The Arts in Schools - Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

iii as a special authorised charge to the Leicestershire Publications Account.Each year, the Education Finance and General Purposes Committee hasauthorised expenditure from Leicestershire Publications Account, theamount depending on the net amount available from royalties etc. It hasbeen usual for the former Authority to cover purchases for the CountyCollection and, in most years, sums of between £500 and £1,000 havebeen so authorised.iv as part of the capitation allowances for schools. The works of art whichare charged to capitation allowances are mainly those from stock asindicated above, and small items might be purchased direct.Once a year the Authority holds a Sale of Works of Art, paintings, ceramics,textiles from young and from established artists. All schools are invited tothis sale to buy from their allowances and private funds for their schoolhalls, libraries, corridors and classrooms. More recently the Authority hasacquired from the Tate Gallery's Institute of Contemporary Prints theremainder of a collection of limited editions of lithographs. These will besent out to a small number of schools with fifth and sixth forms for circulationto students who will be able to have them at their home for a termor so — the only condition being that the school buys a picture or lithographfrom the Annual Sale, passing one of the original lithographs to anotherschool.In Devon the Authority is also pressing to increase the availability ofworks of art to schools. One scheme involves a negotiated purchasing linkbetween the artists-in-schools scheme and the County's own collection oforiginal works of art. It has been agreed that 30% of funds available topurchase works of art should be used to purchase works by artists whohave worked in schools in Devon. This will enable schools to have, on loan,first-hand examples of the work of artists they have been involved with.There is also a link between the County collection and the collection maintainedby South West Arts. The County makes works available, throughSouth West Arts, to local community arts festivals. The Arts Associationsreciprocate by allocating sections of their own collection for use by theCounty.5 Artists and Children: Speaking from ExperienceFor artists the experience of working with children can have direct rewardsby enriching their own work. Edward Storey has had long experience ofwork in schools:156'As a writer, I am frequently invited through the Eastern Arts Association,to work in schools: not necessarily with children who want to write butwith classes of mixed ability. The age group I prefer is 9—12 year olds,though I have worked with younger and older children. The scheme hasprovided me with some of the most rewarding experiences I have had andI am totally committed to the value of this work in education. The