Arts Award

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 At Cathartic Arts CIC, we deliver the Arts Award through a flexible, person-centred approach that supports each individual to explore their creativity in a way that feels safe, meaningful, and achievable.

As a registered Arts Award Centre with Trinity College London, we offer nationally recognised qualifications for children and young people up to the age of 25. Our approach removes the pressure often associated with traditional education, creating space for genuine engagement, self-expression, and personal growth.

Arts Award is not about exams or rigid expectations. Instead, it allows each young person to:

• Explore an art form that interests them 
• Develop their own creative voice 
• Experience the work of other artists 
• Share their work in a way that feels comfortable 
• Reflect on their journey in accessible formats
  

Work can be recorded in many ways—including artwork, conversation, photography, or video—ensuring that the process is inclusive and adaptable for a wide range of needs and communication styles.

We deliver Arts Award across a range of levels, typically beginning with Explore (Entry Level) and progressing to Bronze (Level 1), with opportunities to continue further where appropriate.

While the framework provides structure, the journey is always led by the individual. There are no fixed timeframes, and each programme is shaped around personal interests, confidence levels, and support needs.

Our environment and delivery model are intentionally designed to support those who may not thrive in mainstream settings. We offer:

• Small group and 1:1 delivery 
• Calm, adapted studio spaces 
• Flexible communication and evidence methods 
• Support for a wide range of additional needs, including those with EHCPs or EOTAS packages
  

For some individuals, this may include highly tailored or exclusive-use sessions to ensure they can engage safely and comfortably.

Through Arts Award, young people develop more than creative skills. We see growth in:

• Confidence and self-expression 
• Emotional awareness and regulation 
• Communication and independence 
• Engagement in learning
  

Alongside this, participants achieve a recognised qualification that reflects their work in a way that feels authentic to them.

We believe that creativity can be a powerful route into learning, identity, and connection. Arts Award at Cathartic Arts CIC is not about fitting into a system—it is about creating the right environment for each individual to succeed on their own terms.