Famous names from the world of the arts have gone back to school to inspire tomorrow's artists.

Cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber, photographer Sam Taylor Wood, dancer Wayne Sleep, sculptor Anish Kapoor and Changing Rooms designer Linda Barker are among 1,500 artists taking part in the Big Arts Week.

Linda Barker made a mural with pupils in Forest Hill, London

The Royal Shakespeare Company has also volunteered its services for the week.

The aim is to get young people thinking creatively and to get them involved in creative activities.

Among other things pupils have been designing a house suitable for the Beckhams, building adventure playgrounds, making papier-m�ch� swans, designing collages and taking part in dance workshops.

"All artists are inspired by a significant other - usually another artist, sometimes a teacher - someone who makes an impression, who makes the world a little bit bigger, maybe for the first time," said sculptor Antony Gormley.

Sam Taylor Wood has been creating a collage of digital photos

"The aim of The Big Arts Week is to ensure as many young people as possible get this opportunity," he said.

"When I was at school a composer came in to talk to us about making music... although we thought it all a bit strange and giggled, it was actually a very inspiring, pivotal moment," said pianist Joanna MacGregor.

The week of activities was the brainchild of William Sieghart from the Forward Arts Foundation.

The idea won the support of the national volunteering charity TimeBank.

The charity has matched volunteer artists to schools by postcode and has given them ideas on how best to inspire the children.