About Us

The History of Promote YT

In July 2001, Scottish Arts Council Drama Department commissioned a Review of Youth Theatre (Bonnar Keenlyside, pub. July 2003).

The review identified over 300 youth theatres in existence in Scotland, around 8,000 young people taking part in youth theatre every week and a strong demand for an organisation which would provide a national network and resource, respond to issues/gaps in provision and facilitate development.

In response to these findings an informal group of youth theatre practitioners (from the Scottish Borders to Shetland) submitted a successful proposal to Scottish Arts Council Drama Department to run a seminar where youth theatre participants and practitioners could meet, exchange and decide on the role and nature of an umbrella organisation for youth theatre in Scotland.

The findings of consultations with young people and youth theatre practitioners carried out at the Inaugural Youth Theatre Seminar on November 2003 in Aberdeen, formed the basis of Promote YT’s objectives and key activities.

Promote YT (Scotland) was incorporated on the 29 June 2004 and has been supported annually by the Scottish Arts Council.