Hey just to add some answers to this thread for those who may still be looking:
I applied for and received the Exceptional Talent (Exceptional Promise) visa in 2015, through the Arts Council England endorsement route (I am a visual arts curator.) I then helped 2 other friends apply for & receive this visa (one was an artist filmmaker, one was a arts writer/critic.)
My memory from 2015 is a little fuzzy by now, but here's some answers
SarjanNartan wrote: ↑Sat May 12, 2018 1:27 am
Means the 3 letters were from Same arts organisations or you said businesses means what kind?
Here are the guidelines:
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/tier-1-h ... #section-3
See Question 2. They need to be from different arts organisations, and one of them needs to be in the UK. Just follow their guidelines carefully. For the UK organisation, I advised my friends to choose an organisation that the Arts Council was likely to have heard of – so, it could be an organisation that has received Arts Council funding in the past. This is not in the strict guidance, but just what I thought was best, and luckily they had a connection to some Arts Council funded organisations.
SarjanNartan wrote: ↑Sat May 12, 2018 1:27 am
Also 10 documents means how did you count. Also did you sumbmit Media recognisation? If yes then how did you managed to collect them as I have got some news channels covered my show and articles, press release and photo albums of my appearances so how would I sum not as they asked for only 10 documents.
See Question 1 of the guidelines:
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/tier-1-h ... #section-3
Again I can't quite remember but I think you are required to submit these as PDFs/printout documents, or links. If you are including broadcasts and they are not available online, get a copy and upload them to YouTube, and include the link. Just make everything really clear and easy for them. You also need to provide documents from at least 2 countries, not just your own (since they want to see that you are internationally recognized.)
Musician88 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2017 2:10 pm
for the proof of concerts section, would copies of programmes from prestigious concerts with ensembles with which I play be valid in your opinion? What sort of specific documents did you submit?
Yes, I think this would be acceptable, as long as they can see the name of the venue/organisation on the programme, and your name too. They are ultimately just using their judgment.
dcroim wrote: ↑Tue May 01, 2018 11:38 pm
I'm a bit unsure as to what "level" of performances they are looking for. I've performed at nationally/internationally recognized festivals as well as smaller gigs in the US and Canada but I don't know if those smaller gigs would count? The same question would go for reviews I guess... Im just trying to figure out what "level" I need to be at to qualify as promising!
It's all subjective, really! But throughout the guidance, they do mention several times these should be 'internationally recognized in your field'. So I would cut out any really local stuff and just focus on national and international stuff, that could be deemed internationally relevant.
In short, I remember feeling nervous whether myself or my friends would qualify, especially since they mention that you can include a "Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe or Emmy Award", in the guidance. 
We're all pretty experienced, but nowhere near that level, by a long, long shot. 
But we made it!
Also I'd really encourage anyone from any country to have the confidence to apply, not just those of us from US, Canada, Australia etc. The Arts Council staff are mostly champions of diversity in the UK's cultural life. If you are recognized in your country with a bit of international experience too, go for it. Just make the strongest case possible, and try to make it really clear for them, like you would on a job application. Make sure your letters or recommendation and media recognition are from reputable organisations, even if they are small ones. Just always think, what would someone in the UK need to know about this evidence I'm providing, to understand its importance or relevance? And then try to spell that out for them however you can, within the guidelines.
Good luck to everyone!
