Scottish Culture Secretary has confirmed £9.5 million
funding for Scotland’s flagship Youth Music Initiative (YMI) this
year. This includes £500,000 which has been ringfenced to deliver
on the commitment to expand the YMI model into other art forms.
YMI funding enables schools and other organisations to provide
quality music-making activities for children and young people,
which range from after-school drum bands to courses in sound
production.
More than 362,000 children and young people took part in
YMI-funded projects under the 2021-22 programme, the majority of
those in high-deprivation areas. The funding also supported 1,182
music education posts across all of Scotland’s 32 local
authorities.
Mr Robertson marked the funding award with a visit to Murrayburn
Primary School in Sighthill, Edinburgh, where he met pupils who
have benefitted from the programme, which is administered by
Creative Scotland.
The Culture Secretary said:
“Music plays a vitally important role in young people’s lives,
and beyond developing their wider skills and learning we know
these kinds of activities also have a huge positive impact on
their confidence and wellbeing.
“We are committed to ensuring every school pupil in Scotland can
access a year of free music tuition by the time they leave
primary school through the YMI, no matter their background. YMI
is focused on creating opportunities for groups of children and
young people who may not otherwise have the chance to participate
in cultural activity.
“This year’s funding takes our investment in this programme to
more than £150 million since 2007, to enable free music tuition
for hundreds of thousands of young people, and support thousands
of music sector jobs across the country.”
Morag Macdonald, YMI Manager said:
“With ongoing support from the Scottish Government, the YMI
allows local authorities to deliver programmes like this across
Scotland ensuring that children and young people with additional
support needs have opportunities to experience the joy and
excitement that comes with making music.”
