The National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural has been supporting the Further Education applications for the uncoming Round 12 Artsmark. The focus is on opportunities offered across formal and informal learning, and the newly-redeveloped Mark will link closely with ACE’s recent ‘Achieving Great Art for Everyone’ strategy.

Alongside its 20 Further Education Founder Colleges, the Skills Academy has supported wider applicants through this year’s first round of Artsmark applications. In an advisory capacity, it will also be evaluating the Mark’s value to the creative and cultural sector. To this end, the Skills Academy ran free open training for all colleges across October, including practical ways to complete the form, best practice in improving provision and methods to promote the award once it has been secured.

Through these sessions the Skills Academy and its colleges will seek to establish a working role for the Artsmark in auditing how a college can strengthen the impact and quality of its arts provision. Founder Colleges are already looking at how to better equip their local communities to access arts provision, and the Artsmark may also help them create a platform for artists to interact with delivery and the presentation of work.

THE DEADLINE HAS NOW PASSED

All applications are in the process of being assesed and announcements will be made in May 2012. The next round of submissions are planned for January 2013 and there will be one entry point per year.

Resources

The Application form is now live and full details on the Artsmark can be found on Arts Council England's site. You can also have your questions answered in the Skills Academy Forum.

Achieving Great Arts for Everyone - The Arts Council England framework that the Artsmark sits against

Training Powerpoint -framework from Training and attached below