Art Matters is a unique arts initiative between NCH, the children's charity and business advisors Ernst & Young that aims to develop and celebrate the creative talent of children and young people facing difficulties and challenges in their lives.

NCH believe that all children and young people have unique potential and should have the support and opportunities they need to reach that potential. Art Matters offers these young people the chance to learn about and express themselves through art, a method of expression that may be new to many of them.

The initiative was set up in 2001, born out of Ernst & young's wish to strengthen and widen their commitment to the arts and link this support with their community investment programme. The partnership with NCH takes art into new areas and to wider audiences, while tapping into and developing new talent. It also enables Ernst & Young people from across the country to volunteer and take part enabling them to give something back to their local community.

Art Matters 2005 has been run in partnership with Tate Britain for the second year running and this year is linked to the Turner Whistler Monet exhibition. A programme of practical art workshops with professional artists, art education training and gallery tours have explored the themes of the three great European artists enabling young people to be inspired to create their own interpretations. By looking at the paintings, drawings and prints of Turner, Whistler and Monet, the children and young people taking part in Art Matters discovered how these artists represented the world around them, and how they explored the effect of changing environmental conditions.

The young people's artwork is currently on display at Tate Britain via a digital display in the foyer of the Manton Entrance.

For more information on NCH, the children's charity go to www.nch.org.uk.