Arts Award spotlights Art Classes Group as a national case study
We’re proud to share that Arts Award (Trinity College London) has featured Art Classes Group as a case-study example in their national blog post, “Building your Arts Award offer: tips for Arts and Cultural Organisations” (published 24 November 2025).
In the article, Arts Award highlights our public art exhibitions as an example of best practice for promoting and celebrating young people’s achievement—showing how organisations can raise the profile of their Arts Award programme while giving children and young people a meaningful platform to share their work.
What Arts Award Said About Art Classes Group (and Why It Matters)
In their guidance for arts organisations, Arts Award explains that showcasing work (through exhibitions, performances, or showcases) helps:
- Demonstrate impact,
- Celebrate participants’ progress,
- Raise awareness of your programme locally,
- And strengthen your reputation for delivering high-quality Arts Award experiences.
They specifically reference Art Classes Group as a Trinity Champion Centre, sharing our exhibition poster as an example of how we advertise Arts Award work and showcase young people’s artwork through exhibitions open to the public.
They also note that Art Classes Group received Trinity Champion Centre (TCC) funding for the event—part of how Champion Centres are supported to share practice and inspire others. Why this is important: it confirms that what we do in Slough isn’t just valuable locally it’s being shared nationally as an example of how arts organisations can build a strong Arts Award offer.
Our Arts Award Offer at Art Classes Group
Art Classes Group is a visual arts centre in Slough, established in 2016, supporting young artists and promoting engagement with the visual arts through inclusive activities including exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and remote learning.
We are also an Arts Award Centre, and Arts Award qualifications are regulated and managed by Trinity College London in association with Arts Council England.
What Young People Can Achieve With Us
From our studio in the Observatory Shopping Centre, Slough, we support children and young people to build skills, confidence and portfolios through structured classes—while also working towards Arts Award where appropriate.
Our current programme includes Arts Award-linked pathways such as:
- Starter (Ages 4+)
- Arts Award Discover
- Arts Award Explore
- Arts Award Bronze (Level 1)
…and beyond.
And every year, we organise an art exhibition where participants can exhibit and sell their work, and may achieve an Arts Award qualification after completing their course.
Why Exhibitions Are Central to Arts Award Success (and Why We Do Them)
Arts Award’s article makes a key point: celebration and visibility matter. When young people see their work displayed professionally—alongside clear recognition of their progress—it boosts confidence and motivation.
At Art Classes Group, our exhibitions bring together:
- Families and the local community,
- Young people’s finished artworks and sketchbook/portfolio journeys,
- Arts Award evidence and outcomes (where applicable),
- And opportunities to feel proud, seen and celebrated.
This approach aligns directly with Arts Award’s national advice to organisations: showcasing achievement strengthens impact and reputation.
How We’re Continuing to Develop Our Arts Award Offer
The Arts Award blog shares practical tips for organisations, such as:
- Using arts logs and portfolios to deepen engagement,
- Marking activities as Arts Award-friendly,
- Creating celebration moments and success stories,
- And building partnerships to extend reach.
We’re continuing to build on these ideas by:
- Strengthening portfolio/arts-log support in sessions,
- Encouraging young people to reflect on artists, exhibitions, and their own progress,
- Creating more public-facing moments (exhibitions/showcases),
- And widening access so more young people can take part.
We’re delighted that Arts Award has chosen to spotlight Art Classes Group nationally as a positive example of how arts organisations can grow their Arts Award programme through public celebration, visibility and meaningful young people’s outcomes.
Link to Arts Award blog: Click Here