We are delighted to announce that the Youth Arts Open Fund is open for applications. This fund aims to support freelance artists or organisations seeking small amounts of funding so that they can deliver arts activity for children and young people. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 21st July.
Artists, youth organisations and community groups across Scotland are being invited to apply for a share of £758,000 through the latest round of the Youth Arts Open Fund, supporting youth-led arts projects for children and young people who face barriers to accessing creative opportunities.
Administered by YouthLink Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland’s wider support for children and young people, the fund supports free, high-quality, community-based arts activity delivered over a period of up to 12 months.
The fund is open to freelance artists seeking grants of up to £10,000 and organisations seeking grants of up to £20,000. Projects must be youth-led and designed to engage children and young people in creative experiences that build confidence, develop skills, improve wellbeing and strengthen connections with their communities.
Particular priority will be given to projects supporting children and young people who have traditionally found it harder to access arts opportunities, including those affected by poverty, disability, care experience, poor mental health, social isolation, homelessness and other forms of disadvantage.
The Youth Arts Open Fund supports activity across a wide range of artforms and creative disciplines, helping children and young people to express themselves, develop new skills and explore issues that matter to them through creativity. Successful projects will be expected to demonstrate how young people have shaped the design of the activity and how they will continue to influence decisions throughout delivery.
The fund is expected to support dozens of projects across Scotland, reaching thousands of children and young people through visual arts, theatre, dance, digital media, crafts, film and other creative activity.
A defining feature of the Youth Arts Open Fund is its commitment to youth voice. Applications will initially be assessed by Creative Scotland before being considered by a trained panel of young people, who will make the final funding decisions. This approach helps ensure investment is directed towards projects that reflect the interests, experiences and aspirations of children and young people themselves.
Jane Dailly, National Youth Work Funding Manager at YouthLink Scotland, said:
“Every year we see applications from artists and organisations with brilliant ideas for working alongside children and young people. What we’re looking for are projects that start with young people’s interests, experiences and ambitions, rather than asking them to fit into a pre-designed programme.”
“The fund is particularly focused on reaching children and young people who might not otherwise get the chance to take part in arts activity. Whether that’s because of geography, poverty, disability, care experience or other barriers, we want to support projects that open doors and create opportunities.”
Colin Bradie, Head of Creative Learning and Young People at Creative Scotland said:
“Scotland’s artists and creative organisations do extraordinary work with children and young people, often in places and communities where access to the arts can be limited. This fund helps make that work possible.”
“The Youth Panel making the final funding decisions means they are setting the direction of access to arts activity for children and young people across Scotland, and, this year, increased grant limits are available to ensure the continued high quality of successful projects and their impact.
“We’re looking to support youth-led arts-based projects to enable children and young people to express themselves, build relationships, develop skills and discover new possibilities.”
Online applicant support sessions are available on the dates below.
To book a place, please contact: Jane Dailly, National Grants Manager, YouthLink Scotland.
All applications must be submitted by no later than 5pm on 21st of July.