There are many opportunities for children and young people to take part in exciting activities across the visual arts. These range from acting as gallery guides and giving their own talks on works of art to learning about art history, making films, and experimenting with a range of art and crafts techniques.

New technologies are also encouraging new interactive forms of participation, with young art lovers enthusiastically uploading and sharing their photographs, creating their own podcasts, curating their own online exhibitions, and playing games exploring virtual reality.

We are one of the key funders of Engage, the national association for gallery education. Engage has made vital contributions to gallery-based learning for young people in ways that have enhanced the school curriculum and provided children with an in-depth understanding of contemporary art.

Since 2004, Engage has run Enquire, a national programme developed in association with the Arts Council. Enquire delivers exciting projects that introduce children and young people to contemporary art, artists and galleries. The current phase runs from 2009 to 2011 and supports galleries and local authorities to develop joint projects in partnership with schools and youth groups and artists.