The DCMS has launched a £25m scheme to provide more opportunities for young people in England to access and enjoy the arts and cultural activities.

The Find Your Talent programme – to be piloted in ten areas countrywide – will give children the right to five hours of arts and culture a week, both at school and during home hours.

The proposals include providing opportunities for youngsters to perform on stage and attend performances, museums, galleries and heritage sites as well as to gain hands-on experience within creative industries, such as film-making, radio and TV.

Learning a musical instrument, writing creatively, accessing new media and digital art and developing art and craft skills will also be encouraged.

Over the next three years, a further £110m will also be invested in the government’s ongoing Creative Partnerships scheme, which offers children, at 2,000 schools each year, the opportunity to work alongside creative professionals such as artists, writers and actors.

The Youth Culture Trust is overseeing both projects, with funding from the Arts Council.

In addition, £13m more will be invested over the same period in the joint DCMS/DCSF Strategic Commissioning initiative to fund further educational work with museums and galleries in England.

Children’s minister Ed Balls said: “All children and young people should have the chance to experience top quality culture – whether that is seeing a play or dance performance, learning a musical instrument or producing some creative writing.

“Many of us remember the first ever live music we heard or the first ever performance we saw. I want all young people to have the chance to both experience and take part in creative activities to help them learn and develop.”