according to organ`isers, with a whole week of singing, dancing and theatre, topped off with a highlight show scheduled for this Saturday.

This is the first year that Spring into the Arts had a theme, which is: `Literacy in the Arts'.

The show first began in 1996, when the Chief Education Officer requested the promotion of the arts in all government schools.

It was first held at the Bermuda Society of Arts Gallery in Hamilton, under the patronage of then Education Minister Jerome Dill and his wife.

This year Premier Jennifer Smith will be giving her patronage to the show.

The objective of the first event still holds true this year -- to promote the exceptional talent that exists in Bermuda schools, encourage greater participation in the arts and to bring the artistic community together.

In the beginning all government schools were encouraged to present a ten minute presentation of dance, music, drama, story telling or poetry and visual art work from students of all ages was displayed at each venue.

Each event showcased community performing artists. In past years audiences have been entertained by the United Dancers, The Mandela Freedom Drummers, The Scottish Highland Dancers, Ms Shirnette Caines and gombey troupes from across the Island.

Spring into the Arts also gives arts organisations the opportunity to explain what their organisations are about and award memberships to students.

Teachers as artists were also given the opportunity to strut their stuff in the event.

The Teachers Jazz Band, made up of accomplished musicians entertain the crowds each year.

After the first year it was decided to take Spring into the Arts to the schools so that a larger audience could enjoy the shows.

The schools were divided up into five regional families, hosted by the five government Middle schools, with private schools also being assigned to one of the families. In later years senior schools and Bermuda College presentations were added to the mix.

This year the families and venues are as follows: Clearwater family of schools performing at Clearwater Middle School, Whitney family of schools at Whitney Institute, Dellwood family of schools at CedarBridge Academy, Spice Valley family of schools at Spice Valley Middle School, and Sandys family of schools at Sandys Secondary School.

This year a special performance will be held in Bernard Park on the final day of the event, this Saturday, April 16 at 2.30 p.m., to showcase various performances which have been acted out throughout the week at each venue.