ABSTRACT
Museums and galleries may be a valuable source of stimuli for art work, containing a range of fascinating and unusual artefacts and exhibits, natural and made, as well as being a facility and resource for recreation and leisure, and giving access to an artistic heritage. A 'residency' is where a professional artist works within a school community for a fixed period of time. Regional arts associations and local education authorities should be able to advise on artists able to work in schools; occasionally they may subsidise a particular project. The smooth running of a residency will depend not only on thorough planning and preparation but also on good communication between the artist, staff and pupils, and on-going evaluation of the work in progress. Visiting artists at their usual place of work in the community will give a valuable insight into the everyday life of the professional artist.
