BOLTON is set to become a breeding ground for new artistic talent in the months ahead as education experts prepare to bring culture to the community with a host of events.

And whether it is poetry, prose, painting or song, Bolton Institute is promising something for everyone who has grand designs on honing their talents in the field of the arts.

Entitled "Arts for All", the event will run over the next year with workshops across the town in a variety of disciplines, the majority of which will be free to the public.

Organised by the Institute's arts officer Laurette Evans, Arts for All includes free weekly life drawing classes, literary events, and hands on drama and music workshops.

Mrs Evans said the initial aim was to offer the range of workshops to staff and students at the Institute but all members of the community are invited.

"What we have found is that some of the events have really captured the imagination of the community and we now have more members of the public signing up for some of the classes than students or staff," she said.

The season kicks off tonight when the Institute's Art Society opens its doors to both beginners and dab-hands in painting circles for the first of a series of weekly life drawing classes.

The classes are free and will run between 5pm and 7pm each Tuesday and between 2pm and 4pm on Wednesdays at Chadwick Campus.

Literature lovers are advised to book early for the monthly Reading Group which will meet at 7pm on the first Tuesday of each month at Sweeten's Bookshop on Deansgate.

Improve

Sweeten's will also host the monthly Creative Writing Workshops run by poet Steven Blyth for writers who are looking to improve their poetry.

While poetry in motion will be on offer at the Octagon from Monday October 15 onwards with regular readings from renown writers.

First up will be poet and jazz guitar virtuoso Don Paterson whose first collection of poems, Nil, Nil, was awarded the Forward Poetry Prize.

Also appearing will be Tracey Herd, whose first collection, "No Hiding Place" was short-listed for the 1997 Forward Prize.

On Monday October 29 the Octagon will play host to Michael Donaghy and Moniza Alvi.

Born in New York, Michael Donaghy has lived in Britain since 1985 and has won numerous awards for his poetry.

While Pakistan-born Moniza Alvi has had two collections of poetry published.

Tickets are available from the Octagon Box Office 01204 520661 priced £4 and £2.

Future readings include Patience Agbabi and Owen Sheers, Carol Ann Duffy and Jackie Kay. Kathleen Jamie and Ali Smith, Beryl Bainbridge, and Andrew Motion.

The Institute's Drama Group will be hosting free workshops starting on Tuesday October 4 between 7pm and 9pm at the Eagle building on Deane Road.

There's also plenty to sing about at the Chadwick Campus with weekly choir sessions each Wednesday between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

The Institute Choir is also organising a series of Saturday morning workshops where singer and conductor, John Powell, will help singers to improve their techniques through a wide-ranging choral repertoire.

The first workshops are on the Saturday November 3 and 17 and members of the public are invited to attend but there will be a small charge.

Mrs Evans said the emphasis would be on helping people with their artistic skills but the most important thing would be to have fun.

"We are looking forward to a stimulating and enjoyable season of arts events," she said. "The list of events is already one of the most comprehensive and varied that we have put together, and we hope it will build on the interest and involvement in the arts that we have successfully created at the Institute and within the community."