Arts in action

Young children broadened their cultural horizons and stretched their artistic talents in a unique project that brought satisfaction to all concerned, as Marie Charlton reports In 2003, the Arts Council England launched its DECIBEL project to 'raise the voice of culturally diverse arts in Britain'. As an early years consultant, I saw it as an exciting chance to nurture the creativity of young children in St Helens, Merseyside, by combining the passion of local black and Asian artists with early years work in an area that is dominated by a white British monoculture.