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Finding out about the arts sector

This section of your portfolio is all about discovering what the arts sector is, what kinds of roles are available to you and how creativity and careers collide! You will spend time researching artists, engaging with arts & cultural organisations and discovering new career paths.

Remember, the arts sector is a vibrant community, and your journey is just beginning. So, make the most of opportunities unlocked through your Arts Award, keep exploring, stay curious, and follow your passions!

The portfolio evidence shared on this page give you a sense of the standard and depth of information and reflections needed at each level of Arts Award and you can see how the amount of detail needed increases as you move up the levels. The evidence on this page won’t always show all the requirements listed in the toolkit for the part(s) so it’s really important you work with a trained adviser to support you to fully meet the Arts Award criteria.

Discover | Explore | Bronze | Silver | Gold

DISCOVER

Pointe ballerina shoes.

Discover & Find Out: Portfolio Slides (Discover Parts A & B)

In this example Liv creates a Google Slideshow to share her Discover parts A & B research into different types of art, and what she found out about Russian prima ballerina Anna Pavlova.

View slides as PDF

EXPLORE

Arts Award Explore Part B by Olivia Wyatt.

Explore: Noah Kahan & Z Arts (Explore Part B)

Olivia has created a presentation to show her exploration of one artist and one arts organisation for a part B of an Arts Award Explore qualification. 

She has researched and explored the work of the American artist Noah Kahan and the arts organisation Z Arts in Manchester.

View the write-up and presentation

BRONZE

Performer pointing upwards with an orchestra behind.

Arts Inspiration: Danny Elfman (Bronze Part C)

Ellis decided to take a look at the life and filmography of famous composer, singer, songwriter and actor Danny Elfman. They covered a partial filmography, his early career, and some of his biggest successes, showing good research into his artform.

The write up was originally published as a blog to Voice Magazine.

Image used: "Danny Elfman, John Mauceri - Cinema Grand Rex - 10 octobre 2015" by Mag Boiss is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Read blog
Finding out about Sarah England.

Arts Inspiration: Sarah England (Bronze Part C)

Chris wanted to look in to an actress that inspired them for their Bronze Part C, Arts Inspiration. They chose Sarah England as someone they’d seen on screen a lot and was based nearby. Then they created a short Google Slideshow with text and pictures to share the findings.

View Google Slideshow

Arts Inspiration: James Hamilton (Bronze Part C)

Lateisha likes comedy and is thinking about a career in comedy writing. So she finds out information about James Hamilton to produce a ‘poster’ in a Google Slide.

View the digital poster

SILVER

Arts Research: Nucleus Arts Interview (Silver Unit 1 Part D)

In this video, Silver Arts Award students from Nucleus Arts are interviewing a former BA Photography student about attending a creative University. They discuss the career development of the artist, and learn about what career development opportunities are available to them.

Arts Research: Audio interview with Melody Hames (Silver Unit 1 Part D)

In this video (a visualised audio recording), Silver Arts Award participant Laura talks to Melody Hames about creative horse clipping; an artistic spin on traditional horse clipping by shaving artwork into the body.

GOLD

Picture of Joe Craig.

Practitioner Research: Joe Craig (Gold Unit 1 Part C)

Tom interviews musician, screenwriter and author of the Jimmy Coates series Joe Craig and learns about creative processes to inform his consideration for an arts career. The audio recording will be available shortly.

Listen to interview (Soon)
Image of Arran Hawkins - a white male with dark hair and both a moustache and beard. Provided to Voice Magazine, copyright the respective photographer.

Practitioner Research: Arran Hawkins (Gold Unit 1 Part C)

A written interview with theatre maker Arran Hawkins from Theatre Anon as part of research in to a more advanced practitioner at Gold Arts Award level.

Read interview