Access All Arts Fund brings new opportunities to children and young people in 2025

28 January 2025

A project improving Scottish children and young people’s access to the arts has today announced that 88 awardees will receive a total of £65,095.40 in funding to progress their creative interests.

The Access All Arts Fund, managed by Children in Scotland and supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, supports young people who are experiencing barriers to accessing creative opportunities.

Funding decisions are made by a panel of children and young people, who considered a wide range of barriers to the arts, including mental health, language and cultural barriers, financial barriers, lack of access to materials or equipment, disabilities, and geographical barriers.

Now in its third year, the fund was open for applications from 19 September to 4 November 2024 and received 148 applications from children and young people aged 11 to 25. Awardees will be funded to pursue a range of arts activities, including photography, painting, music and dance.

In 2023, a survey of participants indicated that 92% of recipients experienced a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing. 82% said that receiving funding had helped them to overcome barriers to the arts.

Sophie Elliott, Policy, Projects and Participation Officer at Children in Scotland, said:

“For a third year, the Access All Arts Fund has given children and young people across Scotland increased access to creative opportunities. The panel of children and young people and staff team were delighted to learn about the creative interests of young applicants.

We look forward to hearing about how the children and young people receiving awards will progress their creative projects and activities.”

Sarah Lockhart, Youth Engagement Officer at Creative Scotland says:

“We proudly support Children in Scotland’s Access All Arts programme, a beacon for young creative minds across the nation, for the third consecutive year. In 2025, a generous funding of over £65,000 will empower 88 children and young people to explore their passions and hone their talents. Spearheaded by a dynamic youth panel, the programme ensures that young people have a voice in how the funding is allocated, making it easier for them to dive into the arts in their unique ways.”

Find out more about the Access All Arts Fund.