Arts Award
A creative and flexible accredited arts qualification for young people.
Arts Award is a range of unique qualifications that supports anyone up to the age of 25 to grow as artists and arts leaders, inspiring them to connect with and take part in the wider arts world through taking challenges in any art form - from fashion to filmmaking, pottery to poetry.
Through Arts Award young people gain a nationally recognised qualification enabling them to progress into further education and employment.
Information for young people
You can do an Arts Award in any area of the arts from fashion to poetry, rapping to dancing, sculpture to film. You can be the creator or performer of your own work, or develop your skills in essential roles like marketing or stage management.
Arts Award has five levels, four of which (Explore, Bronze, Silver, Gold) are on the Qualifications and Credit Framework meaning that you will receive an accredited qualification.
At all levels, you will work with an Arts Award adviser - a trained adult who supports you in gaining arts experiences, provides guidance and assesses arts logs and portfolios.
There are no entry requirements, no time limit for completing the award, and no set rules on how to present final work. Young people just need to be aged 25 or under, and ready to explore new creative experiences.
For further information on your nearest Arts Award centre please email culture@islington.gov.uk.
Information for schools and community settings
Arts Award provides young people with an alternative route to work towards a national qualification. If you are interested in kick-starting a new arts project or engaging more young people in the arts this scheme can support you to develop young people’s creativity and leadership skills.
Young people work towards their awards using Arts Awards centres as a base. Any setting that supports children and young people taking part in the arts can register with Trinity College London to become a centre, including schools, pupil referral units, youth clubs or community centres.
Each centre must have at least one trained Arts Award adviser - teachers, teaching assistants, museum learning staff, art practitioners, youth workers and volunteers can all train as advisers. Advisers act as mentors, facilitators and primary assessors guiding young people through their Award.