculum. I feel privileged to be doing this,
and perhaps a little astonished. I never thought of myself as a
person who might set up a business. I'd say that I'm more of an
accidental entrepreneur. There's an intrinsic satisfaction that
makes me feel I couldn't do any other job. My work is enjoyable,
creative, and it has a purpose. I'm hugely pleased with where we
are now. We've progressed quickly yet have always kept our
integrity and sense of purpose.
What is the future for Artis? Where would you like the
company to be in ten years?
I'd like the benefits of our company to reach even more
children across the UK, and maybe even further afield.
Providing there is a genuine commitment and belief among education
policymakers about the power of creativity and its links to
learning, I feel we have an approach that can cross languages and
cultures. While building the business is important to our future
impact, so is preserving the quality of our services, which is a
central part of Artis' reputation.
Who gives you your inspiration?
Artis is fortunate to have strong support from our patrons David
Puttnam and Michael Bichard, advisers Evelyn Glennie and Nitin
Sawhney and directors. They all give us their professional
judgement that helps shape our business development. We're also
lucky to have such a great team of Artis Specialists dedicated to
giving their very best to every young person they work with. They
live the Every Child Matters philosophy. Backing them up we have a
great management team who are truly enthusiastic about Artis and
keep us all on our toes.
I guess my greatest inspiration comes from the
children we work with every week. They constantly reinforce how
great the power of creativity can be to our development. I often
think about Picasso saying that every child is an artist. The
challenge is how to remain an artist once we grow up, and staying
connected to the creative part of human nature that is in each of
us. So often it becomes buried under the weight of what we consider
to be the more pressing or important parts of adult life. Everyone
connected with Artis has a real commitment to nurturing the
instinctive creativity of children.
By Kay Pringle