BURSARIES

WE SUPPORT HUNDREDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM LOWER-INCOME BACKGROUNDS TO TAKE PART IN OUR ADVANCED PERFORMANCE TRAINING.

NYAW BURSARY FUND AND FEE WAIVERS

National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) has been awarded an Arts Scholarship grant of £165,448 from the Leverhulme Trust, which will support hundreds of young people from lower-income backgrounds to take part in our advanced performance training.

The funding will allow NYAW to substantially expand its current programme of bursaries and development programmes over the next four years, benefitting 240 young people each year by 2024-25.

National Youth Arts Wales is committed to working towards a more equitable arts sector for young performers, and part of this includes working to remove financial barriers to auditioning or becoming a member of our National Ensembles.

Through a combination of NYAW’s own bursary fund, the Leverhulme Trust, the Neil and Mary Ellen Webber Bursary Fund and contributions from Individual Giving, financial support can be offered to NYAW Members who may have difficulty paying the full cost of the Membership or our Audition fee. This can range from 10% to 100% reduction in fees, as well as support with travel costs and other expenses. Bursaries for National Youth Orchestra of Wales members are generously supported by The Friends of National Youth Orchestra Wales.

Awards are means tested but we want to make this process as easy and accessible as possible. You can find more details about how to apply below.

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AUDITION FEE SUPPORT

How much are auditions?

In line with many other similar organisations, National Youth Arts Wales charges a nominal fee for our auditions. This does not cover the full cost of running auditions and workshops but does support the administration costs for 500 young people across Wales each year.

  • In-person audition fee: £25

  • Online audition fee: £20

What support can I get?

If you are not in a position to afford the full audition fee for any reason National Youth Arts Wales offers a full fee waiver, so you pay nothing to audition. We can also offer bespoke support, for example to contribute towards travel costs.

How do I get support?

You just need to let us know on your audition application form what level of support you require. If you require a fee waiver, you can select this option on the form and your fee will be waived automatically – no questions asked. If you need any other form of support, you can email us at nyaw@nyaw.org.uk and a member of the team will be in touch.

MEMBER FEE: FULL FEE WAIVER

What does it cover?

A full fee waiver for NYAW membership means you don’t pay anything towards your annual membership. This includes masterclasses with industry professionals, week-long residency accommodation and meals, social activities, welfare support, rehearsals and direction from leading artists, tutors, conductors and choreographers, plus performances across Wales’ arts venues.

You will automatically qualify for a full fee waiver if you identify with one of the below criteria:

  • Those living in a household claiming Universal Credit

  • Members under 18 who are eligible for Free School Meals

  • Members who are full time carers for a close family member, including single parents

  • Care-experienced members (for example, someone who has at some point lived with foster carers, or been looked after by a local authority)

  • Members who are currently seeking asylum in the UK

  • Members receiving a full Welsh Government Learning Grant

How do I apply?

Any member who has been offered a place on a National Youth Arts Wales Ensemble and identifies with any of the above six categories can apply for a full waiver, so you can accept your place without having to worry about additional costs. If you are successful at audition stage, we will send you a link to a simple online form to automatically confirm your full fee waiver.

MEMBER FEE: BURSARY SUPPORT

What does it cover?

National Youth Arts Wales Membership varies from ensemble to ensemble, and we will be able to publish full fees later in the year. All fees include masterclasses with industry professionals, week-long residency accommodation and meals, social activities, welfare support, rehearsals and direction from leading artists, tutors, conductors and choreographers, plus performances across Wales’ arts venues.

If you do not qualify for an automatic fee waiver, but your annual household income is below £70,000 per year, you may still be eligible for a partial bursary.

Household Income (per year):

  • £0k to £25k - Automatic Fee Waiver

  • £25k+ to £30k - 95% discount

  • £30k+ to £35k - 90% discount

  • £35k+ to £40k - 80% discount

  • £40k+ to £45k - 70% discount

  • £45k+ to £50k - 60% discount

  • £50k+ to £55k - 50% discount

  • £55k+ to £60k - 35% discount

  • £60k+ to £65k - 20% discount

  • £65k+ to £70k - 10% discount

How do I apply?

Any member who has been offered a place on a National Youth Arts Wales Ensemble and has a household income below £70,000 can apply for bursary support. If you are successful at audition stage, we will send you a link to complete a simple online application form.