NYOS supports young people’s right to access the arts

New pledge launched to highlight the need for more children and young people to have access to the arts.

Today, NYOS joins CYAA, Children’s and Youth Arts Advocacy, to launch a powerful new pledge to ensure every child and young person in Scotland can access inclusive, diverse and transformation arts experiences.

Despite Scotland’s rich cultural landscape, significant numbers of babies, children and young people across Scotland still lack opportunities to engage with the arts, missing out on significant benefits to their confidence, skills and emotional wellbeing. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), now incorporated into Scottish law, recognises access to cultural and artistic activities as a fundamental right for all children.

NYOS is part of CYAA, a coalition of leading arts organisations in Scotland dedicated to advocating for children's and youth arts. Its members include national arts agencies, government bodies, educators and community groups, all working together to promote and safeguard the right of young people to engage in the arts.

Arts organisations across Scotland have long provided life-changing experiences for young people, yet these opportunities are under threat without greater recognition and funding. The CYAA Pledge calls for a collective effort to safeguard these essential services, emphasising that arts engagement is not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports mental health, educational outcomes and the ability to overcome socio-economic challenges.

Without increased support and recognition, the valuable contributions of arts organisations risk being diminished. The CYAA Pledge aims to prevent this by rallying public and governmental backing to maintain and expand arts access. This initiative highlights the potential costs of inaction, through which young people may lose out on vital developmental opportunities.

We invite everyone—children, parents, educators, arts organisations, youth workers and community members—to join us in advocating for children's right to access the arts. By signing the CYAA Pledge, you lend your voice to a powerful collective that will engage with key decision-makers, including the Scottish Government, Creative Scotland and Education Scotland, to push for policy changes and resource allocations that uphold and expand arts access for all children. Together, we can ensure Scotland’s children and young people have the opportunity to thrive through the arts.

Sign the pledge today and help us make a difference.

To sign the Pledge and for more information, visit: www.cyaa.scot/pledge