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Welcome to the Arts Award Portfolio Examples Hub, designed to help provide ideas and inspire you on your Arts Award journey. Here, you'll discover a variety of examples across the qualification levels to help you shape a creative portfolio. Whether your artistic passion lies in visual arts, dance, music, film or drama, our carefully curated selection is your gateway to excellence. 

Use the search functions to find portfolio examples from across the level parts, artforms and themes. 

*Please note, these are not whole portfolios but examples of evidence from across various parts in order to give you a flavour of what can be produced. We sought successful portfolios that passed overall but cannot guarantee particular parts were awarded a pass mark. 

  • Film and Media

Stop Motion animation: Samuel's Review of Skills (Bronze Part A)

Samuel learnt animation skills using a free Stop Motion app, putting together short scenes using Lego and props. He then creatively evidenced what he learnt and enjoyed by using these new skills and created this short animation film - a great way to demonstrate your achievements.

Image of Arran Hawkins - a white male with dark hair and both a moustache and beard. Provided to Voice Magazine, copyright the respective photographer.
  • Theatre and Performance

Practitioner Research: Arran Hawkins (Gold Unit 1 Part C)

A written interview with theatre maker Arran Hawkins from Theatre Anon as part of research in to a more advanced practitioner at Gold Arts Award level.

Finding out about Sarah England.
  • Film and Media

Arts Inspiration: Sarah England (Bronze Part C)

Chris wanted to look in to an actress that inspired them for their Bronze Part C, Arts Inspiration. They chose Sarah England as someone they’d seen on screen a lot and was based nearby. Then they created a short Google Slideshow with text and pictures to share the findings.

  • Theatre and Performance

Arts Inspiration: James Hamilton (Bronze Part C)

Lateisha likes comedy and is thinking about a career in comedy writing. So she finds out information about James Hamilton to produce a ‘poster’ in a Google Slide.

DT Club Review - Unit 2 Part E.
  • Visual Arts

Leadership Review: Jo's DT Club (Gold Unit 2 Part E)

Jo undertook to create new arts materials as part of a DT Club she set-up at school. In this PDF download you can see a key aspect of her review from the project - covering what she enjoyed, what was challenging and what she would do differently next time.

  • Theatre and Performance

Review: Selfie (Silver Unit 1 Part C)

Erica reviews the production “Selfie” on video, covering what it was, what she liked about the play and all the aspects that go in to making the show for the affect on the audience. She explores the story and themes of the play, and reflects on the lighting colours and music used to set the scene and ambience.

This is just one review from a collection that would also need reflection to understand what impact and influence the experiences have had on her own arts practice and future considerations.

  • Music

Leadership Plan and Review: Chris' event (Gold Unit 2 Parts B and E)

Chris created a charity concert for his Unit 2 leadership project. In this video of highlights Chris shares the event itself with a little bit of behind the scenes captured.

In the PDF available to download below, you get to see a summary of the planning considerations Chris made, visualised in a spider diagram. A great way to see the range of activities that go in to organising a concert.

These are small insights in to a wider portfolio that charted his journey from idea to execution and review.

  • Dance
  • Film and Media

Leadership project do: The Encounter by Andrew W, Ludus Dance (Silver Unit 2 Part C)

This is an example of a creative output produced for a Silver leadership project. This video was put together by managing the project as required. In his portfolio Andrew has included wider evidence of how he managed the project and reflected on the skills being used.

I had a lot of fun doing this and enjoyed it even more because it was eco friendly.
  • Visual Arts

Leadership project review: Evie (Silver Unit 2 Part E)

Evie shared her reflection on her Unit 2 Leadership project for her Silver Arts Award. She posted it as a blog on Voice and included:

  • A reflection on the skills she’s developed

  • A reflected on the project plan and progress

  • A reflection on her overall achievement through the project

  • A reflection on working with others

  • A reflection on how its influenced her future thinking

A picture of mini weighing scales.
  • Visual Arts

Plan an arts challenge: Ava's Strengths and Weaknesses (Silver Unit 1 Part A)

Ava reflects on her strengths & weaknesses to set-up consider what to do as her Silver arts challenge.

My reflection of working on a film set.
  • Film and Media

Explore the arts as a participant: Film Set Reflection (Bronze Part A)

Olivia reflects on her work experience day as a general assistant on a low budget film set. She’s produced a video showing her presentation - some pictures and text about the learning - and a short write-up to accompany it.

Easels with a sunset on them.
  • Visual Arts

Arts skills share: Painting sunsets (Bronze Part D)

Read about Alex's sunset painting workshop for Bronze Arts Award at a youth offenders institute. Read how they planned the workshop, delivered it, and what they learned.

Wearing a fascinator.
  • Visual Arts

Leadership project review: The Fascinator Workshops (Silver Unit 2 Part E)

Abdul shares a short summary of his project plan and review from a Silver leadership project covering for example:

  • Practical issues

  • Timescales

  • Promotion of the project

  • Recruitment to the project

  • Delivery of the project

  • Collecting feedback & evaluation

  • Overcoming challenges

  • Music

Leadership Report: Victoria's Reflection (Gold Unit 2 Part E)

Victoria is a young woman who has been singing with The Urban Vocal Group since 2011, shortly after suffering a brain haemorrhage. As part of her Gold Arts Award she chose to host a symposium to discuss and explore the barriers and perceptions regarding young people identified as having SEN/D accessing mainstream arts provision. This video is her reflection on that event.

