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DIY Arts Award with Pastel & Smudge CIC

Flexible, creative qualifications for young artists aged under 7 to 25

Sketching Artist

Welcome to DIY Arts Award

At Pastel and Smudge CIC, we believe everyone should have the chance to explore their creativity, develop new skills, and gain recognition for their achievements. Our DIY Arts Award gives you the freedom to complete your award at your own pace, in your own way — with friendly guidance and support from a qualified Arts Award adviser. Whether you love painting, photography, music, drama, dance, crafts, writing, or digital arts, you can use your passion to achieve a nationally recognised qualification.

What is Arts Award?

Arts Award is a set of unique qualifications that help children and young people grow as artists and creative leaders.

Through the programme, they develop key skills for life today:

  • 🎨 Creativity – exploring and making art in their own way

  • ⭐ Leadership – planning and sharing ideas with others

  • 🔎 Reflection – thinking about their progress and learning

  • 💬 Communication – expressing themselves with confidence

Arts Award is open to anyone aged 25 and under, whatever their background or interests. It encourages independence, builds confidence, and prepares young people for further study, creative careers, or a lifelong love of the arts.

👉 Find out more on the Arts Award website

Why Choose Our DIY Arts Award?

Our DIY Arts Award is designed to be flexible, supportive, and welcoming for every young person.

  • ⏳ Flexible pacing – fit your award around your own schedule

  • 🎨 Inclusive – open to all art forms and all abilities

  • 🤝 Personal support – 1:1 planning meeting plus optional check-ins

  • 💻 Easy to access – complete everything online from anywhere

  • 🌟 Encouraging environment – we celebrate your unique style and ideas

We are proudly inclusive
Pastel & Smudge CIC is neurodivergent-led, and we believe creativity belongs to everyone. We welcome participants of all abilities and backgrounds, including disabled, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent young people. Whatever support you need, we’ll work with you to make sure your Arts Award is accessible, supportive, and a positive experience.

Anime Drawing

How It Works

Step 1: Choose Your Level
🎯 Pick the award that’s right for you – from Discover to Gold.

Step 2: Book Your Place & Get Your DIY Pack
📅 Once you book, we’ll arrange your 30-minute planning meeting and give you access to your private Google Drive pack with everything you need to get started.

Step 3: Create Your Portfolio
🖌️ Work through the creative tasks at your own pace and record your progress. You’ll have ongoing support from your Arts Award Adviser via email and Google Drive feedback throughout.

Step 4: Submit for Assessment
✅ When your portfolio is complete, we’ll assess your work and arrange moderation.

Step 5: Celebrate Your Success
🏆 Receive your official printed Arts Award certificate in the post!

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💡 Optional: Add 30-minute check-in sessions whenever you’d like extra support (£15 each).

Award levels & Pricing

Discover Pack

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recommended for under 7s

£45

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Introductory level.

A fun introduction to the arts.

  • Take part in creative activities (anything from painting to drama to music).

  • Learn about an artist and what they do.

  • Create a mini project (e.g., drawing, collage) to share with someone else.

Everything is recorded in a simple Arts Map or booklet with photos and notes.

Explore Pack

Explore (1).png

recommended for under 7-11

£55

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Entry Level 3 qualification (Key Stage 2 & up).

Great for younger learners ready to try different art forms.

  • Take part in at least two arts activities (e.g., dance, sculpture, photography).

  • Learn about an artist and an arts organisation.

  • Create a final piece of work and record how you made it.

  • Share your work with others and record their feedback.

Your journey is captured in a colourful portfolio with pictures and reflections.

Bronze Pack

Bronze (1).png

recommended for under 11-14

£85

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A first step into gaining a recognised qualification in the arts.

  • Take part in an arts activity and develop your skills.

  • Be an audience member — watch a performance, visit an exhibition, or attend an event — then review it.

  • Research an artist who inspires you.

  • Teach a creative skill to someone else.

You’ll collect photos, notes, and creative work to show what you did and learned.

Silver Pack

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recommended for under 14-16

£90

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Equivalent to a GCSE at grades 9–4.

For young people developing their arts skills and leadership.

  • Arts Challenge: Learn a new skill or take an existing one further. Plan, set goals, and review your progress.

  • Arts Leadership Project: Plan, deliver, and review an arts event, workshop, or project for others.

Along the way you will:

  • Review two arts events.

  • Explore arts careers and meet professionals.

  • Collect evidence in a portfolio of photos, notes, plans, and reflections.

Gold Pack

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recommended for under 14-16

£105

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The highest level of Arts Award, for young people working at a professional standard.

  • Develop your own arts practice with support from another practitioner.

  • Take part in advanced training or development opportunities.

  • Research leading artists and review events you attend.

  • Present your opinion on an arts-related issue.

  • Plan and lead a public arts project from start to finish.

Your portfolio will evidence advanced creativity, research, and leadership skills.

What’s in Your DIY Pack

Stationery

When you book a DIY Arts Award with us, you’ll receive:

  • A 30-minute planning meeting with your Arts Award Adviser

  • Google Drive access to your personalised study pack and resources

  • Marking, feedback, and assessment from your Adviser

  • Moderation costs fully covered

  • Your official Arts Award certificate, delivered by post

💡 Optional: Add extra 30-minute check-in sessions whenever you’d like extra support (£15 each).

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