National Youth Arts Trust – access and opportunity in the arts

NURTURING FUTURE TALENT

Our bursaries, youth theatres and mentorships help talented students from the UK’s most disadvantaged backgrounds train in dance, music and drama.

The performing arts should represent their audience and be created by all of society, not just by the few. The National Youth Arts Trust aims to eradicate the inequality in the performing arts industry and to ensure a career in the Arts is accessible to all.

We are financed by your generous donations. Could you chip in now, or something each month, to give young people vital access to music, arts and drama?

Donate

Apply for funding

The deadline to apply for the next round of bursaries is 3 June 2026.

“The National Youth Arts Trust is filling a vital gap in arts education funding by working to ensure that the performing arts do not become a luxury only for children whose parents can afford it. When we look at our young artists, we should ask how much talent they have, not how much money.”

Adrian Lester OBE
Actor and NYAT Patron

Stories

"My training has been the greatest gift"

Francesca is a dynamic performer who, as well as working as a professional actor, wants to promote diversity and inclusivity in the industry. Thanks to her NYAT bursary she is able to continue her three year training programme at Guildhall.

Read the story

“It has changed my life”

We asked some of our drama school students, supported by NYAT, what a typical day at drama school is like – and particularly what student life is like during a pandemic!

Read the story