Through the Creative Scotland Youth Arts Small Grant Fund we will be distributing £15,000 directly to freelance artists to create bespoke, quality creative projects for young people (aged 3-21) from across Renfrewshire. Artists are asked to propose work with a focus on positive mental wellbeing that allows young people to explore and process what has happened in their lives over the last year as well as looking to the future of what their world may look in the years ahead.  

Artists are encouraged to submit proposals for projects that help young people – particularly those who have been negatively impacted by the crisis – to help find creative responses to these events and their consequences as we look to the future. This can be done using different art forms including drama, music, dance, film, creative writing and visual art and through a variety of in-person or digital sessions. The aim is to provide artist–led projects within our community and inspiring creative spaces for young people, allowing them to connect, talk, process, reflect or understand what has happened in an age-appropriate, engaging, fun and meaningful way. The prompt should act as a catalyst, but the design and direction of the project should ultimately be led by the artist and the young people they work with.  

 At the end of the process, PACE will combine evidence of work created by the artists in an online gallery website to showcase the journey of these projects and to celebrate the work that is created, giving a unique insight into the experiences of young people across Renfrewshire at this monumental time of global change while creating a lasting resource that can document their experiences for other young people and for generations to come. 

PACE will also provide additional support sessions, training and networking events for funded artists.

Who can you work with?

The project is open for artists to work with schools, existing groups or groups that are formed for the purposes of the project. Renfrewshire has a rich creative scene with a number of youth arts organisations and community groups who work with young people across Paisley and Renfrewshire. We welcome proposals from artists with established relationships with groups who may wish to further develop the relationship through a new project. You may also wish to approach a group that you have a not previously worked with if you believe that your proposal is a good fit for them and the young people they work with. Finally if you have an idea for a project but are unclear about which young people may benefit from your project proposal then please contact us and we can talk through options that may work for you.

Who can apply and how much can you apply for?

This fund is open to freelance artists and creative practitioners living and working in Scotland looking to work directly with children and young people. All projects must benefit the young people of Renfrewshire.  Applications from artists based in Renfrewshire will be prioritised, followed by those from neighbouring local authorities. Priority will be given to artists with a successful history of delivering high quality arts projects to young people.

The fund is not open to applications from organisations, local authorities, groups or clubs. The overall budget for this fund is £15,000. Applicants can apply for between £750 – £3,000 to prepare and deliver projects and attend networking and training events. All projects must be completed by the end of February 2022.  

Please download and read the guidance document before you apply.