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 Visually stunning, fresh, thought-provoking, vibrant, ground-breaking, and energetic…this is the flavour of what Cheshire has to offer arts lovers.
Whatever your age or your artistic inclination, there should be something that appeals.
Tapping into the wealth of talent in the Council’s 290 primary and 45 secondary schools has unleashed a stunning array of artistic potential.
 Reception areas displaying colourful works, art departments awash with colour, community halls and public arenas packed with creative designs testify to this commitment.
If a picture speaks a thousand words, Cheshire holds the lexicon in artistic expression.
And how much the poorer local communities would be without the fantastic contribution made by artists of all ages, skills and talents through the media of paint, song, dance, music, drama or crafts.
'A rich palette of skills adds colour to local arts activities'
 Nurturing it from the earliest age is important: two village primary schools at Darnhall, near Winsford and Little Legh, near Northwich have each won national Beacon status for their artistic endeavours, acting as a benchmark in standards for other classrooms near and far.
An adventurous approach to creativity in older students is paying dividends with stunning works of art showcased through a varied programme of exhibitions at Woodford Lodge Gallery, in Winsford. For many budding artists this venue has acted as a springboard for successful and fulfilling careers in the arts.
It’s a success story which has not gone unnoticed. The Government educational standards-setting body, Ofsted, has highlighted Cheshire’s high levels of artistic endeavour in its keynote publication ‘Good Teaching in the Arts’. Two high schools – Poynton and Queen’s Park, in Chester – have won specialist college status in performing arts and visual arts, respectively.
'An adventurous approach to creativity in older students is paying dividends with stunning works of art…'
Undoubtedly, at the heart of this high level of pupil achievement is the wealth of skills offered by arts teachers of English, visual arts, drama, music and dance throughout the Council’s schools - and the support they receive from experienced advisors in education.
In real terms this gives teaching staff the opportunity to hone existing skills and develop innovative new approaches through a range of in-service training opportunities.
 Pupils, too, have the chance to take part in useful interaction with talented visiting professional artists and arts organisations working in schools on accredited programmes to stir the imagination.
Cheshire is committed to arts education for a multi-cultural society, encouraging and enabling artists from diverse backgrounds to work in schools and share their expertise.
And thanks to Cheshire’s link with the Gauteng district of South Africa a range of exchanges with teachers and students have helped delivered innovative plays and productions to large audiences on both continents.
'…a rich collection of stunning paintings, drawings, sculpture and artefacts'
 Across Cheshire throughout the year pupils also enjoy a wealth of arts activities through specialist courses at week-ends or in the school holidays to develop new techniques and spark inspiration.
Each year a residential week-long course is run by the Council’s arts advisory service for school groups at the Conway Centre in North Wales. This provides the opportunity for young people to work with multi-cultural artists and explore stories, drama, music, art and dance from a wide variety of countries.
Cheshire Youth Theatre’s annual residential Summer Production course has notched up 36 years - and is still going strong! Events involve over 100 young people directly, with sell-out performances to over 2000 pupils each year.
'Events involve over 100 young people directly, with sell-out performances…'
For the past ten years and the annual Christmas Experience for primary school pupils at the Drama Centre engages 2000 pupils and their teachers in live interactive drama, most recently with South African and Palestinian performers.
 Music and song strike a rich chord among Cheshire’s talented young musicians and singers – and thanks to co-ordinating activities of the Council advisory service the circle is widening.
Among the wide range of music ensembles are Cheshire’s Youth Orchestra, Brass Band and Choir.
New Opportunities funding through a Study Support grant is helping to uncover a rich seam of talent – from Samba bands in Ellesmere Port to the west of the county, steel bands in Northwich and Wilmslow in mid-Cheshire and Crewe in the south of the county.
The county’s Vocal Strategy to encourage high standards in singing in junior schools is striking the right note too. Chester city schools boast concert and dance bands, a strings’ orchestra as well as a thriving primary schools’ choir.
Cheshire Youth Theatres and Youth Dance Companies each present young people with exciting possibilities to express themselves through movement and drama.
Every summer sixth-form students exchange the scenic backdrop of Cheshire’s rolling plains for Italy’s dramatic Tuscan terrain.
Year on year, the visual art study tour yields a rich collection of stunning paintings, drawings, sculpture and artefacts which go on to form a open exhibition attracting - and delighting -hundreds of visitors.
It also provides a huge confidence boost for the burgeoning talents of young artists involved..
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