Silver Award

• Qualification level: Level 2 Award (RQF, equivalent to GCSE grades 4 to 9)
• Extend already developed creative skills, broaden knowledge of the arts world & careers and lead own creative projects while working effectively with others.
• Open to anyone aged 11 to 25 (designed for ages 14 to 16)

The Silver Award requires more independence from mentees than previous levels as they have to plan and lead their own arts projects and work with others in some way. Due to this it is generally recommended that mentees have completed a Bronze Award before considering a Silver Award (or at least an Explore Award). This is because the Silver is more of a commitment in terms of the time and amount of work to complete.

The Silver Award is made up of 2 distinct units:

Unit 1 Arts practice and pathways – This is about a mentee developing their own arts practice and understanding their place in the wider arts world. Unit 1 includes:

• planning an arts challenge that develops their skills
• implementing and reviewing the success of their challenge
• reviewing arts events and sharing their views
• researching careers and future opportunities in the arts

Unit 2: Leadership of an arts project This is about planning, organizing, delivering, and reviewing a substantial arts leadership project. Unit 2 includes:

• identifying an arts leadership role and planning an arts project
• being an effective arts leader, including dealing with practical issues and working effectively with others
• reviewing their project and leadership abilities

The Silver Award requires more independence from mentees and they get to decide the artforms and topics that they will explore in their portfolio. Here are some examples of mentee’s work for the Silver Award: