'A CHILD could do better.' No doubt you've thought, or heard, that old nutshell. In some cases the joke is borne out - especially given the cool, calculating world of contemporary art, its overblown egos, its prissy vanities, its self-important twaddle.

But. Here is a show that really teases out whether a child could do better than the so-called pros. For Step Up is a multiple discipline 'school arts festival'.

The Great Northern Warehouse is the key venue. For the full quota of festival dates it hosts a massive group show of miscellaneous art from North West schools' and things have moved on from pencil and paper.

One fledging artist here, for example, is 15 year-old computer artist, Emma Wyre. Though derivative, her pieces wouldn't look out of place in, say, a Gorillaz video.

Also, with Blue Peter-enthusiasm, two Guinness World Record attempts are being made: the largest 'sand painting' and the largest photography exhibition. So these clued-up kids have sussed how to draw wider attention (i.e. the general public beyond the art crowd). Self-obsessed pros take note.

Elsewhere, Urbis hosts an installation by Abraham Moss School pupils: a vision of an ideal city. The Big Screen (Exchange Sq) will show film pieces between July 4 - 8 (9am; 12, 2, 5pm). And Bridgewater Hall hosts another group show, July 4 - 10.

Step Up is on at various venues across the city from Friday, July 1 until Sunday, July 10. Tweet