Deadline: 14-Aug-2025
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is inviting applications for the Support for Individual Artists Programme. This scheme is designed to help artists across all disciplines create new work and develop their artistic practice. It encourages innovation, experimentation, and a wide range of creative activities.
Artists can apply for funding to support various types of projects. These may include creating new work, dedicating time to creative outcomes, conducting research and development, participating in residencies, receiving mentoring or training, and undertaking professional development to enhance skills or techniques. A project can involve a single activity or a mix of several.
Examples of eligible projects include creating visual artworks such as paintings, street art, or sculptures; writing a novel or poetry collection; developing a new play or performance; composing new music or producing an album; or building a circus performance. Associated costs might include materials, studio hire, collaboration, production, and presentation.
The funding available ranges from £3,000 to £10,000. Applications for amounts outside this range will be considered ineligible. Projects must take place between 1 November 2025 and 31 October 2026.
Eligible costs include materials, the artist’s own time, residency and travel costs, venue hire, technical or production fees, and equipment—though equipment cannot make up more than 50% of the total request. IT equipment has capped support of £1,200 for laptops or PCs and £500 for tablets.
The fund does not support projects starting before the decision date, prolonged academic study, work already part of professional employment, living expenses, translations, website development, fashion/clothing design, or most film/TV projects—except in cases involving experimental or digital art. Scriptwriting and training or education programmes are also ineligible.
Collaborative applications are welcomed. Only one application form should be submitted for joint projects, with one lead applicant responsible for managing the grant. Details of all participating artists must be provided, and the total funding available remains the same for collaborative projects.
The programme is open to artists of all disciplines. In limited cases, technical staff or administrators in professional arts companies may apply to enhance their skills. The Council especially encourages emerging artists—those early in their careers who are establishing their reputation and artistic voice.
Artists who are also students or academics may apply, but only if the proposed project is clearly separate from their coursework or academic duties. Supporting letters from their Head of Department are required, particularly for postgraduate students, confirming the project is not part of assessed academic work.
Applicants must live in Northern Ireland, be at least 18 years old, and not be in secondary education. They must have contributed to the region’s arts sector for at least one year in the past five years. The Arts Council may request proof of residency if needed, especially where there are concerns about primary residence being outside Northern Ireland.
Applicants are not eligible if they have broken the conditions of previous Arts Council grants, or if they received a General Art Award or Artists Career Enhancement Award in 2023/24, or a Project Funding for Individuals grant in 2024/25.
For more information, visit Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
