LONDON, UK.- New Arts Award Encourages Youngsters To Go For Gold Says Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell. Young people will have the chance of acquiring a new national award for achievement in the arts under a scheme announced today by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

The Young People's Arts Award, to be run by Arts Council England, will be aimed at young people in their teens and early twenties and will recognise their participation in and engagement in the arts. It aims to appeal to the widest range of young people with different backgrounds and cultural interests.

Tessa Jowell said: "This country is internationally recognised for its achievements in the arts. Its contribution to the vitality of our society, let alone the health of our economy, is incalculable. We have the most creative cultural scene in Europe and I want to keep it that way. So we must encourage the seed corn for future artists.

"The new scheme aims to do just that by encouraging young people to develop their creative potential. It will provide a high profile, credible award that will be both an achievement in itself and a recognised qualification."

Sir Christopher Frayling, Chair of Arts Council England said: "The Arts Award will give high-profile recognition to young people's engagement with the arts; it will also encourage independence through real experiences of leadership and team work. The Award offers tremendous potential for sowing the seeds of commitment to the arts, and will - we hope - help to foster a new generation of artists. "

The award currently has three parts at Silver and part four at Gold; a Bronze level may follow: Part one, individual achievement: develop arts skills by setting a challenge and sharing work with peers; Part two, the world of the arts: go to arts events, take part in local arts activities and explore training and employment in the arts; Part three, leadership and team working: plan and run an arts project involving other people; Part four, arts award portfolio (Gold only): present arts award work in any medium.

Young people will be able to choose any art form they enjoy. Along with an Arts Award adviser they can set their own challenges and get feedback from both other young people and the adviser.

Arts Award advisers will be arts workers, teachers or youth workers who are trained and supported to run the award. Young people who achieve the award will receive an Arts Council England certificate signed by the Chair of the Council.