Arts Award programme

Sandy Hill Arts is delighted to be offering the Arts Award accredited qualification for the first time in 2026- a wonderful opportunity for young people to explore and develop their love and knowledge of the arts.

The Arts Award is a Level 1 qualification ( offering the young person an accredited and recognised qualification for their CV) .

It consists of :

40 guided learning hours ( which will take place during Saturday morning sessions at Sandy Hill Arts and be led by a qualified Arts Award Advisor)

20 independent learning hours ( which the participant will undertake themselves as part of the award)

Participants should be 11-25 years old

They have to take part in the arts to participate in the award scheme but this can be through a wide variety of possible creative arts on offer.

There is no exam or assessment- the participants put together a portfolio of their work which is then assessed by the course leader

The award is far more than just developing art skills, it involves learning about the arts, attending exhibitions and performances, passing skills on to others, being part of an artist community.

The elements of the award are :

• reviewing an arts experience ( participants  can attend SHA events for free  and will receive a discount on all Sandy Hill Arts workshops of 10%)- famous or contemporary ( 20 artists on site)
• passing on arts skills to others (by leading a workshop on the skills they have learnt or making a short film)
• developing artistic skills in areas of their choice :set design/ painting/ drawing/ screen printing/ printing/ graphics/ illustration/ 3D design/ sculpture/photography/ceramics/curating/film-making

The aim is for young people to :

•  explore the arts as an audience membe
•  explore the arts as a participant
• be inspired by contemporary artists and performers

The course will run in the autumn in 2026 , starting in September on a Saturday morning 10-1pm at Sandy Hill Arts. Participants will have the opportunity to meet our 20 studio artists, find out about their practice, experience at first hand printing, painting, ceramics, blacksmithing, photography on our beautiful and inspiring semi industrial rural site nestled next to Corfe Castle and the steam railway station.  It is suitable for young people who love the arts or those who just want to find out more and do something with others that will inspire them.

To register interest in the course, please email info@sandyhillarts.co.uk

The cost of the course is £100 and in order for the course to run we will need a certain number of participants.

Arts Award Design designed by Ava White, youth volunteer at Sandy Hill Arts