14/02/2008
As previewed in the DCSF's Children's Plan in December, the government has announced its ambition to offer all children five hours of cultural activity per week.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls and Culture Secretary Andy Burnham launched the initiative on Wednesday 13 February at the Young Vic theatre in London. The £25m Find Your Talent scheme will allow children to take part in a wide range of activities from music and dance to filmmaking, creative writing and digital arts - as spectators, participants and creators - and will initially be piloted in ten areas around the country.
The activity can be delivered both in and out of school, as part of the national curriculum or in extended schools programmes. The scheme will especially aim to target children who may otherwise miss out on cultural opportunities.
A new Youth Culture Trust will be set up to develop this cultural offer and bring together local providers, similar to the existing Youth Sports Trust. There is also a £110m boost for the Creative Partnerships programme, which enables young people to work with creative professionals.
"All children have creative talents and we want to ensure that they have the opportunity to develop them," said Culture Secretary Andy Burnham. "Theatre, film, music, museums and other art forms can be life-changing for young people, broadening their horizons and raising self-confidence and aspirations.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls said: "Many of us remember the first ever live music we heard or the first ever performance we saw. I want all young people to have the chance to both experience and take part in creative activities to help them learn and develop."
The ministers acknowledged that there will be challenges in implementing the ambition and teachers have expressed concerns about the ability of schools to provide the offer alongside many other commitments and obligations.
Read the full press release.
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