A new Youth Arts Open Fund has been launched, worth almost half a million pounds, that will support children and young people living in poverty and those who face significant barriers to opportunity.
The Youth Arts Open Fund is part of Creative Scotland’s wider support for children and young people and is administered by YouthLink Scotland (the national agency for youth work in Scotland). 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 – primarily 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 mental health and wellbeing and that builds their confidence and skills.
Freelance artists can apply for funding up to £8k and organisations can apply for funding of up to £15k, to deliver up to 12 months of arts activity, and there is a total of £460k available.
Who can apply
Awards from the fund will be made to freelance artists or to creative, 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. Organisations currently in receipt of Creative Scotland funding for projects with and for children and young people must demonstrate how the proposed activity is additional to your existing funding agreement and how the activity enhances current and future plans. This fund is not open to private/commercial businesses.
Timeline:
3 May 2023 – Fund Opens for applicants
5 June 2023 – Deadline to submit applications
6 June – 3 July 2023 – Assessments
10 July 2023 – National panel meets
17 July 2023 – Outcome of panel decision emailed to applicants
1 August 2023 – 31 July 2024 – All proposed activities must take place
1 September 2024 – Deadline for final reports
For further information, please contact dtobin@youthlink.scot or visit https://www.youthlink.scot/national-grant-programmes/youth-arts-open-fund/
