Printmaking, mentoring, and honest advice on building a creative career. Council England. 10 weekend workshops, 10 evening meet-ups, 10 1-2-1 mentoring sessions, and 10 open studio sessions — spread across 10 months, not full-time.
Who is it for?
This programme is particularly aimed at young people in Lambeth aged 16–25, including those who are not currently in education, employment, or training (NEET). We especially welcome applications from those who face financial or other barriers to accessing arts opportunities. All materials and participation are fully funded — there is no cost to take part in the Arts Award programme itself.
No previous printmaking experience is necessary — but you should already have some existing skills in drawing, painting, or a related visual art form. As part of your application you’ll be asked to share 1–3 examples of your work (a link to an Instagram or portfolio, a couple of photos, or simply bringing examples along to the Open Day).
Why printmaking?
Printmaking is booming, and it's one of the most versatile and accessible art forms — and one that builds real skills for creative careers — exactly what the Gold Arts Award is designed to recognise.. At Artichoke, you'll work alongside a community of professional printmakers in a studio with over 30 years of history.
Gold is the highest level of Arts Award, a national qualification run by Trinity College London that gives young people insight into life as an arts professional. It is a Level 3 qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, worth 16 UCAS points — a real boost to university and job applications.
About the Gold Arts Award
The award is young person-led: you build a portfolio, in a format of your choice, showing evidence of two units.
Unit 1 — Personal arts development. Through our workshops, open studio sessions, exhibition visits and work-experience placement, you'll extend your arts practice, create new work, actively explore the arts world, review arts events, research artists and their careers, and make the case for an arts issue that matters to you.
Unit 2 — Leadership of an arts project. With mentoring support, you'll plan and deliver your own print project — identifying aims, organising people and resources, presenting your work at our public exhibition in July 2027, and evaluating feedback from participants and audiences.
Along the way you'll develop critical-thinking, organisational, problem-solving, collaboration, communication and management skills — a foothold in the creative industries, whatever you go on to do.
Find out more at artsaward.org.uk.
'I've already done a BA, can I still do this?'
Yes. There's no rule against having a degree already — the only requirements are your age (16–25) and having some existing skill in a visual art form. In fact, this is a genuinely good fit for BA Fine Art graduates who feel unsure what comes next, or who want more practical support than their course gave them before they move on.
See Website for more FAQ's...
How to Apply
Download the application from our website, fill it out and email it back to [email protected], or print it out and post to Artichoke Print Workshop, Ground Floor Unit G5, Coldharbour Works, 245a Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8RR. Alternatively, email us and we'll post you an application form.
While we have publicised this opportunity, please note that: (i) the application and selection process is managed by the advertising company/organisation; and (ii) we rely on them to: provide accurate, up-to-date details about themselves and the opportunity; ensure that opportunities are ethical and paid fairly. To report a listing, please email [email protected].