A hundred schools from across England’s North West united in Manchester earlier this month to recognise and celebrate their commitment to the arts. In a special Artsmark Award ceremony on July 8, Arts Council England celebrated schools that have developed a nationally recognised range of arts provisions for their students. 'The Artsmark award symbolises the importance of the arts in education,' said Arts Council England North West Executive Director, Michael Eakin. 'It rewards excellence, endorses good practice and demonstrates that schools are concerned not only with academic success but also with wider development of young people.' Artsmark awards are offered annually. For further information on the Arts Council of England, CLICK HERE.