Deadline: 25-Aug-2025
The Youth Arts Open Fund offers support to freelance artists and organisations seeking small grants to deliver arts activities for children and young people, especially those who traditionally face barriers to accessing creative opportunities.
Projects funded through this program should engage children and young people in high-quality, inclusive arts activities. These initiatives should encourage self-expression, support health and wellbeing, promote personal growth, and help build confidence and skills.
Freelance artists can apply for up to £8,000, while organisations can apply for up to £15,000. The funded activities can run for up to 12 months, and a total of £740,000 is available through this funding round.
Eligible applicants include freelance artists, creative organisations, third sector groups, or youth work organisations. All applicants must be based in Scotland and have experience delivering free, community-based arts activities for children and young people in the country.
Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funded organisations can apply, but the project they propose must be clearly separate from their existing funded activities. Priority will be given to smaller-scale organisations to help build their capacity.
As part of the Scottish Government’s efforts to expand the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) into other art forms, music-focused projects are not eligible for funding under this scheme.
For more information, visit YouthLink Scotland.
