Children can benefit enormously from opportunities to experience the arts

Schools Minister Jacqui Smith

The schemes, which will involve up to 25 schools in each of the areas, will start in April 2002.

"Every child should have creativity in his or her life," said Culture Secretary Chris Smith, "and the chance to develop their creative skills and knowledge, through access to the rich diversity of the imaginative work or our arts organisations, creative individuals and industries."

The initiative will be developed and managed by the Arts Council of England.

Schools Minister Jacqui Smith said: "Children can benefit enormously from opportunities to experience the arts. This programme will widen access to such opportunities for them and their teachers.

"It will make the valuable resources offered by theatres, opera houses, working actors and musicians, as well as the creative industries, readily accessible to schools. This will help to enrich their learning at school, across the whole curriculum."

The areas which will benefit are:

• Manchester/Salford
• Merseyside/Liverpool
• Tees Valley
• Durham/Sunderland
• Kingston upon Hull
• South Yorkshire coalfields
• Birmingham
• Black country
• Nottingham
• Norfolk
• Bristol
• Cornwall
• Slough
• Kent
• Inner London east and south