[cma-l] £135 Million Funding Boost Announced For Five Hours of Culture

[CMA-L]

As part of the Government's ambitions to give young people in England 
the chance to experience high quality arts and culture, a new £25 
million 'Find Your Talent' scheme has been launched.

The scheme was announced last week by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and 
Children's Minister Ed Balls and will be implemented by a new body 
called the Youth Culture Trust. It is accompanied by a £110 million 
investment in the successful 'Creative Partnerships' scheme which allows 
youngsters in schools to work with creative professionals such as 
artists, writers and actors.

Taking part in cultural activities can have a huge impact on a child's 
development and the moves are part of the Government's drive to unlock 
the creative talent of all young people to give them the chance to learn 
and to develop skills and appreciation.

The programme will be piloted in ten areas throughout the country and 
will give young people the opportunity to discover and develop their 
talents, ultimately offering five hours a week of arts and culture, both 
in and outside of school.

Youngsters will be offered the chance to learn and experience a number 
of cultural activities, such as performing on stage, attending museums 
and heritage sites, learning a musical instrument, producing creative 
writing and learning about new media and digital art.

Andy Burnham said:

"All children have creative talents and we want to ensure that they have 
the opportunity to develop them. Theatre, film, music, museums and other 
art forms can be life-changing for young people, broadening their 
horizons and raising self-confidence and aspirations.

"There will be practical challenges in delivering this ambitious goal of 
course, and these pilots will give us the chance to see what those 
challenges are. But this is a fantastic opportunity for schools to build 
on what they already do."

Ed Balls said:

"All children and young people should have the chance to experience top 
quality culture - whether that is seeing a play or dance performance, 
learning a musical instrument or producing some creative writing.

"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."

http://www.culture.gov.uk/