The Youth Arts Open Fund is administered by YouthLink Scotland (the national agency for youth work in Scotland) and is part of Creative Scotland’s wider support for children and young people, funded by the Scottish Government. The purpose of the Youth Arts Open Fund is to support freelance artists or organisations seeking small amounts of funding so that they can deliver arts activity for children and young people, prioritising those who have traditionally found it hardest to access such opportunities.
Funded projects are expected to engage children and young people in high-quality and accessible arts activity that empowers them through self-expression, enhances their health, wellbeing and personal development, and builds their confidence and skills.
Freelance artists can apply for funding up to £10k and organisations can apply for funding of up to £20k, to deliver up to 12 months of arts activity, and there is a total of £758k available.
Who can apply
Awards from the fund will be made to freelance artists or to creative, not-for-profit third sector or youth work organisations. Applicants must be based in Scotland, experienced in working with children and young people and supporting the delivery of FREE community-based arts activities for children and young people living in Scotland.
Creative Scotland “Multi-Year Funded” organisations are eligible to apply, but any proposed project must be separate and distinct from their existing Creative Scotland-funded activity. However, the fund aims to build capacity among smaller-scale organisations, and applications from these organisations will be prioritised.
As the Youth Arts Open Fund is part of the Scottish Governments commitment to expand the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) to other art forms we cannot fund music projects via this fund. Music could make up part of a wider arts offer, but it cannot be the prominent or sole focus of your proposal. The YMI Access to Music Making Fund is currently providing opportunity for music-based projects (Youth Music Initiative Funding | Creative Scotland).
Timeline
- Fund opens 9th June 2026
- Deadline for applications 21 July 2026
- Creative Scotland assessment period 27 July – 21st August
- Youth Panel assessment period 23 August – end of October 2026
- Decisions communicated to applicants early November 2026
- Project delivery November 2026 – November 2027
- Project reports due one month after individual project finish date
Applicant information sessions
Online applicant support sessions are available on the dates below.
To book a place, please contact: Jane Dailly, National Grants Manager, YouthLink Scotland jdailly@youthlink.scot
- Thursday 11 June: 10-10.30am
- Thursday 11 June: 12.30-1pm
- Monday 15 June: 10-10.30am
- Monday 15 June: 2-2.30pm
- Thursday 18 June: 11-11.30am
- Thursday 18 June: 2-2.30pm