Is the programme free to schools?
Yes.
Where are ArtScreens located in a school?
The displays are in high-traffic locations – canteens, school halls, and Sixth Form common rooms – where students are able to relax and contemplate the art. ArtScreens are high-resolution, non-reflective TV monitors displaying fine art to best advantage. The screens are surrounded by museum-style picture frames which catch the eye and lend dignity to the art.
We control all screens and content across our network, relieving busy school administrators of this responsibility. ArtScreens only display art and content related to arts and culture.
What exactly is the programming?
Sensations exhibition themes include museums’ highlights, artists and periods, and - most importantly - themes relevant to a young audience: identity, personal interests, social issues, and the natural world. An exhibition is composed of ten artworks, divided into two weekly parts, and is often presented by a museum curator, an artist, or a cultural personality.
The weekly show features five artworks in a 10-minute video, playing in a loop during lunchtime and break time. Outside of breaks, the screens display one work (one for each day of the week) from 8am to 4pm, thus avoiding distraction and allowing contemplation. Over the course of a forty-week school year, students will enjoy twenty exhibitions with a total of 200 works.
Are the children just looking at the art? What is educational?
There’s much more to the Sensations programme than just pictures on the screen. But all engagement with art begins with looking. With Sensations, children will see more art in a year than they would normally see in a lifetime. We amaze our young audience with stunning images displayed at scale. We provide context by packaging the art into weekly exhibitions. We make it understandable with clear, simple, often amusing descriptions. And we make it fun with games and competitions around the artworks. The art - and the stories behind it - are therefore accessible to all students, not just those taking art class.
Sensations also enhances the learning of students taking art and design. It inspires their work and gives them ideas for projects; it lets them aspire to see their work displayed on the big screen to the whole school.
How does Art In Schools support the national curriculum?
We provide our schools with Sensations educational resources in digital form. Teachers of art and other subjects then weave the art into lessons as they see fit, displaying the videos and artworks on whiteboards. In addition, teachers use the art in assemblies and tutor groups to illustrate ethical lessons and themes around the school calendar. But ultimately Sensations is about cultural enrichment.
Will Art In Schools reduce traditional art provision?
Sensations is not replacing teachers – or the museum visit; it is supercharging these experiences and making art a part of the daily life of the school. It also encourages more students to continue art studies and pursue careers in the creative industries.
Are there benefits to the wider school community?
The ArtScreens brighten the school premises for everyone: lunch ladies, administrators, teachers, governors, and visitors. Parents view the art programmes at Open Days, Parents Evenings and the school fair.
Who decides on the art content?
Art In Schools produces and broadcasts the art programmes. The weekly exhibitions are on themes of interest to young people; on themes from art history; and from the collections of national museums. Sensations artworks are beautiful, eye-catching and meaningful; immodest or overtly political work is not permitted. One-third of the art is classical, two-thirds is modern and contemporary.
Are the artworks and images licensed?
Art In Schools conforms with copyright law regarding the licensing of artwork and images for educational, not-for-profit purposes. Sensations duly credits the artist and the image source, where available.
What about student art?
Students love seeing their own work and that of their peers on the big screen. Sensations broadcasts student art in the same format we use for the great collections. We coordinate three Art Challenges per year, in which we invite all students to submit their ‘Creations’ based on famous paintings, and win prizes. We also display students’ original works, submitted by their art teachers.
Is Art In Schools unique?
Yes. Although there are many arts education programmes, most are local outreach programmes from museums, with school visits and teaching resources. Few have national reach. None offer the immediate visual impact of Sensations, every day, for all pupils. And none can aspire to reach Art In Schools’ huge potential audience.
