Does your child want to be the next Picasso, JK Rowling or Jamelia? Right across the country some fantastic opportunities have been created in the arts.
These range from drama workshops, to photography, circus acts and music. Getting stuck into these kinds of activities really helps kids to develop their talents, enthusiasm and love of life.
To find out more about arts projects near you, visit the Arts Council England website, or call 0845 300 6200.
Youth
Music has given over 800,000 kids the chance to get involved with music
- from learning the violin to DJ-ing. Most of its projects take place
after school, so kids stay off the streets and get more out of life.
Find out more about Youth Music - visit www.thesoundstation.org.uk or call 020 7902 1060.
The
Campaign for Drawing organises drawing sessions for children of all ages.
They take place right across the country in galleries, museums, science
centres and libraries. Kids get the chance to try their hand at all types
of drawing - experimenting with different materials, from pencils, crayons,
charcoal, sand and clay, to digital pictures and fire sculptures.
The Big Draw 2005 runs from 12-19 October - it's a brilliant opportunity. Find out more about the Campaign for Drawing at www.drawingpower.org.uk/menu2.htm or call 020 7902 1060.
The BBC's Blast website has everything you need to express yourself, find your voice, play with words, scribble and write, write, write.
Explore the rich heritage of British children's books and tell your own tales at Seven Stories in Newcastle.
The British Film Institute in London runs Movie Magic - a programme of children's films, from recent releases, to family classics. They also hold monthly Saturday workshops; giving children aged from 6 to 12 the chance to find out more about making films. They get to make costumes and sets, as well as try their hand at filming.
Research shows that 16 year-olds who play music, read and write for fun are more successful in later life. They might even make a living from their hobby. Your child could be the next Steven Spielberg. To book a place at Movie Magic, call the British Film Institute on 020 7928 3232. You can also find up to date information about the programmes being run by visiting the website at www.bfi.org.uk
Tara, 8 says:
I thought the workshop was really wicked because you were able to make your own animations.