Young people to have the chance of acquiring a new national award for achievement in the arts

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has announced a new scheme called The Young People’s Arts Award. It will be run by Arts Council England and is aimed at 13 – 25 year olds to recognise their participation in and engagement in the arts. It aims to appeal to the widest range of young people with different backgrounds and cultural interests.

Tessa Jowell said:

“This country is internationally recognised for its contribution to the arts. Its contribution to the vitality of our society, let alone the health of our economy, is incalculable. We have the most creative cultural scene in Europe and I want to keep it that way. So we must encourage the seed corn for future arts artists.The new scheme aims to do just that by encouraging young people to develop their creative potential. It will provide a high profile, credible award that will be both an achievement in itself and a recognised qualification.”

The aspiring artists will be able to choose any art form they enjoy and, along with an Arts Award adviser, they can set their own challenges and get feedback from other young people and the adviser.

The Arts Award advisers will be arts workers, youth workers or teachers who are trained and supported to run the award.

All the Young people who achieve the award will receive an Arts Council England certificate signed by the Chair of the Council.

Current Chair, Sir Christopher Frayling, said:

“The Arts Award will give high-profile recognition to young people's engagement with the arts; it will also encourage independence through real experiences of leadership and team work. The Award offers tremendous potential for sowing the seeds of commitment to the arts, and will - we hope - help to foster a new generation of artists.“

Full details can be found at the Arts Council site www.artscouncil.org.uk