The Customs House Arts Award Welcome Offer is able to help young people achieve by enjoying and appreciating the arts whether this is through being audience members for a range of shows or events that the Customs House offers through it's regular programme, including theatre, music and visual arts or through participating in workshops and special events.

The Customs House has a range of activities that young people can get involved in to help them to take part in the arts, including, the weekly circus zone and break dancing classes.

Young people are also able to showcase their work in a range of ways through the Customs House and through partnerships that the Customs House has developed in the local community and beyond.

We are able to provide opportunities for young people to review our shows and work with professional reviewers to develop the skills needed to do this. We will feature the best reviews on our website.

If you are involved in the Arts Award either as an individual, Arts Award adviser, Arts Award centre, a school, or youth organisation we can offer you all sorts of varied and exciting opportunities.

We can also offer free theatre tickets through the A Night Less Ordinary, national initiative.

If you are an Arts Award centre or adviser and would like to bring a group to see any performances at The Customs House we can offer you exclusive access to post show discussions, tours, talks, workshops and behind the scenes information, all you need to do is ask! If you are an Arts Award Adviser and you are working with an individual participant who would like to review any of our shows please contact us to arrange interviews with actors or directors.

We do also offer occasional work placement opportunities alongside our schools work experience programme. These placements could contribute to your Silver or Gold award and many of the Customs House staff team are trained as Arts Award Advisers and so are aware of the needs and requirements of the award.

Please contact Emma Horsman, Cultural Development Officer on 0191 427 8197 to discuss opportunities.

The Arts Award is a national qualification that recognises how young people develop as artists, arts practitioners and arts leaders. Young people aged between 11-25 can achieve Arts Awards at levels 1, 2 and 3 (Bronze, Silver and Gold) on the National Qualifications Framework.

To find out more information about Arts Award go to the national website: www.artsaward.org.uk