Deadline: 31-Dec-2026
Applications are now open for the Cultural Grant Aid and Bursaries Programme to support constituted groups and individuals within the Borough to participate in, develop, and promote cultural activities and projects. The programme aims to strengthen local cultural life by providing financial assistance for creative initiatives, heritage activities, minority language projects, and professional development opportunities.
About the Program
The Cultural Grant Aid and Bursaries Programme supports a wide range of activities that contribute to cultural development and community participation within the Borough.
The programme focuses on:
- Arts development
- Heritage promotion
- Minority language activities
- Cultural awareness initiatives
- Community cultural participation
- Creative expression
- Skills development
- Cultural learning opportunities
- Preservation of cultural assets
- Promotion of local culture
- Access to cultural experiences
- Capacity building for cultural groups
The programme seeks to encourage inclusive cultural engagement and support the growth of cultural activities within the Borough.
Program Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Support cultural participation and engagement
- Promote artistic and creative activities
- Encourage heritage preservation and awareness
- Strengthen minority language initiatives
- Develop local cultural capacity
- Support training and professional development
- Increase access to cultural opportunities
- Foster inclusive community participation
- Enhance cultural knowledge and understanding
- Encourage the production of cultural outputs
Activities should demonstrate a clear cultural benefit to the Borough.
Eligible Cultural Areas
Arts
Eligible arts activities include:
- Literature
- Dance
- Drama
- Music
- Film
- Visual arts
- Other creative disciplines
Heritage
Eligible heritage activities include:
- Monuments
- Traditions
- Landscapes
- Artefacts
- Biodiversity of cultural importance
- Intangible cultural assets
- Physical cultural assets
Minority Languages
Eligible minority language activities include:
- Non-English languages influencing local culture
- Cultural awareness work for minority communities from outside the UK and Ireland
The programme does not support:
- Irish language development
- Ulster-Scots language development
These areas are funded separately.
Funding Information
Cultural Group Grants
Constituted groups may apply for:
- Up to £1,000 for event delivery costs, including:
- Venue hire
- Facilitation costs
- Equipment hire
- Marketing expenses
- Promotion costs
- Up to £500 for cultural outputs, including:
- Exhibitions
- Publications
- Similar cultural products
- Up to £500 for:
- Training
- Course participation
- Travel expenses
- Attendance costs
Individual Bursaries
Individuals may apply for:
- Up to £500 for cultural production activities
- Up to £500 for specialist training, events, or study programmes
- Up to £250 for minority language-related activity support
Funding should be directly related to the approved activity.
Ineligible Costs
Funding cannot be used for:
- Retrospective costs
- Salary payments
- Profit-making activities
- Alcohol purchases
- Fines and penalties
- Bank charges
- Unrelated professional fees
- Projects already funded elsewhere
- Activities taking place outside the Borough
- Duplication of existing provision
- Applications submitted after an event has taken place
- Costs not directly linked to the approved project
Individuals involved in delivering funded projects cannot personally benefit through payment for goods or services funded by the grant.
Eligible Applicants
Groups
Eligible groups must:
- Be based within the Borough
- Be properly constituted
- Be democratically accountable
- Hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- Maintain a committee structure
- Have key office bearers in place
- Demonstrate fair and inclusive practices
- Comply with equality legislation
- Maintain appropriate governance arrangements
- Keep proper financial accounts
- Ensure activities do not duplicate existing provision
Individuals
Individual applicants must:
- Be resident within the Borough
- Apply for activities supporting their cultural development
- Provide evidence of attainment from the relevant course, event, or activity provider where applicable
Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed activity will contribute to their cultural development or community benefit.
Application Requirements
Applicants are expected to provide:
- Details of the proposed activity or project
- A breakdown of anticipated costs
- Evidence of eligibility
- Governance documentation for groups
- Supporting information relating to the activity
- Evidence of attainment for bursary-supported courses or activities where required
Applications should clearly explain the cultural value and expected outcomes of the proposed activity.
Expected Outcomes
Supported activities should contribute to:
- Increased cultural participation
- Enhanced creative opportunities
- Greater awareness of heritage
- Promotion of minority languages and cultures
- Improved cultural skills and knowledge
- Stronger community engagement
- Increased access to training opportunities
- Production of cultural outputs
- More inclusive cultural experiences
- Strengthened local cultural life
The programme encourages activities that create lasting cultural benefits within the Borough.
Assessment Considerations
Applications are considered based on:
- Cultural relevance of the proposed activity
- Community benefit
- Alignment with programme objectives
- Value for money
- Applicant eligibility
- Feasibility of delivery
- Evidence of need
- Quality of supporting information
- Compliance with funding requirements
Applicants should demonstrate how their activities contribute to cultural development within the Borough.
Why This Program Matters
Culture plays an important role in strengthening communities, preserving heritage, celebrating diversity, and creating opportunities for learning and participation. Supporting local groups and individuals enables communities to develop creative talent, share cultural traditions, and increase access to meaningful cultural experiences.
The Cultural Grant Aid and Bursaries Programme helps ensure that residents and organisations within the Borough can continue to develop, promote, and celebrate the rich cultural life of their communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Cultural Grant Aid and Bursaries Programme?
- Constituted groups based within the Borough and individuals who are resident within the Borough may apply, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements.
What cultural areas are supported?
- The programme supports activities in arts, heritage, and minority languages, excluding Irish and Ulster-Scots language development.
How much funding is available for cultural groups?
- Groups can apply for up to £1,000 for event delivery costs and up to £500 for cultural outputs and training-related activities.
What bursaries are available for individuals?
- Individuals may receive up to £500 for cultural production or specialist training and up to £250 for minority language-related activities.
Can funding be used to pay salaries or retrospective costs?
- No. Funding cannot be used for salaries, retrospective expenses, profit-making activities, or other ineligible costs specified by the programme.
Are activities outside the Borough eligible for support?
- No. Activities must take place within the Borough and provide local cultural benefits.
What documents may applicants need to provide?
- Applicants may need to submit governance documents, cost breakdowns, supporting information, and evidence relating to proposed activities or courses.
Conclusion
The Cultural Grant Aid and Bursaries Programme provides valuable support to local groups and individuals seeking to strengthen cultural participation, preserve heritage, promote minority languages, and develop creative skills within the Borough. Through flexible funding opportunities, the programme contributes to a vibrant, inclusive, and culturally rich community.
For more information, visit Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council.