MORE of Bradford’s young people will be able to access some of the top theatrical tours thanks to a new partnership between the Alhambra Theatre and a national charity.

The city centre theatre has just been named as a partner for the Start campaign, run by Children in the Arts. It will see 330 Bradford children, who normally have little chance of accessing the arts, let alone visit the theatre, invited to view productions at the Alhambra and take part in workshops there.

The programme starts in September and will involve seven Bradford schools. It will work with pupils in Year 4, Years 7-9 as well as college students aged 16-18.

The three-year engagement programme of arts activity by the charity brings together selected cultural organisations and local schools is an attempt to tackle inequality by working only with the children who need it most, who are at risk of missing out on a creative and cultural education, from visits to art galleries to drama workshops in theatres.

The new Alhambra partnership, which will see theatre staff working with children from several schools in the district, will help ensure a “legacy for Bradford children,” according to the manager of the city’s theatres,

Start has been running nationally for 10 years and has involved over 130,000 young people aged four to 16 years old. The programme is proven to raise the aspirations of young people, building confidence and helping with learning and development in school.

During the first year, children will make at least two visits to the Alhambra Theatre to see a selection of shows, covering most genres and including some of the most high profile stage shows in the UK.

They will then work with the team at the Alhambra Theatre in workshops to develop their critical eye and have fun creating their own artistic work, with the opportunity to celebrate their achievements at the end of each year.

Start also provides teachers with training for them to deliver the arts programme, helping pupils realise their full potential and making links to the curriculum.

Jeremy Newton, Chief Executive of Children and the Arts, is proud of the fact that Start takes learning beyond the classroom, empowering children and young people in a fun and exciting environment.

He said: “The Start programme helps the many children in the UK who are denied the opportunity to engage with the arts. Start shows that museums and galleries, theatres and concert halls, are places that will welcome them, places where they can experience and learn something new, and most of all, places that they can enjoy.

“We know that Start has had a huge impact on children’s confidence, their communication skills, and led to the personal development of thousands of children across the UK.

“We are delighted to be working with the Alhambra Theatre to provide these opportunities for children in Bradford.”

Other groups to have just been announced as partners include The Guildhall Museum, in Rochester and the Focal Point Gallery in Southend.

Adam Renton, General Manager Bradford Theatres says: “This is an exciting opportunity to work with Bradford schools allowing children to experience the wonders of live theatre. I’m sure we can all remember the first time we ever went to the theatre and we hope to provide that legacy for Bradford children in the years to come.”

The schools that have provisionally signed up to the scheme are Bradford College, Samuel Lister Academy, Beckfoot Upper Heaton, Grange Technology College, Feversham College, Hill Top C E Primary School and Southmere Primary Academy.