The Scottish Government's Youth Music Initiative (YMI) has allocated £1,725,756 to 61 projects across Scotland, aiming to broaden access to music education and industry opportunities for young people. The funding supports a diverse range of musical activities, from samba drumming to electronic music production.
Nearly 10,000 children and young adults will benefit from the Access and Strengthening Youth Music funding. In Glasgow, AC Projects' Music Space offers bursaries for individuals aged 16-25, providing professional development in contemporary and experimental music. Dundee's Street Soccer Group and Turn The Tables are launching a youth-led digital music project at DJ Hannah Laing's doof Studios, focusing on DJing, music production, and live performance skills.
The funding also supports Gaelic language and rural initiatives. The Còmhla Collective on the Isle of Skye provides a 10-week bilingual music production project, enabling artists to collaborate and produce an EP in both Gaelic and English, addressing the lack of professional development for young musicians in the area.