Two of Bradford best-known arts figures are playing a role in a new season of TV programmes.

David Hockney appears with legendary film director Martin Scorsese and singer Jessye Norman as the mentors of a young artist in a new six-part reality series. And Buttershaw playwright Andrea Dunbar is the focus of a drama-documentary filmed on the estate where she lived.

Bradford-born Mr Hockney, regarded as the world’s greatest living artist, is one of the leading arts figures in an upcoming, as yet untitled, More4 film mentoring a young protege over a year.

Also on the digital channel is a film based on the life of Andrea Dunbar, whose play Rita, Sue and Bob Too, about two schoolgirls’ fling with a married man, was made into a 1987 film.

This new film is based on Andrea’s first play, The Arbor, which she wrote aged 15, about a pregnant teenager’s troubled relationship with her alcoholic father.

The film combines scenes with actors lip-synching to recorded interviews with Andrea’s relatives and neighbours.

Filming took place last autumn on Buttershaw estate and several residents had roles. Much of the filming was on the Arbor, the area where Andrea lived.

Bradford actress Natalie Gavin stars alongside Jimi Mistry and Danny Webb.

Andrea’s sister, Pamela, who was involved in the film, said she hoped it would show Buttershaw in a more positive light than the controversial Rita, Sue and Bob Too. “I’m pleased the producers spent time getting to know people and finding out about the place,” she said.

The announcement of the programmes comes as Channel 4 pledges to double its commissioning budget for arts programmes on its core channel to £6 million a year, as well as setting up a new arts board. The broadcaster, which increased its arts budget after deciding not to renew Big Brother after this year, said it will continue to showcase major arts documentary series.

Channel 4’s director of television and content, Kevin Lygo, said: “Channel 4 will continue to seek a distinctive approach to its arts coverage, focusing most on the vibrant contemporary arts scene in Britain today.”