ResonATe

Help Shape the Future Creativity of Music and Sound for Young People in Scotland

Paid opportunity for practitioners working with young people

Have you supported young people to explore sound, creativity, or music in ways that respond to real barriers and lived experience? Your insight could help shape new national resources for practitioners across Scotland.

What is ResonATe?

ResonATe is a new project from An Tobar and Mull Theatre exploring how music technology and production can become more accessible, inclusive, and useful for young people.

This project is designed to complement and build on the work already happening in communities—including the vital practice led by local organisations, grassroots initiatives, and practitioners across Scotland.

We’re inviting up to 12 practitioners to take part in a series of small, paid focus groups (4 participants per group). These conversations will directly inform a set of free, practical resources for the youth music sector, including:

  • A video series

  • A digital toolkit

  • A guide to accessible music production and creative practice

These resources will be freely available to support practitioners working with children and young people across Scotland.

Who should apply?

In line with our funding priorities, we are particularly keen to hear from practitioners working with young people who face barriers to accessing creative opportunities, including those who are:

  • Based in rural, remote, or island communities

  • Living in areas of social or economic deprivation

  • Care experienced

  • Disabled or with additional support needs

This might include music teachers, youth workers, community musicians, outreach workers, artists, facilitators, or third-sector practitioners.

We are interested in a wide range of experience and approaches, including both formal and non-formal practice. We especially welcome work that reflects the realities of practice on the ground—whether that is playful, experimental, collaborative, interdisciplinary, improvised, low-tech, accessible, or still evolving.

A collaborative approach

This project is about listening, learning, and amplifying what is already working.
We are not looking to replace or replicate existing provision, but to support practitioners by sharing approaches, tools, and ideas more widely.

Focus Groups

You can apply to take part in one, two, or all three sessions:

🎧 Engagement & Accessibility
How can sound, music, and technology feel open, enjoyable, and achievable for young people in underserved contexts?

🎛 Practical Production
What low-cost, hands-on, or imaginative approaches can support young people to explore sound, recording, and production?

🎤 Collaboration & Showcasing
How can young people co-create, share their work, and build confidence through presenting what they make?

What you’ll receive

  • £285 per focus group

  • Travel expenses to Mull covered (for in-person sessions)

  • Free accommodation (for in-person sessions)

  • Credit as a named collaborator in the final resources

How to apply

We are committed to keeping the application process simple, flexible, and accessible. You can apply using:

  • Written responses

  • Voice notes

  • Short video submissions

We welcome applications in Gaelic, Scots, and Doric.

In your application, please tell us:

  • Which focus group(s) you are applying for

  • Where you work and the communities you support (max. 250 words)

  • A summary of your experience (max. 350 words)

  • The barriers, challenges, or possibilities you have encountered when supporting young people to engage with sound, creativity, or technology (max. 300 words)

Deadline 📅 31 May 2026

Send applications or queries to:
Tim Olden, Music Curator
📧 tim@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

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