The formation of the Creative Youth Partnerships (CYP) in 2004, as a pilot initiative over a three-year period, had as a central aim the further development of youth arts by increasing access to, and participation in, the arts by young people throughout Northern Ireland. It was part of the response to the ‘Unlocking Creativity’ initiative by four government departments – the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), the Department of Education (DE), the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry (DETI) - in which the arts, and the transference of those skills developed through participating in the arts, would serve as a means of making Northern Ireland a more creative and dynamic region. The CYP programme receives funding of £750,000 from DCAL, £300,000 from DE and £500,000 from Lottery funding.

CYP is a collaborative initiative between the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) and the five Education and Library Boards (ELBs). There is a CYP development officer in each of the ELBs, managed by an officer from the Creative and Expressive section of the Curriculum Advisory and Support Service (CASS). The officers work closely with a regional steering group and local programming boards to increase participation and build community arts partnerships within and across schools, colleges, youth clubs and youth and community groups. The ELBs have provided offices and resources for the CYP officers