Arts - development

Introduction to Arts Award

Arts Award is a scheme that values, celebrates and rewards the views, artistic practice and leadership of young people who get involved in the arts.

Arts Award is aimed at 11 to 25 year olds. It is:

• a great way for young people to explore creative skills                                              
• a nationally recognised qualification                                                                 
• a framework for learning new skills and developing them                                          
• a link between young people and creative professionals in arts and media                
• a rapidly growing award that can be achieved throughout England.

Arts Award is managed by Trinity College London in association with Arts Council England. It can be taken at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, which are accredited at levels 1, 2 and 3 on the Qualifications Credit Framework.

Arts Award Bronze

Is all about seeing, trying and doing new things in whatever part of the arts world inspires you. You’ll attend arts events, research your heroes, and share your passions with others.  

Arts Award Silver

To achieve a Silver Arts Award you complete two units:

• Arts Practice – a challenge you set yourself within your chosen art form, plus an exploration of arts events and arts opportunities within your community.
• Arts Leadership – planning and delivering an arts project, taking responsibility for a specific aspect and communicating effectively.

Arts Award Gold (equivalent to 35 UCAS points)

Working at this level will extend your creativity, communication, planning, teamwork and leadership skills, and you'll achieve a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification.  To achieve a Gold Arts Award you complete 2 units:

• Personal arts development– including four valuable areas of arts engagement.
• Arts project leadership – researching, planning, running and reviewing your project.

The Gold Arts Award is also recognised on the UCAS Tariff (35 points) and can support university applications.

Information for 11 to 25 year olds

Young people who undertake Arts Award can only do so with the support of a qualified Arts Award advisor. You can approach your school, college or one of the following Arts Award centres:

• Déda
• Derby LIVE
• QUAD.

Information for artists, arts organisations, schools and colleges

To become an Arts Award advisor, you need to complete a one-day training course, which will qualify you to run Arts Award Bronze and Silver (Gold training is an additional half day course). In East Midlands, there is at least one training course a month, which can be booked on the Arts Award website.

Future developments

In 2012, Arts Award will be extending its offer through two new awards, Arts Award Discover and Arts Award Explore. This will mean young people as young as seven will be able to participate in arts activity and achieve an Arts Award.

Further information

For more information about Arts Award, or to book training course, visit the Arts Award website.

Useful forms

• Contact arts and events