Arts Council of Northern Ireland

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Annual Funding Programme 2023/24

The aim of the Annual Funding Programme (AFP) is to support Northern Ireland’s arts infrastructure through grants to organisations in all artforms and practices for their core and programming costs. AFP organisations will be key to helping us achieve the objectives set out in our 5-year strategic framework for developing the arts, Inspire / Connect / Lead, and we expect all awardees to support us in delivering these objectives.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• If you do not already have one, you will be required to go through a simple process to set up an application account requiring an email address and a password (which you will choose yourself). You can then use this account to view your application for this or any other Arts Council scheme to which you apply.
• If you have not already done so, your organisation will need to register on the Government Funding Database (GFD) website (this applies to NI-based orgs only - see page 8 below). Please note that registration can take several days. It is your responsibility to ensure that your organisation’s account is set up and the appropriate documents uploaded by the time you make your application to us. If you are not registered on the GFD by the closing deadline of this programme, your application will not be eligible.
• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed in the guidance notes.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, Friday 17 February 2023. If your completed application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Remember: It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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SIAP Travel Awards

The Travel Awards Scheme is a rolling programme. Applications must be received 4 weeks before the intended date of travel. 

These awards enable individual artists and established music groups (up to 4 members) to travel from Northern Ireland to develop their skills and expertise. Applicants must provide evidence that they have been invited by a host organisation in the country to which they intend to travel.

Artists, bands and managers who have been invited to play an international showcasing festival or conference in North America or Europe (for example, SXSW, WOMEX, Folk Alliance International, Classical: Next or Jazz Ahead) should apply to the International Showcase Fund (ISF), delivered by the PRS for Music Foundation in partnership with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

If you feel you have a disability which affects your ability to complete the online application form, please contact the University of Atypical (UoA). The UoA will provide tailored advice and support to D/deaf, disabled and Neurodiverse applicants when submitting application to ACNI Programmes.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned to up to date of submission. Please note: You must apply at least four weeks before your anticipated date of departure.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed in the guidance notes
• When you submit your application, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures four (4) weeks before intended date of travel.

Documents

Download Guidance Notes here.

http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-Travel-Awards-Guidance-Notes-2022.pdf

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Small Grants Programme

The Arts Council has designed this programme to encourage you to develop and deliver your ideas, linked to your artistic needs and to your future plans.

The aim of this programme is to assist organisations to deliver arts projects which contribute to the growth of arts in the community for new and existing audiences and which reflect the diversity of Northern Ireland’s society and culture.

We want to support activities which benefit the people of Northern Ireland or that help arts organisations in Northern Ireland carry out their work.

All applications should fit within the objectives stated in the Council’s five-year plan.

How to apply?

You MUST apply online. We will not accept applications in hard copy, by email or by fax.

Online applications may be edited, saved and returned to at any time until you submit. You MUST submit ALL mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time, ie. at the point at which you submit your online application. The enclosures are listed within the online application and in the FAQs doc.

The online application allows you to upload and attach the necessary enclosures to your application. You must upload the following mandatory enclosures:

• Legal constitution of the applicant organisation
• Detailed project budget

And if available you must upload

• CVs or information on artist/s, groups, technical staff, other personnel you propose to employ as part of the project

Applicants must read the FAQs document for more detail on these enclosures. All such documents must be in Word, Excel or pdf format. We cannot accept documents in other formats. Total size of documents should not exceed 25 Mb.

All of the information you provide will be held on computer. This information will be used for the administration of applications and grants, for producing statistics and information on successful applicants. Remember to keep a copy of the completed form and enclosures for your own records.

Deadline for Applications

The deadline for applications is Friday 31st March 2023 at 12pm
Decisions will be made by Friday 31st March 2023

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Creative Industries Seed Programme III

This £25k funding award is eligible for partnerships that use the arts within new and emerging technologies. With the continuing evolution of immersive technology, it has the potential to expand the possibilities of how the arts can be distributed and utilised in new and innovate ways.

Programme Objectives:
1. Encourage Cross-Sectoral Collaboration;
2. Drive innovation in technologies; and
3. Creating new content, products, services and experiences.

The aim of this project is to assist arts organisations, entrepreneurs, and creative businesses to undertake projects that:
1. Contribute to the growth of the creative industries; and
2. Unlock future income generation.

All applications must be partnerships between an arts organisation or artist and a creative business or academia.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.

• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, i.e. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and in the guidance notes.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12noon precisely on the closing date, 15 December 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, with all the requested mandatory enclosures, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Covid Recovery Programme for Arts Organisations

The Executive and the Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey MLA, have provided Covid recovery funding for arts organisations and a range of other not-for-profit organisations.

