Universities, colleges and arts bodies are forming a partnership to tap artistic talent in London.
The London Institute and London Arts Board are leading partners in a project to expand educational opportunities for the poor and ethnic minorities as well as improving career prospects.
Higher Education minister Baroness Blackstone was a keynote speaker at last Tuesday's launch, hosted by the Arts Board. Adrian Chappell, board head of access, said that London suffered from a historical lack of communication between art institutions and commercial and community arts bodies. The project was "about setting up dialogue".
The London Institute, representing five London art schools, led a bid for project cash from the Higher Education Funding Council for England last year but was turned down because the bid was deemed too subject specific.
There are plans to submit another bid this autumn.
The government is sympathetic to the initiative not only because of its support for the arts industries and its lifelong learning policies but also because it would form a platform for collaboration with a new unitary London.