Our Story
How we started
Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of Scotland's leading creative organisations united to establish the Children's and Youth Arts Advocacy (CYAA) group.
Background
Children's and Youth Arts Advocacy (CYAA) was established in July 2020 as an informal advisory group, initiated by Creative Scotland. Initially known as the Arts in Education Recovery Group (AiERG), it brought together various national and specialised youth arts organisations from different sectors and art forms.
The primary objective was to provide guidance to the Scottish Government regarding the role of arts organisations and artists in the recovery of education following the impact of COVID.
We worked collaboratively as AiERG to champion the distinct qualities of the arts, culture, and creativity in making a significant difference to the recovery and renewal of children and young people's learning, mental health, and well-being as they emerged from the pandemic.
Our role and objectives have expanded beyond COVID recovery to encompass the diverse range of settings in which children and young people in Scotland engage with learning, arts, and culture. In September 2022, it was decided that a new name, Children's and Youth Arts Advocacy (CYAA), would better reflect the group's renewed focus.
Our Purpose
"To collectively influence and advocate for all children and young people in Scotland to access their right to arts which are inclusive, diverse, and transformative."
CYAA now stands at the forefront of championing the rights of every child and young person in Scotland to access the transformative power of the arts. Our membership has a shared vision to amplify the call for equitable access, influence policy, and lead Scotland's formal and informal educators to quality training and resources to support their role.
Our Values
Leadership: We advocate for and influence transformational change.
Ambition: We use our collective passion to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people in Scotland.
Generosity: We work collaboratively with open minds to share and develop learning and knowledge.
Integrity: We advance equality and diversity through our collective strengths and challenges.
Curiosity: We look to other sectors and stakeholders to inform our thinking.
Equalities, Diversity, and Inclusion
CYAA respects and promotes the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and artistic life and encourages the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity.
Image Credits
Header image: Lipsync battle at Youth Theatre Arts Scotland’s National Festival of Youth Theatre campsite in July 2022 c. Andy Catlin. Background image: NYDCS in Estonia 2023 via YDance. Our Purpose image: National Youth Choir of Scotland. Our Values image: Still from Starcatchers and SUPERFAN show, Little Top, a performance for babies birth – 18 months c. Brian Hartley. Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion image: National Youth Choir of Scotland. (Images are not displayed on all device versions.)
