Ashford School is looking for a dynamic, engaging and dedicated artist to join the Art department in 2019-20 as Artist in Residence. This role will require an artist who is committed to both their own practice and the continued cultural development of students at Ashford School. The successful applicant will be expected to maintain a strong presence in the department whilst being supported in developing their own practice. The position is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.  The applicant will have the benefits of free accommodation on site for an academic year with no bills and free food (during term time)

The Art Department has extensive facilities including painting studios, ceramic and 3D studio, kiln, printmaking studio with various intaglio presses, photographic studio, darkroom, PC suite with full Adobe Creative software, access to laser cutting and 3D printing, as well as the support of a full time technician. These facilities will be at the disposal of the successful candidate.

Applicants must have a current portfolio of work detailing both their past practice and their plans for future projects, particularly what they would be working on during their residency. Artists working in any medium will be considered for the position.

Whilst single-person accommodation and board and will be provided the position is unsalaried; the aim of the residency is to support an early or mid-career artist whilst they find a way to establish and support themselves in the industry. As such the residency will be flexible with the distribution and timing of the candidate’s contribution to school life.

The Art department seeks to provide a lively, stimulating and supportive environment, where pupils are tutored and encouraged to investigate and research ideas within a structured programme of teaching.

We have an invaluable full-time art technician and the subject is taught by a team of three teachers. Great emphasis is placed upon teamwork and communication, and each member has his/her own area of professional responsibility and expertise. The primary disciplines within our curriculum are painting, printmaking, drawing, ceramics, photography and sculpture, and new media but this does not pre-empt further development.

Each year, our pupils regularly gain places on Art Foundation, Architecture, and other specialist degree courses.

About the Artist-in-Residence role

The value of having an artist working on site for a year is inestimable in that:

• It enables pupils and teaching staff to witness at first-hand the processes and influences that an artist engages with daily
• Pupils and staff are given an opportunity to work alongside an individual who is actively building a career as an Artist.

The person appointed is expected to value the opportunity to engage with young people both in and out of the classroom. He or she will be required to run a fifty minute after school activity on a day convenient to them, once a week. Within the main role as a committed, skilled Artist the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Run a fifty-minute, art afternoon activity, once per week for art scholars (Organising an exhibition of this pupil work usually around January, this can be flexible and can include the artist’s work if they wish.  It can be at school or further afield)
• Welcome staff and pupils to their Studio space (situated within the Art Department)
• Promote their artistic specialism within the School
• Ensure that the Artist-in-Residence studio space is a lively, interactive environment
• Undertake a solo exhibition of recent work at their choice of venue.  To be organised by the Artist-in-Residence, the school will help to promote the show and provide refreshments.
• Artists may choose to involve themselves in school life by talking to pupils about their work and the artists that have influenced them.

The school will offer single-person accommodation for one academic year, including board during term time.

Once you have completed the application form, please email our Head of Art, Mrs Nicole Rayner raynern@ashfordschool.co.uk with a selection of digital images of recent work and/or links to your website along with a written statement regarding your art practice and creative intentions.

Essential information

If invited for interview you will be given an opportunity to tour the school, meet key staff and demonstrate your suitability at interview. Any offer would be subject to two suitable references, an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check, proof of the right to live/work in the UK and evidence of stated qualifications.

Note – We reserve the right to interview and offer to a strong candidate prior to the closing date. It is strongly recommended that candidates submit their applications as soon as possible