£25m for children to join the Mersey culture club

May 30 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEYSIDE has been chosen as one of 10 pilot areas across the country to offer children five hours of culture every week.

Liverpool, St Helens and Knowsley councils, under a combined city region bid, were chosen from 141 bids to pilot a Find Your Talent programme.

The Government announced £25m to give children a range of high-quality cultural experiences back in February.

Children will be given the chance to perform on stage and attend performances, exhibitions at museums and galleries and heritage sites.

They will also be encouraged to learn a musical instrument and develop skills in arts and crafts.

In Merseyside, the programme will build on the success of the Capital of Culture year and a number of organisations have already pledged their support.

National Museums Liverpool and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic will lead the programme in partnership with The Bluecoat, FACT, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, Tate Liverpool and the Unity Theatre.

Details of the number of schools involved and how the programme will work have yet to be thrashed out, but could include school trips and activities out of school hours.

Lorraine Rogers, chair of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Trustee of National Museums Liverpool, said: “Along with our Liverpool Arts Regeneration Campaign (LARC) and public sector colleagues, we’re delighted to be lead partners in the Find Your Talent programme.

“This significant funding will help us to continue driving forward our ambition for every child and young person in our region to have access to world class creative experiences.

“It will enable us to build on the momentum of Liverpool 08, and develop the future creators and innovators to strengthen the social, economic and cultural life of the City Region.”

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, originally from Newton-le-Willows, said it was a truly exciting initiative that could open minds and change young lives.

“Enjoying and exploring culture and the arts is not a luxury, or an add-on, for young people. It can be a way of developing essential life skills like communication and creativity, and contribute to personal development and self-esteem. Too many young people still leave school without really finding out what they could be good at: the things that could be the basis of a fulfilling life.

“These pilots will kick off the long process of putting that right.”

laurasharpe