Arts Award
Achieve your Arts Award with a visit to Bristol Dockyards.
Discover how a visit at Bristol Dockyards can help you achieve your Arts Award through your local Arts Award Centre.
Whether you are completing Discover or Explore, our historic ship, dockyard and collections offer rich opportunities for artistic investigation, research and creativity.
ARTS AWARD DISCOVER
The Arts Award Discover is the first step of the Arts Award journey.
Children and young people explore a range of art forms, learn about different artists or makers, and share what they discover. The Discover Award supports this journey by encouraging them to investigate the arts around them and communicate their insights about both the art forms and the creators behind them.
We support schools and families working towards Discover through visits to Bristol Dockyards and free downloadable resources.
From artworks in the Brunel Institute to the craftsmanship on board the ship, creativity can be found across the site.
Download and print our Arts Award Discover Log Book to record your journey. Best printed at A3 size.
At Bristol Dockyards, discover the arts around you.
- Follow the Discover the Arts Trail (print A4).
- Use Explore Arts Everywhere challenge cards (print double-sided, cut into cards) and identify art forms and creativity presented in your surroundings.
- Record your favourite discoveries here using the My Favourite Discovery Sheet (print A4).
- Schools can take part in interactive workshops, tours and trails.
Learn about the designers, engineers and makers behind the ship:
- Explore original artefacts on the SS Great Britain Experience museum and Being Brunel Museum.
- Attend Archive in Five to meet experts and ask questions.
Before or after your visit, you can learn more about the designers and engineers through our collections.
ARTS AWARD EXPLORE
Arts Award Explore is an entry‑level qualification that encourages children and young people to discover a wide range of art forms, artists, and arts organisations. Participants investigate different creative genres, respond through their own artwork, and develop communication skills as they share what they’ve learned. These combined experiences lead to a recognised qualification.
There is plenty to take part in at Bristol Dockyards.
Schools can book interactive workshops, tours and trails. Families can join craft workshops, storytelling sessions and special events throughout the year.
Did you know the Bristol Dockyards is also an arts organisation?
- Discover the creative people and collections behind the ships on the SS Great Britain Experience and the Being Brunel Museum.
- Meet experts at Archive In Five.
- Discover Brunel’s creative side, in The Brunel Institute and see how we care for and preserve our collections.
- Come see the performances and creative events we host throughout the year.
Take part in a workshop, performance or storytelling session during your visit.
There are regular opportunities to create, respond and share ideas.
Artsmark
Through our workshops, tours, self-led activities and online learning resources, we help schools meet key Artsmark Award criteria:
Curriculum design: Make clear connections between the arts and other subjects.
Children and young people’s engagement: Inspire meaningful engagement with arts and culture in a fun, accessible way.
Range of offer: Provide a high-quality museum experience, rooted in your local area with national significance.
Partnerships: Support long-term relationships with schools, alongside free online resources.
Values and ethos: Encourage curiosity and creativity through learning beyond the classroom.
ARTS AWARD LEVELS
Learn about the different Arts Award levels you can achieve visiting Bristol Dockyards. Before or after your visit why not explore Brunel as an artist and designer or get inspired by the people behind Bristol Dockyards with our online learning resources.
Bronze
Part A – Take part: Explore the arts on the Discover the Arts Trail at Bristol Dockyards and get inspired to create your own work.
Part B – Be an audience: Visit the site or attend an event, then review your experience.
Part C – Get inspired: Discover the creative people behind the ship and explore historic collections in The Brunel Institute and SS Great Britain Experience. Learn more in Archive in Five—meet original artefacts and ask questions.
Part D – Share your skills: Tag us on Facebook or Instagram using #ArtsAward.
Silver
Part A – Review: Visit or attend an event, then write a review.
Part B – Research artists: Discover the creative people behind the ship and explore historic collections in The Brunel Institute and SS Great Britain Experience. Learn more in Archive in Five—meet original artefacts and ask questions.
Part C – Research arts organisations
Explore how the Bristol Dockyards is an arts organisation through our talks, performances and events.
Aged 18–25? Consider volunteering to build your skills and experience.
Gold
Part A – Share your work: Tag us on Facebook or Instagram using #ArtsAward.
Part B – Get involved: Discover the creative people behind the ship and explore historic collections in The Brunel Institute and SS Great Britain Experience. Learn more in Archive in Five—meet original artefacts and ask questions. Aged 18–25? Consider volunteering to build your skills and experience.
Part C – Review: Visit or attend an event, then write a review.
