For the first time, Tate, BT and The Royal Ballet School are working together on a unique collaboration creating pioneering interactive films to bring the arts to life for the next generation.

This autumn, Tate and BT launch two new interactive games using a ground-breaking combination of film and interactive technology. The new films enable young people everywhere to explore art in a new and innovative way. The Secret Dancer and Barbara’s Garden will be available to play on Tate Kids website from 14 September.

The Secret Dancer

Tate and BT have created an interactive film about Degas’ famous sculpture, Little Dancer (1880-1, cast circa 1922). Viewers will be able to watch as the iconic bronze sculpture springs to life after-hours at Tate Modern and pirouettes, pliés and chassés her way out of her glass case, around the gallery and into the stunning former underground oil tanks. The little dancer is played by 11 year old Charlotte Edmonds - a student at The Royal Ballet School - and choreographed by Diane van Schoor, Ballet Principle of The Royal Ballet Lower School. The array of interactive features will allow kids to play detective, hunting for the treasures she has left in the oil tanks in a race against time to find her.

Filmed on location at Tate Modern, the game will give kids an insight into the fascinating story behind the artwork and a sneak preview into the oil tanks underneath the gallery, which will be converted into performance spaces as part of the forthcoming Tate Modern extension. To coincide, Miniclip's Sketch Star and Tate Kids will run a Secret-Dancer-themed drawing competition, launching on 7 September.

Barbara’s Garden
The Barbara Hepworth interactive film offers the chance to explore the beautiful sculpture gardens of the Barbara Hepworth Museum in St Ives, brought to life online with over 150 interlinked High-Definition videos. Viewers will be able to take a closer look at stunning sculptures and a natural habitat brimming with life as they hunt for Hepworth’s artistic treasures.

These two interactive films, The Secret Dancer and Barbara’s Garden are the latest initiatives from Inspiring Futures, Tate and BT’s programme dedicated entirely to the next generation.

Martin Percy, BT

‘BT and Tate are using the medium of broadband to do fun things with film that you can't do with normal TV or cinema. These pieces give you the richness and emotional connection of film - plus the fun and flexibility of the internet or a computer game. It has been wonderful to work with Sharna Jackson, editor of Tate Kids, so closely on this project. ‘

Will Gompertz, Director, Tate Media

‘Tate is delighted to be working with BT to create these exciting interactive films. New technologies provide an additional dimension which enables us to fulfil our public mission. With ambitious projects like this we are able to build on the success of Tate Kids, creating inspiring and innovative content online for young audiences.’

BT has been the online partner of Tate since 2001, and has provided web hosting, streaming and creative design including interactive video delivery, to help Tate Online achieve its aim of making art more accessible and inspiring to all via the internet. The work is delivered in-house by BT which works closely with Tate to develop the possibilities of broadband to create highly innovative designs, interfaces and interactive videos for future audiences of Tate. Tate Kids is a dedicated website within Tate Online for children between 6-12 years. This year Tate Kids won a Webby Award for best youth website.

For press information please contact Selina Jones/ Daisy Mallabar, Tate Press Office, Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG. Call 020 7887 4906/8731 Email pressoffice@tate.org.uk