Arts Award Explore Part B by Olivia Wyatt.
  • Music
  • Combined Arts

Explore: Noah Kahan & Z Arts (Explore Part B)

Olivia has created a presentation to show her exploration of one artist and one arts organisation for a part B of an Arts Award Explore qualification. 

She has researched and explored the work of the American artist Noah Kahan and the arts organisation Z Arts in Manchester.

  • Literature

Arts Skill Share: Book Binding Video Tutorial (Bronze Part D)

Rose Edmonston shares her skill of book binding, covering the materials you need, the process and end result. Rose also provides feedback on the experience of creating the how to video and how to improve in the future.

Picture of Joe Craig.
  • Theatre and Performance
  • Music

Practitioner Research: Joe Craig (Gold Unit 1 Part C)

Tom interviews musician, screenwriter and author of the Jimmy Coates series Joe Craig and learns about creative processes to inform his consideration for an arts career. The audio recording will be available shortly.

  • Film and Media
  • Visual Arts

Arts Research: Nucleus Arts Interview (Silver Unit 1 Part D)

In this video, Silver Arts Award students from Nucleus Arts are interviewing a former BA Photography student about attending a creative University. They discuss the career development of the artist, and learn about what career development opportunities are available to them.

  • Visual Arts
  • Other

Arts Research: Audio interview with Melody Hames (Silver Unit 1 Part D)

In this video (a visualised audio recording), Silver Arts Award participant Laura talks to Melody Hames about creative horse clipping; an artistic spin on traditional horse clipping by shaving artwork into the body.

Pointe ballerina shoes.
  • Dance

Discover & Find Out: Portfolio Slides (Discover Parts A & B)

In this example Liv creates a Google Slideshow to share her Discover parts A & B research into different types of art, and what she found out about Russian prima ballerina Anna Pavlova.

  • Music
  • Film and Media

Explore: What goes on at Creators House CIC? (Explore Part B)

Creators House CIC is striving to reduce inequalities and barriers that are affecting young creatives, especially those from disadvantaged and underprivileged backgrounds. Here’s a video explaining who they are created with Tom - finding out all about what they offer.

Performer pointing upwards with an orchestra behind.
  • Music
  • Film and Media
  • Theatre and Performance

Arts Inspiration: Danny Elfman (Bronze Part C)

Ellis decided to take a look at the life and filmography of famous composer, singer, songwriter and actor Danny Elfman. They covered a partial filmography, his early career, and some of his biggest successes, showing good research into his artform.

The write up was originally published as a blog to Voice Magazine.

Image used: "Danny Elfman, John Mauceri - Cinema Grand Rex - 10 octobre 2015" by Mag Boiss is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Haendel Rodelinda Opera in three acts promotional graphic.
  • Theatre and Performance

Review: RODELINDA BY THE CAMBRIDGE HANDEL OPERA COMPANY (Unit 1 Part C)

In this review Anita shares details about the opera she went to see; providing information on who performed in it, what happened in each act and her own detailed response through answering a number of probing questions including:

  • Was there anything unexpected about what I saw?

  • What did I think was good and why?

  • What thoughts and ideas will I take away with me?

  • How did this experience influence my own arts practice?

Niall Horan singing on stage with a drummer, another singer and a guitar.
  • Music

Review: Niall Horan Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Gold Unit 1 Part C)

Alice reviews a performance from Niall Horan, commenting on the whole production, lighting and emotion of the show - inlcuding how they highlight the production crew. The review is supported by a gallery of pictures taken from the night, uploaded to Voice Magazine as a Photo Blog.

Picture from The Islamic World at The British Museum showing traditional dress items.
  • Culture and Heritage

Review: The Islamic World from The British Museum (Silver Unit 1 Part C)

Isra Kidwai reviews their experience at The Islamic World from the British Museum with the visual aid of an image gallery. Isra details the exhibit itself, what they learned and their experience at the exhibit with their family.

A picture of two hamilton characters conversing on stage. Obtained from https://press.disneyplus.com/disney-plus/hamilton/images?.
  • Theatre and Performance

Review: My Hamilton Review (Bronze Part B)

In this presentation Pippa reviews their experience of Hamilton and shares their research into the production as text on Voice Magazine and as a presentation in PDF format.

Spiderman sat on a ledge looking at the reflection in water of a city scape - Image copyright: Columbia Pictures Industries.
  • Film and Media

Review: Spider Man: Into the Spider Verse (Silver Unit 1 Part C)

Liv created a Google Jam Board to present her review of Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse for a Silver Arts Award. It uses a slide for each of:

  • The Plot

  • Production background and information

  • Characters

  • Personal response

Image copyright: 2022 Columbia Pictures Industries

  • Visual Arts

Review: Video review of Manchester Street Art (Bronze Part B)

In this video Olivia reviews the street art in Northern Quarter, Manchester, where she went, what she found, what she thought and if she would recommend it to others.

A screenshot from the game copyright Rocksteady Studios.
  • Film and Media

Review: Arkham Knight (Silver Unit 1 Part C)

Tom reviews the game Arkham Knight for their Silver Arts Award on Voice Magazine. Tom details their personal experience through the game, what they liked, the visuals, the missions and any challenges they had with the game. The review includes a couple of screenshots from the game and a text response including a critique.

Image Copyright: Rocksteady Studios