4 August 2026

Exam results in Scotland: Navigating your next steps

Across Scotland, thousands of young people are opening their exam results and thinking about what comes next. If your ambitions lie in music, visual art, theatre, dance, or any other creative field, but you’re facing financial barriers to pursuing your passion, the Dewar Arts Awards is here to help.

Our awards were established to honour the memory of Donald Dewar, Scotland’s first First Minister, celebrating his deep love of the arts and his vision for the country’s cultural future. Over the last two decades, we have seen first-hand how timely support can transform an artist’s trajectory. Since 2001, the Donald Dewar Awards have provided over £6.7 million in funding to support more than 1,300 talented young Scottish artists in achieving their ambitions.

Building a career in the arts takes commitment, hard work and, often, financial support. Whether it’s paying for specialist training, buying equipment, or travelling for opportunities, the costs can quickly become a barrier for people from working class backgrounds. We believe that financial circumstances shouldn’t stand in the way of artistic talent.

Could we help you?

If you’re a young creative planning what comes next – whether you’ve just finished school, are leaving college, or are ready to develop your practice further – we’re here to help.

• Who can apply? Talented young people under 30 who live or work in Scotland.
• What can we fund? Training, education, equipment, travel, creative projects, and other costs that support your artistic development.
• When can you apply? Applications are open all year round, so you don’t have to wait for a specific funding window.

Find out more about who can apply, read stories from previous award recipients, or start your application at dewarawards.org/apply