FAQs

Who can enter?

Anyone who has an active NSEAD membership.

The awards are open to members working in early years settings, schools, MATs, trusts, partnerships, FE colleges, artist educators and museum and gallery learning teams.

Do I have to be an NSEAD member?

Yes, to be nominated you must have active NSEAD membership.

Not a member already? Find out how to join and the benefits of membership here.

Can I nominate someone if I am not an NSEAD member?

Yes! You do not need to be an NSEAD member yourself to complete the entry form.

I don’t know if the person I want to nominate is an NSEAD member

If you are unsure if the person you are nominating is a member of NSEAD, please note this on entry form. If required, we will contact the candidate to discuss their nomination and how it can be progressed.

Are the awards free?

Yes, our awards are completely free of charge to enter.

How do I select a category for my nomination?

Once all nominations have been received, the NSEAD team will review and allocate them to the most relevant categories.

When submitting a nomination, you may indicate which category you believe best fits your nominee.

How do I nominate myself or someone else?

See the entry kit for details of how to nominate, entry criteria, rules and eligibility - link coming soon

Nominate yourself - link coming soon

Nominate someone else - link coming soon

What is better practice?

The NSEAD Better Practice Research Group explore the question 'How do we define Better Practice?' The fact is, there cannot be a single definition. However, the Big Landscape sets out characteristicsthat might define better practice in art, craft and design education, such as:

• Richness of critical and contextual opportunity
• Reference to wider concepts
• Display of cross-curricula aspects, issues/themes and dimensions
• Makes connections creatively
• Increasingly original

When will the Judging Panel be announced?

The 2026 Judging Panel will be announced soon — subscribe to our Awards mailing list and be the first to hear updates and announcements for the 2026 Awards.

 

What is the deadline for entries?

The closing time and date for entries is 18:00 on 27 March 2026. All entries must be received by this time and date to be included. Entries received after the closing date will not be accepted, nor will any that are incomplete on this date.

When will the winners of the Awards be announced?

The winners of the NSEAD Awards 2026 will be announced at an awards ceremony on Saturday 20 June 2026. Details of the event will be announced soon.

Have a question that isn’t answered here?

Email the NSEAD team at [javascript protected email address]