The Scottish Government backed Youth Music Initiative (YMI) has awarded a total of £1,725,756 to 61 projects across the country, supporting young people’s access to music education and industry opportunities.
The latest round of Access to Music Making and Strengthening Youth Music funding has sparked a vibrant array of projects, transforming the musical landscape for children and young people. From electrifying DJing and the pulsing beats of samba drumming to the cutting-edge world of electronic music production, the broad spectrum of initiatives are opening doors to high-quality, immersive music-making experiences.
Spanning communities across Scotland from the Highlands to Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire to Na Eileanan Siar and welcoming 11 new project recipients, these grants are offering opportunities to nearly 10,000 children and young people to participate in music-making activities, including around 4,800 through The Scottish Book Trust’s Bookbug sessions.
In Glasgow, AC Projects/Alternative Currents’ Music Space offers a nine-month bursary program for young people aged 16-25, providing mentorship, equipment loans, a residency at CCA Glasgow, and professional development in contemporary and experimental music.
AC Projects’ Creative Producer Alasdair Campbell commented: “Music Space took time to germinate but with the support of the YMI team at Creative Scotland and the Access to Making Music fund, we were able to realise our ambitions to create an initiative that would offer time, space and financial support to young people to participate in the joy of creating music. Music Space opens possibilities for young people to be a part of a wider artistic community and to access skills and knowledge which support participation and sharing in music.”
On the Isle of Skye, Còmhla Collective, a bilingual music production project led by Richy Carey, enables young artists to collaborate and produce an EP of original music written in both Gaelic and English. Participants will work together over 10 weeks, gaining hands-on experience in songwriting, recording, and production techniques.
“This project looks to address the significant lack of professional development opportunities for young musicians who live on the island. By working together and creating an interdependent musical community, we hope to provide long-lasting opportunities beyond the project itself,” Carey commented.
In Dundee, Street Soccer Group and Turn the Tables are launching a youth-led DJing and digital music project in Hannah Laing’s doof Studios. Providing free workshops, mentorship, and live performance opportunities, the project ensures participants can learn to DJ, produce music, and perform at live events, offering a pathway into Scotland’s music scene. The initiative will be run in partnership with a care-experienced young person, fostering leadership and skill development.
Kyle Fraser, Social Enterprise Manager at Change Centre Dundee (Street Soccer Group) said: “We are immensely proud to have teamed up with beloved Dundee and National icon Hannah Laing, along with our trusted and inspiring partner Turn the Tables. We feel this won’t only have a direct impact on our players and the wider community but provide Dundee with an incredible resource. Promoting transformational growth, positive experiences and empowering creativity.”
Building on previous success, The Right Track is a project expanding its electronic music production workshops for 30 young people from diverse backgrounds. Participants will gain hands-on experience using professional hardware and software, culminating in an album release and radio broadcasts, helping them break into an industry that has historically been difficult to access.
Project organiser Anna Realta shared: “I'm so grateful to have received funding from YMI to run music production workshops again. The Right Track was a huge success the first year it ran, and this time we are able to offer even more spaces on the programme. I can't wait to see (and hear) what the participants create!”
Glasgow-based Sonic Bothy continues its mission to support young people with Additional Support for Learning Needs (ASLN) and Neurodiversity, offering access to experimental music-making and creative development opportunities. The programme boosts confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging among young musicians, breaking down barriers to music-making.
“Sonic Bothy is delighted to announce that we are awarded the Creative Scotland YMI Access to Music Fund, enabling us to further our mission to inspire and empower young people with Additional Support for Learning Needs (ASLN) and Neurodiversity. This funding will allow us to widen access—to create an inclusive, supportive environment where the next generation of Disabled musicians can develop their skills, express their creativity, and flourish,” said Creative Director Atzi Muramatsu.
YMI Manager at Creative Scotland, Morag Macdonald said: “YMI’s support continues to fuel Scotland’s vibrant youth music scene, helping young people develop their musical talents, gain industry insights, and engage in meaningful creative experiences. Imagine young minds exploring the depths of sound, creating their own electronic masterpieces, or feeling the rhythm of samba drums resonate through their bodies. These projects are not just about learning music; they're about igniting passion, fostering creativity, and building a community where every young person can find their unique musical voice.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “I’m delighted that so many projects, in so many different parts of the country have been successful in applying for this year’s Youth Music Initiative’s Access and Strengthening Funds. I am continually inspired by the creative opportunities that the organisers of these projects enable for young people across Scotland, and the wider positives that come from that, such as improved confidence and wellbeing.
“I was pleased to increase our annual investment in YMI to £9.78 million annually in this year’s Budget, building on the over £150 million we have invested since 2007. At its heart, the YMI is about providing young people of all backgrounds the opportunity to enjoy music. However, its reach is far greater in bringing communities, creative professionals and young people of all ages and abilities together. I’m very grateful for the efforts of all those involved in making this worthy cause such a success.”
Background
Youth Music Initiative (YMI) fund guidance and application forms can be accessed on the Creative Scotland website.
- The Access to Music-Making fund is all about creating access to music-making opportunities outwith school time for organisations and individuals, applicants can apply for funding between £1k - £30k for projects lasting up to 12 months.
- The Strengthening Youth Music fund provides grants of between £1k - £20k for projects lasting up to 12 months which aim to improve Scotland’s youth music infrastructure and services.
YMI has two distinct strands:
- School-based music-making: activities planned and delivered by Local Authorities. Local Authorities apply to the YMI Formula Fund for this activity
- The informal sector: activities planned and delivered outwith school time. There are two informal sector funding routes: Access to Music-Making and Strengthening Youth Music. Organisations and individuals can apply to these funding routes.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery, which, now in its 30th year, has supported over 14,600 projects with more than £501.9 million in funding through Creative Scotland and its predecessor, the Scottish Arts Council. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot.
Image credits
1. Music Space, photography by Dawid Lakowski
2. Turn The Tables, photography by Cian Mckenzie
3. Sonic Bothy, photography by David Cherry
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