By Stu Barter (Chime), Artis Mentor Leader and Specialist

In 2005 I was a 23 year-old music and theatre graduate with a plan to work in theatre education by day, and pursue rock stardom by night with my folk-pop band!

When I saw an advert for Artis recruitment that year it seemed ideal. I would be able to teach during weekdays and rehearse and perform during weekends / evenings. At 23, I had the energy for both.

The application form for Artis required me to think of my own onomatopoeic nickname, which I remember thinking was a bit strange, but I filled it out and happily I was called to a workshop audition.

I remember being genuinely impressed by the audition and interview process. Artis seemed to be underpinned by a strong philosophy and belief in the importance of the work. Artis were creative and fun, but serious about the benefits the work can have on children’s development. At the time I thought of myself as creative and fun but also serious so what could be better?!

By the time I’d got through the audition process I was desperate to work for Artis. I had no real experience in primary schools at the time, so I was a prospect, rather than a safe pair of hands, but fortunately I was given a chance.

I picked an onomatopoeic name – Chime! – and after an amazing experience at the Artis residential training I started teaching almost full time. I embraced my new nickname and couldn’t wait to start.

But for the first few months the work consumed me totally. The planning took hours and it was an emotional roller-coaster. When a session went well, I felt I’d nailed it – that I could finally do this – that I’d turned a corner. When it went badly, I felt I wasn’t cut out for it – that I’d never be able to do it.

I remember the adjustment from being at the initial training and learning a song with 30 professional performers, then doing the same song with a class of 5-year-olds and it…not sounding quite the same. Although nothing I did was polished at first either, the children seemed to love these performing arts sessions and the scope and variety of their engagement was both challenging and rewarding.

After a year – with the help of a mentor and ongoing training – I was steadier on my feet, and from there I grew in confidence. I became a mentor and started delivering training for teachers and fellow Artis Specialists, as well as visiting schools to talk to headteachers and drum up interest in Artis.

From 2005 to 2010, schools were in a stronger position to invest in enriching services like Artis, and there was a wealth of opportunities available for passionate newcomers with less experience, providing them with the space to fully immerse themselves and grow. Reflecting on those days, I feel fortunate for the chance to start my journey with Artis when I did.

Artis has had to adapt to survive the increasingly difficult environment for the arts and school funding. It’s smaller now but I was able to develop, become part of the family and new opportunities kept coming, working abroad, mentoring teachers, presenting at conferences and most recently developing a new online offer for schools.

A career in the arts is often a chaotic zig-zag rather than a clear path with a well-trodden route. Over 20 years I’ve done so much work which I’ve (mostly!) loved with different theatre companies, bands, music publishers and in other education contexts but Artis has been a near constant throughout it all.

Here’s to the next 20 years…