Arts Council NI funding programmes now open

New funding opportunities for Northern Ireland artists

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has opened a series of funding programmes to support local artists, organisations, and communities.

Several of them backed by the National Lottery, these grants and awards aim to boost creativity and innovation across the region. From digital art projects to rural community engagement, the funding offers resources for a wide range of activities.

Here’s a list of the current opportunities and their deadlines.

National Lottery Organisations Digital Evolution Awards

This programme is designed to upskill NI arts organisations in the use of new, emerging and immersive technology, and the creation of high-quality digital art.

National Lottery Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP)

The purpose of REAP is to provide an integrated, cohesive approach to the needs of local rural communities while recognising some specific issues they face.

National Lottery Major Individuals Awards

Four awards of up to £15,000 each are available to create the circumstances in which established artists with national/international recognition may develop extended or ambitious work. Costs can be for specific projects, specialised research, personal artistic development and materials/ equipment.

National Lottery Artists' International Development Fund

This programme supports early-stage international development opportunities for individual, freelance and self-employed artists and organisations based in Northern Ireland.

National Lottery Minority Ethnic Artists Mentoring & Residency Programme

The programme aims to create opportunities for specialised training, research, cultural exchanges, networking and learning for individual artists, creative practitioners and arts administrators from minority ethnic and migrant backgrounds.

National Lottery Project Funding for Individual Artists

Grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 are available to support the wide range of activity that can be undertaken by artists of all disciplines in relation to their practice.

Musical Instruments for Individuals

Funding is available for highly-skilled, exceptional, high-profile performing musicians working only at a professional level who seek support for purchasing high-quality instruments that are central to their performing career.

Musical Instruments for Bands

This programme aims to increase the quality of music-making in the community by helping bands to replace worn-out instruments and purchase new instruments.

Musical Instruments for Professional and Non-professional Performing Groups

Support is available for the purchase of musical instruments by groups involved in the professional and non-professional performance of music and to respond to a broad range of capital needs within the music sector in Northern Ireland.

Small Capital Grants Programme

Grants aim to support organisations across Northern Ireland to maintain their creative spaces addressing any issues that may hinder the work to take place. For example, purchase equipment and/or carry out minor works to their premises.

National Lottery Travel Awards

These awards enable individual artists and established music groups (up to two members) to travel from Northern Ireland to develop their skills and expertise.

Find out more about the Arts Council NI's funding programmes.

First published 8 August 2024