Young people in Bolton are being offered the chance to explore creative careers, thanks to a series of free workshops.

Bolton School has teamed up with the Manchester International Festival to offer 15 places for local residents aged14-19 on an online arts programme dubbed Your Manifesto.

Over the course of the eight workshops, which will run on Saturday mornings from March 20 to May 8, participants will get the opportunity to learn more about jobs in the creative arts sector, develop their own skills and expand their creative networks.

The sessions will also include artist-led workshops, conversations with creative leaders and discussions about career pathways.

The project is being delivered by Bolton School in collaboration with Manchester International Festival (MIF) as part of Curious Minds’ SLiCE programme.

It came about thanks to the Bolton School Boys’ Division Director of Creative Learning and Partnerships Naomi Lord's work with Curious Minds as a SLiCE (Specialist Leader in Cultural Education) fellow.

"The origin of the 'Your Manifesto' project was listening to what our pupils and pupils at Shaples High School had to tell us about their experience of arts and culture," said Naomi. "They told us that they wanted to make and produce art and art events about things that are important to them, for the environments and people that are closest to them - their homes, neighbourhoods, families and friends."

She added: "We hope that this project sets a strong precedent for greater youth agency and representation. The ethos of the co-creation runs through the project, it was natural to open the opportunity to young people across the borough as a Schools Together enterprise."

Applications are open until midnight on March 12. To apply, you must be attending school or college in Bolton. See https://forms.gle/3UWzLFxLNHSVEcoK6