Gold Arts Award

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED - please apply via the Towers School website

Applications Open: - 11th December 2025

Applications Close: - 13th February 2026

Entry Requirements: - Admission to Towers Sixth Form to study A levels or BTEC equivalent will be awarded on the basis of GCSE performance. Each subject has its own entry requirements.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Gold Arts Award is designed to develop an in-depth exploration of art forms and practice: Art forms include any creative activity involving self-expression; drama, dance, art and circus, for example, arts practice could include stage management, arts marketing, arts administration or any activity within the creative arts industry.

The Gold Arts Award encourages in-depth reflection on practice, progress and the impact of practical experience on future pathways. The course provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance your C.V; Employers are more likely to employ students who study beyond their academic studies, and it is an excellent starting point for discussion in an interview. Studying for this qualification will enable students to gain 16 UCAS points to boost your university application. This course can complement both creative and academic courses. You will also gain transferable skills that could help you in your chosen field of study.

Personal Arts Development

Part A: Extend your own arts practice

Students will extend their own arts practice. Students identify a main art form or arts practice and extend it through working with a new/different art form, genre or practice. They gather evidence of how they have developed their skills, produce a new piece of artwork, share this with others, collect feedback, evaluate their development and what impact the new art form or practice has had on their own arts practice.

Part B: Development opportunities within the wider arts sector

Students will participate in development opportunities through practical involvement in work placements, volunteering, training or workshops. These can be in any area of the arts and within their own, or the wider, arts and cultural community.

Part C: Research advanced practitioners and review arts events

Students research more advanced arts practitioners within an art form, genre or arts practice; exploring their career paths, their work and, where applicable, the organisations that support them.

Part D: Form and communicate a view on an arts issue

Students are encouraged to address current issues within the arts. They will research an arts issue of interest or relevance to them and communicate these views to others

Leadership of an Arts Project

Part A: Identify the projects aims and desired outcomes

Students recognise the qualities of an effective arts leader and consider examples. Students identify a suitable project, the aims and leadership skills they plan to develop.

Part B: Organise the people and resources required to run the project

Students take responsibility, organise roles, equipment and resources. They will set timescales, rehearsal schedules, venues and seek funding, if appropriate. Students will learn about risk assessment and legislation affecting participation, performance, exhibitions and production.

Part C: Manage the effectiveness of the project

Students deliver the project and address ways of inspiring and motivating others to lead creatively, respond to and solve problems and to collaborate effectively.

Part D: Manage a public showing of the work

Students will learn how to manage an arts event through arranging a public showing or sharing of their leadership project. They will market their event and collect feedback from participants, audience members and others involved in the public showing/sharing.

Part E: Arts leadership project report

Students provide a final project report, demonstrating a reflection on the process, success and delivery of the project.

The Gold Arts Award is marked as a Pass or Fail and is assessed through externally moderated internal assessments. Students are marked on:

➔ Their art form knowledge and understanding

➔ Demonstrating creative responses

➔ Ability to plan and review

➔ Communication skills.

Prior experience in the arts.

Interview if no formal qualification.

University progression: The Gold Arts Award is a valuable addition to a UCAS application for any course. You can refer to the qualification on your personal statement and then discuss it at the interview. The extra points set you apart from the competition and the skills that you gain can be utilised in a variety of ways.

Career progression: The Gold Arts Award can set your C.V. apart from others that employers will see. Skills that you gain from the qualification are transferable to the workplace. During an interview you will be able to refer to knowledge you have gained that will help make you more employable.