Deadline: 25-Sep-2025
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is accepting applications for the Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP) to support arts projects that address the needs of rural communities, with the aim of combatting isolation and loneliness, promoting social inclusion, and improving equality of access and opportunity to arts provision across all Section 75 groups, encouraging greater participation in the arts within all communities.
Projects should demonstrate how they would target participants from rural areas and must meet one or more of the following strategic themes: Isolation and Loneliness – providing opportunities for social interaction through the arts and working with communities to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness; and/or Social Inclusion – combating social exclusion through the arts by promoting inclusion and sharing, improving equality of access and opportunity to arts provision across all Section 75 groups, working to create a more peaceful, fair, and inclusive community that does not discriminate against anyone, and providing opportunities to participate in activities which may help improve physical, mental, and social wellbeing.
Applications are welcome from a wide range of legally constituted organisations, including registered charities, local authorities, arts organisations, formally constituted parent-teacher associations, and groups of organisations working together to deliver specific projects. Organisations based outside Northern Ireland may also apply, provided the project benefits people living in eligible rural areas. Funding awards range from £500 to £10,000 for projects lasting up to one year, to be delivered between 1 December 2025 and 30 November 2026.
Eligible costs can include artist and tutor fees, transport, materials, venue hire, accessibility expenses, equipment (up to 50% of the requested amount), volunteer expenses, publicity, and evaluation. Projects must be delivered in rural areas as defined by the NISRA settlement classification, specifically Bands D to H. Applicants must demonstrate partnership working and provide all mandatory enclosures, including a constitution, detailed budget, CVs of proposed artists/tutors, and signed partner letters.
For more information, visit Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
