Who it covers
Arts Council England assesses six art forms itself and uses partner organisations for four more
Arts Council England assesses professional artists and arts practitioners in combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre and visual arts, including lead curators in museums and galleries. Four partner organisations assess other areas on its behalf. Applications from areas it does not support may be returned as ineligible without assessment, so that the endorsement fee can be refunded.
Not supported
Many creative jobs fall outside Arts Council England's remit
Some creative work is not supported, even when it is high quality. A fashion photographer with magazine covers, or an art director at a branding agency, would not fit. Check this before you collect any evidence.
- Commercial, editorial and fashion photography
- Any work for marketing campaigns, advertising or branding
- Journalism, general writing about the arts and factual non-fiction writing
- Researchers, teachers, lecturers and arts administration
- Art critics, art dealers, podcasts and digital content creators
One area only
Your whole application must focus on one area of practice
Arts Council England cannot share an assessment with Pact, the BFC, RIBA or the DBA. Working across theatre and film, for example, is not treated as combined arts. Choose one area of practice from the last five years and make the CV, letters and evidence all point to it. An application split across two areas may be returned.
1Is your work professional, rather than student, amateur or academic work?
2In the last 5 years, has your work been published, performed, presented or exhibited in at least 1 country (2 for Exceptional Talent)? Your home country can count.
3Do you have media reviews, awards or proof of appearances from the last 5 years?
4Could 2 well-established cultural organisations, 1 of them in the UK, write for you, plus a third organisation or an eminent individual?
Answer the 4 questions to see where you stand.
A quick self-check, not an assessment. It does not predict any outcome.
Talent or Promise
Exceptional Talent needs a five-year track record and demand in more than one country
Exceptional Talent is for current leaders with a substantial professional track record in at least the last five years, and demand for their work in more than one country. Exceptional Promise is for people early in a professional career, with a developing track record in at least the last three years and demand in at least one country, which can be the country of residence. Exceptional Promise is not available for film, television, animation, post-production or visual effects.
The evidence
You can submit no more than ten pieces, and each must meet one of three combinations
For the six Arts Council England art forms, evidence comes from three categories: media recognition, awards and proof of appearances. Upload each piece as a separate document of no more than two pages. Media recognition, awards and engagements must fall within the last five years of the application date. Your bundle must meet at least one of these minimum combinations, which apply to both routes.
What does not count
Interviews, social media, student work and grants are common reasons evidence is rejected
Media recognition must be a detailed independent review, critique or critical evaluation of your work by a named critic. A newspaper interview about your life, or a preview of a show that has not yet happened, does not count. Proof of appearances needs official proof that you took part, such as a programme or listing with your name, role, date and country.
- Interviews and previews, unless they include a detailed critical review
- Blogs for Exceptional Talent, and social media for either route
- Student, amateur and academic work, including graduate shows
- Grants and bursaries, which are not awards
- Contracts, invoices, offers of employment and payment records as proof of appearances
- Taking part in residencies, workshops, panels, conferences and fairs (being employed to lead residencies or workshops may be allowed)
Want us to look at your own evidence against these rules?
Book a free 30-minute callCV and documents
Your artistic CV decides your career stage, and a weak one can sink the application
Submit a detailed artistic CV showing your full professional career and education, with specific dates, including the year, for each engagement. If the CV is missing or does not show the right career stage, the application will be unsuccessful even if the letters and evidence meet the criteria. A link or screenshot of an online CV, bio or LinkedIn profile is not accepted.
- Evidence in another language needs a full English translation from a certified translator
- Web browser translations are not accepted
- Webpage evidence needs a full printed copy or screenshot and a working URL
- Screenshot paywalled articles in full
- No DVDs, CDs, books, zip files or file-sharing links
Decision and refusal
There is no fast track, and a review cannot add new evidence
You apply online to the Home Office, and the application is passed to Arts Council England, so you do not contact it directly. Arts Council England aims to decide within eight weeks, there is no fast track service, and high volumes mean decisions are currently taking longer. If you are not endorsed, you can request a free Endorsement Review within 28 days if you think the process or criteria were not followed, or reapply with different evidence and pay the fee again.
- A review checks how your application was handled, not whether it can be improved
- You cannot submit new evidence in a review
- A review decision is normally returned within 28 calendar days, but Arts Council England says reviews are also taking longer than this target
Related guides
Keep reading
Guides applicants usually read next on this topic.
Arts Council England letters of support for Global Talent: who can write them and what they must say
Arts Council England asks for exactly three letters of support, and each one has mandatory content and format rules.
Read related guidePact Global Talent endorsement for film and television: what you need to know
Pact assesses film, television, animation, post-production and visual effects applications for Arts Council England, under Exceptional Talent only.
Read related guideExceptional Talent vs Exceptional Promise: which category fits your endorsement application?
Talent is for recognised leaders and Promise is for early-career potential leaders, but each endorsing body draws the line in its own way.
Read related guideApplying from outside the UK. If your reviews, awards or venues are outside the UK, assessors check the outlet, the critic and the award themselves, so choose named critics in well-established outlets, include certified English translations, and make sure the date and country of each engagement are visible.
Article FAQ
Questions to settle before you spend time or money.
Use these answers to check the practical risks, documents, and decisions connected to this topic.
Does Arts Council England assess film and television applications?
No. Pact assesses film, television, animation, post-production and visual effects applications on its behalf, under Exceptional Talent only.
How many pieces of evidence can I submit?
No more than ten. Each piece must be a separate document of no more than two pages, from the last five years.
Does an interview in a national newspaper count as media recognition?
Usually not. It only counts if it is about your artistic practice, is with a recognised critic and includes a detailed review or critique of your work.
Can I use an arts grant or bursary as an award?
No. Grants and bursaries are not accepted as awards for either route.
Can I use my LinkedIn profile instead of a CV?
No. You need a detailed artistic CV with dates for each engagement, and a link or screenshot of an online profile is not accepted.
Can I pay for a faster decision?
No. Arts Council England does not offer a fast track service at Stage 1.
Plan your evidence
Not sure your evidence meets Arts Council England's rules?
We help you check whether your practice fits one area, choose between Talent and Promise, and map your reviews, awards and appearances against the published combinations.