Arts Award
Thread & Butter Collective CIC is a registered centre for Arts Award, a nationally recognised set of qualifications that support young people in developing creativity, confidence, and leadership through the arts.
Arts Award is open to young people up to the age of 25 and offers a flexible framework that encourages exploration, artistic development, and creative thinking. The awards recognise both participation in the arts and the development of practical skills, reflection, and leadership.
Arts Award qualifications are accredited by Trinity College London and supported by Arts Council England.
About Us
Thread & Butter Collective CIC is a proud Registered Arts Award Centre based at our creative hub in Woodend Mill, Mossley.
As a registered centre, we are officially validated by Trinity College London to deliver, support, and assess Arts Award qualifications.
Our unique setting within the historic Woodend Mill allows us to offer a flexible and inspiring environment for creative learning. We are qualified to deliver all levels of Arts Award, from Discover through to Gold, across a wide range of art forms.
Whether you are passionate about textiles, digital media, fine art, or performing arts, our team provides the professional mentorship and creative space needed to turn your interests into a nationally recognised qualification.
Based within the historic textile landscape of the Tame Valley, our programmes also offer opportunities to connect creative practice with the rich heritage and culture of the area.
Presenting Your Work
Arts Award is not about exams or formal tests. Instead, participants build a creative portfolio that records their artistic journey.
There is flexibility in how work can be presented. Young people may choose formats that suit their creative style, including sketchbooks and visual journals, scrapbooks or written portfolios, blogs or digital portfolios, video diaries or vlogs, and photography and audio recordings.
Portfolios are assessed by the Arts Award centre and then moderated by Trinity College London.
This flexible approach allows each participant to document their work in a way that feels natural while developing confidence in reflecting on their creative ideas and experiences.
Arts Award Levels
Discover
Best suited to ages 5 to 9, open to age 25.
Typical learning commitment: around 20 hours of guided participation and development.
Discover Arts Award is an introduction to the arts that encourages young people to explore different art forms and take part in creative activities. Participants learn about artists and share what they have discovered.
Outcome:
A certificate celebrating a young person’s first steps on their creative journey.
Explore
Entry Level 3 qualification.
Best suited to ages 7 to 11, open to age 25.
Typical learning commitment: around 25 hours of guided and 10 of independent study.
Explore Arts Award encourages young people to develop their creativity more independently. Participants take part in arts activities, explore the work of artists and arts organisations, and create their own artwork while recording their ideas and experiences.
Outcome:
A regulated Entry Level 3 qualification that builds confidence and creative skills.
Bronze
Level 1 qualification.
Best suited to ages 11 to 14, open to age 25.
Typical learning commitment: around 40 hours of guided and 20 of independent study.
Bronze Arts Award is the first level of Arts Award on the Regulated Qualifications Framework and is roughly equivalent to GCSE grades 3 to 1.
Participants develop their skills in an art form, review an arts event, research an artist who inspires them, and share an arts skill with others.
Outcome:
Participants develop communication, creativity, and leadership skills while working towards a Level 1 qualification.
Silver
Level 2 qualification.
Best suited to ages 14 to 16, open to age 25.
Typical learning commitment: around 60 hours of guided and 35 of independent study.
Silver Arts Award supports young people in developing their artistic practice and taking on greater independence.
Participants complete their own arts challenge, research artists and arts organisations, and take on a leadership role such as organising or delivering an arts activity.
Outcome:
A Level 2 qualification demonstrating initiative, creative thinking, and project management.
Gold
Level 3 qualification.
Best suited to ages 16 plus, open to age 25.
Typical learning commitment: around 90 hours of guided and 60 of independent study.
Gold Arts Award is the highest level of Arts Award and is equivalent to A Level study.
Participants lead a substantial arts project, explore key issues in the arts sector, and gain experience of the professional arts world through placements, volunteering, or collaboration with arts organisations.
Outcome:
A Level 3 qualification worth 16 UCAS points that supports progression into higher education and creative careers.
Find Out More
If you would like to learn more about Arts Award opportunities at Thread & Butter Collective CIC, please get in touch.
We welcome enquiries from young people, parents, schools, and community groups interested in creative learning through the Arts Award framework.
We will be welcoming our first students in Spring 2026, and will offer a range of opportunities to study Arts Award with us.
Summer School projects starting in 2027, will deliver a fashion and textile masterclass that will allow students to complete either their Bronze, Silver or Gold level in this field, over the course of several in-person sessions delivered over 5 weeks. We expect this to be very popular and suggest early registration when dates are announced.