The Young People's Arts Award, which is awaiting approval from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, has been piloted for the past 12 months in youth arts organisations, young offender institutions and local authorities.
The award is aimed at 13- to 25-year-olds and will be modelled on the Community Sports Leadership Award. It will offer three levels of qualification - bronze, silver and gold. An Arts Council spokeswoman said: "It is hoped that the award will count towards helping young people get a career in the arts or go to university."
Young people will meet challenges set by themselves and by arts award advisers to gain the qualification. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is also talking to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme to find ways for each award to count towards the other. A web site will launch in September.
