Covid-19 (Support for Youth Theatre)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 25 November 2020.

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Photo of Elizabeth Smith Elizabeth Smith Conservative

1. To ask the Scottish Government what measures are being put in place to support youth theatre during the Covid-19 pandemic. (S5O-04777)

Photo of Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party

Youth theatre has been supported through our wider culture funding and through our targeted funding for youth music and arts, which is delivered by Creative Scotland. The targeted youth arts fund is supporting Youth Theatre Arts Scotland, Scottish Youth Theatre and Toonspeak Young People’s Theatre. Youth theatre organisations will also benefit from the other youth arts funds.

Scottish Youth Theatre, PACE in Paisley and Shazam in Aberdeen have received funding from the culture organisations and venues recovery fund, and youth theatre freelancers have been supported through the hardship fund for creative freelancers.

Photo of Elizabeth Smith Elizabeth Smith Conservative

I have here a letter from my constituent that I received last week. Her children have been attending Perth Youth Theatre for the best part of 10 years. She points out that, because of the restrictions in theatres, the youth group has not been able to function, although activities for under-18s such as dance classes, brownies and cubs have all been taking place in a socially distanced way. Perth Youth Theatre activities have not been taking place, despite the fact that the theatre has a lot of wide space.

Is the Scottish Government giving any thought to how it can be consistent on indoor activities for people aged under 18, particularly as we approach the winter?

Photo of Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party

Clearly, youth arts and youth theatre are very important to young people. We have performing arts guidance and there is guidance for young people in such places as the member references. There is definitely an issue about what can be done in the performing arts by any amateur organisation, especially at this time, given the strategic framework levels.

We are acutely aware of the need to return to such performances and other youth arts activities. I am very conscious of that and we will try to move forward as quickly as we can, but safety has to be paramount.

Photo of Sandra White Sandra White Scottish National Party

The cabinet secretary mentioned targeted funding. Music-making activity is very important for young people. Can the cabinet secretary give an update on the funding that is being provided to enable young people to take part in music-making activities? Is that part of the targeted funding?

Photo of Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party

The £3 million youth arts fund, which was announced in August, has a strong focus on access to music-making activities. On 12 November, we announced the projects that had been successful in applying to the youth arts fund. For example, £580,000 is going to music projects across 11 organisations, such as the National Youth Choir of Scotland and the Scottish Music Centre. Another example is Drake Music Scotland, which does fantastic work with young people with disabilities and additional needs. Creative Scotland will announce successful recipients of the small grants scheme and the open access fund in due course. All those things are part of how we are trying to help youth arts through this difficult period.