Design Checklists - Visual Art Spaces

Things to consider:

• Do you require your practical art spaces to have a covered outdoor space for large messy work?
• Is a dark room appropriate for your curriculum or would a digital media room be better used? If so, will the ICT rooms be air-conditioned? Can community access them?
• Do pay special attention to use of light - Do you require lots of light (preferably from North) such as one wall with full length windows looking out onto a green space. Or would you prefer plenty of wall space for displays so favour high level windows and skylights?
• Consider a 'messy' and 'dry' teaching space.
• Consider creative use of ICT, such as large whiteboards, digital art etc. (look towards the creative industries in the private sector for support and advice). Do you require Blackout facilities?
• Consider provision for an Artist in residence.

Tick these off when you've considered them.
click to tick / double click to Un-tick

Do make sure the Kiln room does not have sensors or smoke alarms inside it and do ensure the floor is suitably load bearing.

Do specify large aluminium sinks with lever taps and drainage facilities 9 ceramic sinks will chip easily)

Do specify wide-bore drains and filters for sinks where paint will be used.

Do specify height of sinks.

Do specify dimensions of storage to ensure it is suitable for different sizes of paper and card etc.

Do build in opportunity for display of work (2DM and 3DM) consider use of social spaces for this such as main reception area or dining space. Consider also possibilities for gallery space in wide corridors or atriums. Spotlighting in these areas will improve the quality of the display.

Do specify plenty of power points

Tick these off when you've considered them.
click to tick / double click to Un-tick

Don't forget resourcing the rooms and space for technicians.

Don't forget potential for community use and build in flexibility (access, security, refreshment area and social space)

Don't forget secure storage for coursework.

Don't forget alarm system - what can you hang from ceiling etc.

For further support visit:

www.art-works.org.uk/research/bigsink0.shtml
The Big Sink is the results of an investigation into the ideal spaces for visual arts in schools, galleries and museums commissioned by the Clore Duffield Foundation.

The Arts Council have produced a very useful publication around Artists working with schools
www.artscouncil.org.uk/publications

Northern Artists in Schools website has useful downloads on how to set up an Artists in residence www.shu.ac.uk/nais/downloads.htm