Deadline: 30-Jul-2026
The Support for Individual Artists Programme: Project Funding for Individuals provides grants ranging from £3,000 to £10,000 to help artists develop their creative practice through research, experimentation, professional development, residencies, mentoring, training, and the creation of new work. The programme supports artists across all disciplines and career stages, including emerging artists and, in some circumstances, technical or administrative staff working within professional arts organisations.
Funding can be used for a variety of project-related costs, including materials, artist fees, residency participation, venue hire, travel, and technical equipment. The programme is designed to foster innovation, artistic growth, and the development of creative careers through targeted investment in practice-based artistic projects.
What Is the Support for Individual Artists Programme?
The Support for Individual Artists Programme is a professional development funding scheme that helps artists strengthen and evolve their creative practice through project-based activities.
The programme recognises that artists require time, resources, and opportunities to experiment, develop skills, undertake research, and create new work. By providing financial support, the fund enables artists to pursue projects that contribute directly to their artistic growth and long-term career development.
Unlike project grants focused primarily on public delivery or audience engagement, this programme places significant emphasis on artistic practice, experimentation, learning, and creative exploration.
Purpose of the Programme
The programme aims to support artists in developing their practice and advancing their professional careers.
Key objectives include:
- Supporting the creation of new artistic work
- Encouraging innovation and experimentation
- Providing dedicated research and development time
- Expanding artistic skills and techniques
- Supporting participation in residencies
- Facilitating mentoring and professional learning opportunities
- Strengthening long-term creative practice
- Enabling artists to explore new artistic directions
The programme invests in artists as individuals, recognising that creative development often requires focused time and resources before public outcomes are achieved.
Funding Available
Grant Amount
Applicants can request funding between:
- Minimum: £3,000
- Maximum: £10,000
Applications requesting less than £3,000 or more than £10,000 are not eligible for consideration.
The funding is intended to provide meaningful support for substantial artistic development projects.
What Activities Can Be Funded?
The programme supports a wide range of activities that contribute directly to artistic growth and creative practice.
Creation of New Work
Artists may use funding to:
- Develop new artistic projects
- Produce original creative work
- Explore new artistic concepts
- Test innovative creative approaches
Research and Development
Funding can support:
- Artistic research
- Concept development
- Creative exploration
- Practice-based investigation
- Experimental work
Research and development activities allow artists to deepen their understanding of their discipline and develop new methods of working.
Innovation and Experimentation
The programme actively encourages projects that involve:
- Creative risk-taking
- Testing new ideas
- Exploring emerging techniques
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Experimental artistic processes
Residencies
Artists may apply for support to participate in professional residencies.
Residency applications must include confirmation from the host organisation demonstrating that the placement has been arranged or agreed in principle.
Mentoring and Training
Funding may be used for:
- One-to-one mentoring
- Specialist artistic training
- Technical skills development
- Creative coaching
- Professional development opportunities
Dedicated Creative Time
The programme recognises the importance of time for artistic practice.
Artists can request support for:
- Focused project development
- Studio practice
- Creative experimentation
- Project-specific artistic work
Eligible Costs
A variety of project-related expenses can be included within funding requests.
Materials and Resources
Funding may cover:
- Artistic materials
- Creative supplies
- Production resources
- Project-specific consumables
Artist Fees and Creative Time
Applicants may request support for:
- Personal creative time
- Artistic development work
- Practice-based project delivery
Artistic and Technical Production Fees
Eligible costs include:
- Specialist artistic services
- Technical expertise
- Production support
- Creative collaborators
Venue and Rehearsal Space Hire
Funding may support:
- Studio rental
- Rehearsal facilities
- Project workspace hire
- Creative development venues
Travel Costs
Project-related travel can be included, such as:
- Mileage expenses
- Public transport
- Air travel
- Accommodation linked to project delivery
Travel costs must be directly related to the proposed artistic activity.
Equipment Funding Rules
The programme allows contributions toward technical equipment where there is a clear connection to project delivery.
Laptop and PC Funding
Applicants may request:
- Up to £1,200 towards a laptop or desktop computer
Tablet Funding
Applicants may request:
- Up to £500 towards a tablet device
Equipment Funding Cap
Equipment-related costs must not exceed:
- 50% of the total funding request
This requirement ensures that the primary focus remains on artistic development rather than equipment acquisition.
Who Can Apply?
Practicing Artists
The programme is open to artists working in all artistic disciplines and creative fields.
Applicants may include:
- Visual artists
- Musicians
- Writers
- Theatre practitioners
- Dancers
- Filmmakers
- Digital artists
- Multidisciplinary artists
Emerging Artists
The programme actively supports emerging artists.
An emerging artist is generally someone who:
- Has fewer than five years of professional practice
- Is developing a distinctive artistic voice
- Is building their professional profile
- Is establishing a sustainable creative career
Emerging artists are encouraged to apply where the project contributes significantly to their artistic development.
