AA2A FAQs for host institutions

We've tried to go through possible questions host colleges and universities might have. Hope this helps, if you have any further questions please get in touch.

Q. "Who chooses the artists ?"
Staff at host institutions select the artists they think are most suitable and will provide greatest benefit to the students.

Q. "Can we have more than four artists on the scheme ?"
A. Yes. Normally four is the minimum for a scheme but up to six visual artist can be hosted for the same cost (normally extra artists cost £175 each). You can also add non-visual artists e.g. musicians, writers etc. for £350 each.

Q. "How can the AA2A artists be used in host institutions ?"
A. Host institutions can use their current artists for up to three 'formal' sessions with students (i.e anything that would require preparation time; such as talks, technical demonstrations etc). First, check what they offered to do in their application form. You can ask them to do something they haven't offered to do, but just make sure you don't put them under any pressure or feeling of obligation.

Q. "Is there any financial support for artists ?"
A. Yes. AA2A holds and administers a central 'Support' fund for artists to cover some of the costs associated with their scheme, primarily travel and childcare, but also for materials. Artists apply to AA2A's national team through an online form. In 2021-22 artists on benefits associated with low income can apply for up to £350, while others on low income (under £12,000 a year) can apply but are limited to £250 and may receive less than that. The £350 limit does not apply to artists with costs associated with a disability.

Q. "As an institution, can we also offer an artists budget or materials?"
A. Yes. If an institution wishes to offer either additional cash or materials to artists, they are free to do so, and this may increase the number of applications they receive.

Q. "Can we insist that artists put on an exhibition as part of their scheme?"
A. No. Although most artists will see an offer to exhibit as an incentive to apply you should not make it a condition of acceptance. However, we would encourage you to ask them to display work in progress for students either on our website or in your institution, as this helps student understanding of artists projects.

Q. "How can we track how many hours access artists have used ?"
A. You can still track how many hours access artists have had by asking them to complete an 'access monitoring form' (pro-forma document provided by us). If they had received an artists budget and then didn't attend for at least 50 hours we would ask for the expenses we paid them (or a suitable proportion) to be paid back.

Q. "Can we ask past AA2A artists (AA2A Engage) to come in to do talks for students ?"
A. Not unless you're paying them. This group of artists have agreed to host student 'visits' outside the host institution, to introduce them to the local art world eg. studio visits, private views etc. AA2A will usually pay them a fee for this and we'd expect institutions to reimburse any direct expenses they incur (e.g travel or room hire). Artists joining the AA2A Engage database are not obliged to agree to requests and this should be seen as being an 'outreach' option, in addition to anything you arrange with your current AA2A artists who you can use 'in house'.

Q. "Must we start our access period in October and finish in April?"
A. Normally you must allow access from October as this is what artists are led to expect from our advertising. However, you can finish anytime between April and the end of June. You can give a formal finish date in April or May and offer negogiated extensions to some or all of your artists.