Image credit: Findhorn Bay Arts

Today, Thursday 29 July, applications open for £1.2million of Scottish Government funding through Creative Scotland to support out of school hours music making activities for children and young people across the country.

The Youth Music Initiative’s (YMI) Access to Music Making and Strengthening Youth Music Funds open at 12noon today with a deadline of 12noon, Monday 6 September 2021. Interested applicants are invited to find out more about the funds by booking a space to attend workshops hosted by Creative Scotland on Wednesday 11 August 2021 (see below for links).

The opening of the new funds coincides with the publication of the 2021-22 YMI Annual Plan which sets out the YMI’s ongoing priorities for the sector’s Covid-19 recovery. As part of this work, Creative Scotland will be working with Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG) partners to develop its Covid-19 recovery plan for music education, supporting the implementation of recommendations of MEPG’s May 2021 Music Manifesto for Scotland.

Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “We know that taking part in music activity gives young people new skills, improves wellbeing and boosts confidence, so I am delighted that this funding will support projects to increase access to high quality music-making for many young people who might otherwise not access these opportunities.

“Alongside our commitment for every child to receive a year’s music tuition before leaving primary school, this funding will help to improve and enrich the lives of children and young people across Scotland.”

With latest figures evidencing the significant and positive impact of the Youth Music Initiative - reaching over 244,000 young people in 2018/19 and supporting nearly 1,200 jobs and 6,000 volunteering, training and development opportunities – the new £1.2m YMI funds will ensure continuing access to activities covering all musical genres.

Speaking of their experience of delivering music classes with Aberdeen Performing Arts, a Creative Assistant said: “I’ve really learned a lot from working as Creative Assistant in the music classes at Aberdeen Performing Arts. It’s been so interesting working with children of all ages - from babies, right up to teenagers in Project Band.  It’s rare to find such practical, hands-on experience in working with participants in music making. This post has been a massive help to my career, and I love being part of the team!”

On taking part in Findhorn Bay Arts online Covid friendly YMI funded project REMIX, which was designed for young Moray music-makers between 12 and 21 years of age, one participant commented on the value of taking part and connecting with others through music: “I felt that having the weekly sessions were great as it gave a sense of community. That despite everything that was going on there was still somewhere I'd feel welcomed.”  Another noted: “It helped me re-connect to the outside world and learn new things about the subject I love. I met new people and made new friends too! It was a chance to talk to people and engage in a level of sociality that I had not done in a long while.”

Commenting on how the new funding announced today will help to continue this work, Morag Macdonald, Creative Scotland’s YMI Manager said:  “We’re looking forward to receiving applications from individuals, groups and organisations across Scotland who can deliver projects covering all musical genres and age groups, encompassing group tuition, performance opportunities and digital music making, either face to face or digitally.

“Through one off sessions to year-long programmes, we’re looking to support projects that create opportunities for children and young people to feel heard, channel their creativity, and to help shape the activities that they take part in as we begin to recover from the pandemic.”