Arts Award is a range of unique qualifications that supports anyone aged up to 25 to grow as artists and arts leaders, inspiring them to connect with and take part in the wider arts world through taking challenges in an art form - from fashion to digital art, pottery to poetry – and this year, for the first time, to explore the natural world through Wild Art at our stunning Carlton Marshes nature reserve.

Carlton Marshes is the only nature reserve in the country registered as an Arts Award centre and, in August, we hosted our first Discover level Arts Award course, led by botanical and wildlife artist, and Arts Award advisor, Ruth Wharrier.

Teenagers aged 13-16 joined us for a day of wild art discovery, taking inspiration from the wildlife around them to design and create a piece of art, made entirely from natural materials. Many were inspired by the climate crisis to create a piece that spoke of the decline of the natural world and the urgency of the need to reverse that decline and restore our once wildlife-rich landscape.

A key aspect of the Discover level award is the sharing of the art created with others. So the day ended with family members, along with Trust staff and volunteers coming together to witness the stunning works of art created by these young people in only a few hours, and to hear them speak, often passionately, of their inspiration for the pieces.

For Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the fabulous thing about Arts Award is that it has allowed us to provide young people with a new way to access nature, and, in so doing, has brought new families to the marshes and given them the opportunity to experience the breath-taking beauty and rich diversity of wildlife found here.

If you are, or know, a teenager who would like to explore art and the natural world in a new way then join us this October half-term holiday, when we will be running a second Discover level course, for teenagers aged 13-16. No previous experience of art is required, just an enthusiasm for art and the natural world, as participants will be supported through the whole day by tutor Ruth Wharrier.

Find out more and book a place

Arts Award in England is managed by Trinity College London (the awarding body) in association with Arts Council England.