Youth Music Initiative 20th Anniversary Celebration

This year, we’re celebrating 20 incredible years of the Youth Music Initiative (YMI).

The impact of YMI can be felt far and wide across Scotland, and in 2022 we’ll be shouting far and wide about the joy, resilience, community and opportunities that YMI has been helping to nurture since 2003.

Discover all the ways you can get involved in the celebrations!

Find out more about the #YMusicMatters event

YMusicMatters Keynote talks

Watch the introduction from YMI Manager Morag Macdonald, keynotes from Tinderbox musicians, and the Personal Stories and National Picture panels.

#YMusicMatters Event 2023

As part of our 20th anniversary, we're hosting a special industry event on Thursday 2 March to bring the Youth Music sector together and celebrate #YMusicMatters

Watch and share our 20th anniversary video

Download the promo pack

We’ve created a toolkit for you to use that’s packed full of key messages, images, designed graphics, and suggestions for social media posts, as well as our launch video. Support the 20th anniversary – download our toolkit and share the assets with your community.

YMI 20th Anniversary Promo Pack

Download the YMI 20th anniversary promo pack.

Follow along on social

Send us your story

Have you been involved in YMI? We’d love to hear from you so we can share your story! Whether you’ve been a participant or involved in leading a project, we want to shout far and wide about everything you’ve been doing.

Get in touch with the team: ymi@creativescotland.com

Read the latest stories

Spotlight - How YMI funding helps Scotland's brass musicians make some noise

In June's Spotlight we hear about how YMI funding has supported Scotland's young musicians to develop their skills in music - and more!

Published: 07 Jun 2022

Youth Music Initiative celebrates 20 years and incredible achievements from the past 2 decades

Launched in 2003 with the aim to break down barriers to encourage children’s talents flourish, Youth Music Initiative (YMI) funding has given children and young people across Scotland access to free music education, growing yearly participation to over 270,000 during a span of 20 years.

Published: 19 May 2022

Spotlight - Share your YMI stories

In May's Spotlight we hear from YMI Manager Morag McDonald about how you can help us celebrate 20 years of the Youth Music Initiative by sharing your stories.

Published: 09 May 2022

Spotlight - Music and maternal mental health

This month we hear from freelance musician Yvonne Wyroslawska, who was awarded Creative Scotland Open Funding to run music sessions for new mums and babies.

Published: 01 Apr 2022

Spotlight - Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion at the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland

Every month, the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) puts the spotlight on an activity or strand of work that is important to them. This month we hear from the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and its Director Steven Blake, on the organisation’s progress with their Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion goals.

Published: 07 Mar 2022