Value of Artists
Free creative learning resources made by artists from the West of England
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Learning Resources developed by artists play a significant role in the offer galleries or museums make to their audiences either online or in print. As a free resource, they can be vital and empowering tools for the facilitators, teachers and carers that use them, helping audiences to find creative ways in to interpreting or exploring ideas, themes and concepts in unique and inspiring ways.
As part of this project led by Bath Spa University, five creatives were commissioned to develop educational resources that explore the role of artists in society – showcasing the diverse career paths they follow and the many ways they contribute to our communities.
Created to explore the role of artists in society, these new resources have been designed to:
- Support pupil well-being
- Develop creative thinking skills
- Expand knowledge and understanding of creative careers
- Be inclusive and accessible to pupils with additional needs.
Explore the resources
If your school or setting is based Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, you can request resources to be sent to you free of charge while stocks last.
If you are outside these areas you can download and print your free copy.
Used the resources?
Let us know what you think!
More about the project
This project, led by Bath Spa University’s School of Art, Film and Media, offered a paid training opportunity for 25 creatives to explore creative learning resources.
It then commissioned five artists from the training programme to create and produce a series of educational learning resources that explore the value of artists in society, the variety of roles they can play and the career pathways they can take.
"I think I'm still digesting everything, but the reach and impact of those two days – and the incredible programme you put together – will stay with me, and my practice, honestly I think forever. "
The training days were led by Lead Artist Abigail Hunt and included sessions by artists, educators and galleries including Chris Francis (ArtPedagogy), Morgan Tipping, Mónica Rivas Velásquez, Layla Gatens, Harold Offeh and Emma McGarry (Tate).
In summary, the Value of Artists project:
- Provided paid professional development/training for artist/creative practitioners from the West of England region
- Commissioned five arts practitioners/freelancers
- Developed a series of online and printed resources that explored the value of artists in society, the variety of roles they can play and the career pathways they can take
- Distributed a set of resources to schools and other relevant education providers in the West of England region that evidence the value of art education and the career pathways it opens up
- Offered a valuable practical and accessible resource that will expose the real work artists do in communities, education, climate action, health and wellbeing.
Launch events for the resources took place in Autumn 2025 at the Locksbrook Campus in Bath, the Front Room Theatre in Weston-super-Mare and online.
If you would like to watch the recording of the online event, please get in touch.
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Meet the team
Abigail Hunt
Lead Artist
Natasha Kidd
Academic Lead
Simone Hesselberg
Creative Producer
Hazel Plowman
Creative Producer
Abigail Hunt
Lead Artist
Natasha Kidd
Academic Lead
Simone Hesselberg
Creative Producer
Hazel Plowman
Creative Producer
Want to get in touch?
Contact our Creative Producers:
- Simone Hesselberg: s.hesselberg@bathspa.ac.uk
- Hazel Plowman: h.plowman@bathspa.ac.uk
The Value of Artists branding was designed by BA (Hons) Graphic Design graduates Alfie Maltby and Callum Hill. All resources are owned Bath Spa University 2025 ©.
The Value of Artists project was delivered through the Culture West programme. The initiative was made possible with funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and Arts Council England.
