The Start programme provides funding and support to cultural venues so they can form partnerships with local primary and secondary schools in their area. This means that during an academic year the participating students will go to at least two performances, concerts or exhibitions and take part in a number of workshops and follow up work within the classroom, to bring their experience to life.

"Ikon is delighted to be extending its innovative work with schools as part of the Start programme, which enables us to engage with over 500 primary school children who otherwise, may not have the opportunity to explore contemporary art," said Claire Turner, Curator of Education and Interpretation, Ikon Gallery.

For the academic year of 2008/09 The Children & The Arts Start programme will be working with a total of 49 art organisations and over 23,000 children.

Other venues involved in the Start programme include The Norwich Playhouse, Nottingham Playhouse, Hampstead Theatre, South London Gallery, The Gate Theatre, Jack Drum Arts, Seven Stories, Mid Pennine Arts, The Drumcroon Gallery, South Lanarkshire Council, Citizens Theatre Glasgow, Gulbenkian Theatre, Egg Theatre at Theatre Royal Bath, Clwyd Theatre Cymru and Northern Ballet Theatre.