In this week’s instalment of Meet the Team, we are excited to feature Caroline (Toot), Learning and Performance Manager at Artis.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in the arts?

When I first came across Artis I was working as a professional performer with a specialism in movement & dance. I was working across mainstream and fringe contemporary dance companies, contemporary circus, theatre and opera. I developed a passion for inclusive practice and this became the forefront of my own creative works and with students in universities and vocational training institutes across the country.

What initially drew you to Artis, and how did you become a part of this organisation?

Initially I was looking for work I could do alongside and in between my dancing contracts. When I saw the advert for Artis Creative Specialist, it was the holistic nature of the work that excited me the most and pushed me to apply. I’m also a musician, I play the violin and the idea of incorporating this into work with movement, children and in education, was very exciting indeed. It was clear that, although Artis promoted a performing arts focus, it took the value of the performing arts as a tool to develop curriculum learning and life skills for young people very seriously. Perfect!

Once I’d experienced the incredible Artis training, the magic of the work in schools and seeing the development in children, it wasn’t long before I was itching to become an Artis Mentor, then Mentor Leader and finally I was over the moon to take on Performance & Learning Manager over 8 years ago now. It’s been extraordinarily rewarding but also very tough at times. The thoughtful mentoring and training Artis provided was paramount to me having stuck it out and be where I am today.

What does a normal workday look like for you?

This is a good question and I’m sure my job share partner Wizzle would say so too! Wizzle & I lead on different areas of the Performance & Learning Manager role but very much work and build things together. It’s extremely varied and exciting. One day we will be in front of a laptop, planning training and talking to interesting organisations. Another we will be out running an Artis CPD training event for our specialists or recruitment for artists or meeting the management team face to face. We speak to schools & specialists. We work to support high quality delivery in school, to ensure both schools, specialists & children have all they need to gain the most of their Artis experience.  I lead on face to face training for our artists, budgets for training and mentoring and work with the trustees to ensure we continue to develop our equality, diversity and inclusion within the organisation.

What do you love most about your job at Artis?

I enjoy the combined passion and unfailing belief the Artis team have in the transformative and life changing power of the performing arts and the ways in which they make this happen. I enjoy the crystal clear magic moments the artists create alongside their students, those that will certainly be remembered for life.

Looking towards the future, what are you looking forward to?

Seeing more magic moments! Haha! There’s so much to look forward to every year. From watching our new specialists take on training and bring their fresh performing arts expertise to their classrooms, hear how mentors have worked alongside their mentees and blossomed together and watch our experienced creative specialists curate classes that drum up excitement and enquiry in the children!