Arts Award Explore

Arts Award Explore enables children to develop a basic understanding of a range of art forms, artists and arts organisations, to commit to taking part in arts activities and to demonstrate a basic understanding of communication.


With Rust & Stardust's specially created Explore programme, participants complete the qualification over a series of sessions, to a total qualification time of 35 hours. Examples of sessions include after school clubs, youth groups and home education groups. 

The programme is designed for ages 7-11, particularly upper Key Stage 2, and participants will take part in the arts, explore the work of artists, create an art work and share their explorations.  

The Programme

Please note that the below is an example of a programme structure and the exact timings may vary from group to group. 

Week 1

Rust & Stardust meet children and introduce them to the project. Children receive a specially create Arts Log to help them on their journey.


Weeks 2-4

Children participate in weekly sessions to make puppets, creating their own art works.


Weeks 5-6

Children participate in rehearsals to prepare for performances and conduct a Q & A with artist.


Weeks 7-8

Children participate in performances. Children present their art works and share their experiences using their Arts Log.


Post-programme

Work is assessed by trained Arts Award advisors and validated by a moderator. Children receive a certificate.  

Our Past Projects

Find out more about our showcase Arts Award projects, run with young people in Sussex, Suffolk and Kent.

Arts Award Explore is an entry level qualification certified by Trinity College London.


To pass Arts Award Explore, children are required to create an individual arts logs that demonstrates how they meet the following requirements:

- Active participation in a range of arts activities, providing a personal response about what they have learnt from taking part (Part A)

- Experience of arts organisations, artists and their work (Part B)

- Creativity and arts skills through making art work (Part C)

- Identification of what they have enjoyed and/or achieved, and their communication of this to others (Part D)


Our advisors assess children in the following areas:

- Art form knowledge and understanding

- Creativity

- Communication

To discuss Arts Award Explore with Rust & Stardust, contact us now, or find out about our Arts Award Discover In A Day programme here.