Technical and Administrative Staff
In specific circumstances, technical staff or administrators working within professional artistic organisations may apply.
Projects must demonstrate that the proposed activity will:
- Develop professional skills
- Enhance technical expertise
- Contribute directly to career development
Academic and Educational Applicants
Artists who are involved in higher education may also be eligible under certain conditions.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students
Students may apply if:
- The project is separate from assessed academic work
- The activity falls outside formal course requirements
- The project supports independent artistic development
Academic Staff
Lecturers, researchers, and academic practitioners may apply where the proposed project is clearly distinct from their institutional responsibilities.
Required Documentation
Academic applicants must provide:
- A formal statement from the head of department
- Confirmation that the project is not part of assessed coursework
- Evidence that the activity is separate from academic obligations
Additional Requirements for Postgraduate Applicants
Postgraduate applicants must explain:
- How the proposed project differs from their academic research
- Why the activity represents independent artistic development
Who Is Not Eligible?
Applicants may be ineligible if they:
- Have received certain Arts Council individual awards during the 2024/25 or 2025/26 funding periods
- Are currently in breach of previous funding agreements
- Fail to meet programme eligibility requirements
- Submit projects that do not primarily support artistic development
Applicants should carefully review all eligibility conditions before submitting an application.
Why This Programme Matters
Artists often face significant challenges in finding funding for experimentation, learning, and practice development.
Many funding schemes prioritise public delivery outcomes, leaving limited opportunities for artists to invest in research, innovation, and professional growth.
This programme helps address that gap by supporting:
- Artistic exploration
- Creative risk-taking
- Career progression
- Skill development
- Long-term practice sustainability
- Innovation within the arts sector
By investing directly in artists, the programme contributes to a stronger and more vibrant creative ecosystem.
How to Apply
Step 1: Define Your Artistic Development Goal
Identify how the project will strengthen or evolve your creative practice.
Step 2: Develop a Project Plan
Outline:
- Activities
- Timeline
- Learning objectives
- Expected artistic outcomes
Step 3: Build a Realistic Budget
Include all eligible project costs and ensure equipment expenses remain within programme limits.
Step 4: Secure Supporting Documentation
Where relevant, obtain:
- Residency host confirmations
- Head of department statements
- Partner agreements
- Professional references
Step 5: Demonstrate Artistic Impact
Explain how the project will:
- Advance your practice
- Develop new skills
- Create meaningful artistic outcomes
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Complete all required sections and provide supporting evidence before the deadline.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Focusing Only on Production
The programme prioritises artistic development, learning, and practice growth rather than solely producing finished work.
Weak Development Outcomes
Clearly explain how the project will strengthen your artistic practice.
Missing Residency Confirmation
Residency-based projects should include evidence from the host organisation.
Excessive Equipment Costs
Ensure equipment expenses do not exceed 50% of the total funding request.
Insufficient Budget Detail
Provide a clear breakdown of all project costs.
Failing to Demonstrate Independence from Academic Study
Students and academics should clearly explain how the project differs from formal educational responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much funding can I apply for?
Applicants can request between £3,000 and £10,000.
Who is eligible for the programme?
Practicing artists across all disciplines, emerging artists, and in some cases technical or administrative arts professionals.
Can emerging artists apply?
Yes. The programme actively supports artists in the early stages of their careers.
Can I use funding for a residency?
Yes. Residency participation is eligible if supported by confirmation from the host organisation.
Can I purchase equipment with the grant?
Yes. Equipment may be funded where directly related to the project, but equipment costs cannot exceed 50% of the total funding request.
Can postgraduate students apply?
Yes, provided the project is separate from academic research and appropriate supporting documentation is supplied.
What makes an application more competitive?
Strong applications clearly demonstrate artistic development, innovation, learning outcomes, professional growth, and a well-planned budget.
Key Takeaways
- The programme offers grants from £3,000 to £10,000.
- Funding supports artistic development, experimentation, research, and professional growth.
- Artists from all disciplines can apply.
- Emerging artists are encouraged to participate.
- Residencies, mentoring, training, creative time, and new work development are eligible activities.
- Equipment costs cannot exceed 50% of the funding request.
- Laptop funding is capped at £1,200 and tablet funding at £500.
- Academic applicants must demonstrate that projects are separate from formal educational responsibilities.
Conclusion
The Support for Individual Artists Programme: Project Funding for Individuals provides valuable investment in artistic growth, creative exploration, and professional development. By offering grants of up to £10,000, the programme enables artists to dedicate time to research, innovation, experimentation, training, and the creation of new work. Whether supporting emerging practitioners or established artists seeking new directions, the fund plays an important role in strengthening artistic careers and fostering creativity across disciplines.
For more information, visit Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
