Entry Requirements
You must be 17+ and have a Level 3 qualification or work experience
Length
One Year
Qualification
RSL Level 4 Diploma – Creative Practitioner
Our Artist Development programme is designed to give you the wide range of skills and experience that you will need to enter the professional world of music.
Develop technical musical/creative skills such as using technology to compose; audio and video recording; music mixing; digital desktop publishing; video and image editing; repertoire and material creation and development; and creating content to engage audiences; alongside performance skills appropriate to your musical discipline.
Regularly practise and perform in front of tutors and peers, realising and showcasing your work in organised performances or showcases to the public.
Develop your professional skills such as target setting, organisation and managing your resources; showcase and promotion skills such as presenting or exhibiting your music, products, and development; and networking skills – within your local campus, within ACC nationally, and within your local and national music scene.
Develop a professional portfolio/Electronic Press Kit utilising branding and image development.
The course will be as practical as possible to develop real life skills, knowledge and experience, and the work you do on the course such as development of material, branding, imagery, and press materials should be usable in the real world wherever possible.
During the course of the year, external working opportunities for working with venues and festivals will arise, and we encourage you to participate with as many of these industry opportunities as you can. Gigs will be arranged by the college, but you will be supported in creating and promoting your own performances.
ACC x DON'T TRY
We’ve partnered with London based, boutique digital marketing and management agency Don’t Try Music to support and empower emerging artists on Artist Development Level 4 better than ever before.
WHAT DOES THE PARTNERSHIP MEAN FOR AD4 LEARNERS?
This dynamic collaboration promises an array of exciting benefits and opportunities for ACC Artist Development students, detailed below:
Industry-Leading Guidance: Don’t Try will serve as the industry partner on the Artist Development course, providing invaluable insights and guidance to students across the three ACC campuses delivering the program.
Real-World Experience: Students will have the opportunity to receive direct feedback on their work and engage with real-world industry material curated by Don’t Try throughout the academic year.
Professional Assessment: Completed student work and portfolios will be assessed by ACC tutors and shared with Don’t Try for review at agreed points during the year. This invaluable feedback loop ensures that students are on the right track to success.
Guest Speaker Series: Don’t Try will host guest speaker sessions during the academic year, offering students direct access to industry professionals and insiders.
UNLOCK YOUR CREATIVE POTENTIAL
By combining ACC’s long-standing dedication to accessible creative education with Don’t Try Music’s industry prowess, students on the Artist Development Course will have the knowledge, skills and network they need to thrive in the notoriously competitive music industry.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You must be at least 17 years old and have a Level 3 qualification or strong experience in the working world.
CAREERS AND PROGRESSION
The course is designed as a guided year for your music career. With the skills you develop, you should find yourself ready to enter the world of music or develop a portfolio career in the creative industries. You could choose to head off to university, or go straight into the world of work.
Typical career paths include:
- Singer
- Performer
- Producer
- DJ
- Songwriter/Composer
- Events Promoter
- Festival Crew
STUDENT BENEFITS
A range of student-friendly offers are available in partnership with WEX. These vary by store so check in with your local branch to see what support they can provide you as an ACC learner.