GRANTS of up to £2,000 are up for grabs for organisations that involve young people and the arts.

Youth Arts funding, awarded by West Midlands Arts, is available for projects that involve youngsters working with professionals.

"Youth Arts money aims to involve young people in projects of their own choosing in working with professional artists outside school or college-based education" said West Midlands Arts chief executive, Sally Luton.

"It is so rewarding to see fresh ideas come to reality and really benefit the talented young people taking part and their wider communities."

She said many funded projects involved young people tackling difficult social issues, while others gave "a real community input with lasting results for all to enjoy".

Any voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisation that wants to run an arts project involving young people, aged 12 to 24, can apply for Youth Arts Funding.

West Midlands Arts has so far awarded more than £136,000 from the Youth Arts fund.

Grants start at £150 for projects, which can be in any art form, including digital art, film, drama, dance, writing and performing original music.

The Youth Arts fund is part of the New Audiences scheme to encourage and support those who usually have few opportunities to get involved in the arts or to enable groups to explore new areas of arts work.

The closing date for applications is Monday, September 3.

Application forms are available by phoning West Midlands Arts Information Service on 0121 624 3200.