The aim of the Covid Recovery Programme for Arts Organisations is to reduce or remove operating deficits in eligible organisations, which have arisen in the 2021/22 financial year because of the Covid pandemic.

To achieve this the Covid Recovery Programme for Arts Organisations will support eligible organisations which have been negatively affected by the pandemic in the financial year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 and which have a financial operating deficit during that period which is attributable in full or in part to Covid.

Available Funding

The maximum amount of funding available to an eligible organisation under this Programme is £50,000.

Exceptionally, a greater amount of funding may be available to eligible organisations that can demonstrate that the deficit attributable to Covid in the financial year is greater than £50,000 and that the organisation requires funding in excess of that sum to stabilise financially.

In the event that the proposed awards exceed available funding, those organisations with the largest operating deficits will get priority.

Organisations applying for more than £50,000 must make contact with the Arts Council before doing so.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved, and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, i.e. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. If you realise after submitting your online application that you have not included all the mandatory enclosures you must resubmit a new application with all the relevant mandatory enclosures included before the application deadline of 12noon on Friday 28 January 2022. We cannot accept additional material by any other method or after the deadline. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, Friday 28 January 2022.
• If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
 
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system.
• If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Rosemary James Memorial Trust Award

Rosemary (Rosy) James died in 2010, having bequeathed over £500,000 to establish an annual bursary in her name to help artists, designers and makers to pursue their careers by developing a new body of work. ‘The Rosemary James Bursary’ will be administered by the Arts Council on behalf of the Rosemary James Trust. The value of the annual award is up to £15,000.

This unique award is directed at makers steeped in practice using materials singly or in combination. Such materials might include fired clay or glass; fine or base metals; textiles using any kinds of applications; wood; plastics; paper or other materials not included in this list, where the emphasis is based upon the transformation of materials through the use of sustained practice towards a series of critical outcomes.

It aims to assist makers to investigate and develop a body of work which would otherwise be unaffordable.

The period of the award will culminate in an exhibition of work on public display in Northern Ireland.

How to apply?

Prior to submission of your application, you may seek advice on any aspect of the form from the Arts Council Visual Arts team. Suzanne Lyle is the Head of Visual Arts and a Rosemary James Trust member. She can be contacted at slyle@artscouncil-ni.org.

You must apply by email. We will not accept applications in hard copy. Send your completed application form and all the requested mandatory enclosures to rstephenson@artscouncil-ni.org.

Completed forms must be returned by 4.00pm on the stated deadline day, Friday, 20 January 2023.

If you feel you have a disability which affects your ability to complete the application form, please contact the University of Atypical (UoA). The UoA will provide tailored advice and support to D/deaf, disabled and Neurodiverse applicants when submitting applications to ACNI Programmes.

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Young Musicians’ Platform

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI), in collaboration with BBC Northern Ireland (BBC NI), offers awards for young, exceptionally talented solo musicians / singers / singer-songwriters in Classical, Jazz, Contemporary and Traditional Music who are ready to enter the professional world as artists.

The Young Musicians’ Platform Scheme is a biennial scheme offering a maximum of six individual awards of up to £5,000 plus two professional engagements arranged by BBC Northern Ireland for a broadcast chamber music/solo recital and/or concerto performance with the Ulster Orchestra where appropriate.

The financial award associated with this scheme will allow applicants to spend a sizeable amount of time learning from a master musician/teacher/composer etc. abroad.

The BBC will facilitate this scheme by offering two professional broadcast performances to six successful applicants, in the period January 2023 to December 2024.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

If you feel you have a disability which affects your ability to complete the online application form, please contact the University of Atypical (UoA). The UoA will provide tailored advice and support to D/deaf, disabled and Neurodiverse applicants when submitting application to ACNI Programmes.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed in the Guidance Notes
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, Tuesday 15 November 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.
• Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Young People & Wellbeing Arts Programme

The programme aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people by engagement in high quality arts.

Objectives

• To improve emotional, physical and social wellbeing of participants
• To enable participants express opinions or feeling using an arts-based methods
• Realise an improvement in wider services for young people with mental health issues
• Empower communities to take a more pro-active role in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• Reduce stigma associated with mental health and wellbeing through improved education
• Support and promote help seeking behavior amongst participants

Projects should aim to include young people experiencing higher levels of disadvantage or exclusion and may include more vulnerable groups such as those living with a mental health condition, eating disorders or addiction.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed on pages 8 to 11 of the Guidance Notes
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, Tuesday 11 October 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Commissioning Programme

The purpose of the Commissioning Programme is to enable organisations to commission new work.

The finished work should be in a form capable of being presented, exhibited, published, performed and/or disseminated in its entirety at the point of completion in Northern Ireland (if applicable abroad) either live or online.

This programme prioritises applications that:

• Propose commissions of high artistic quality;
• Are planned to reach significant audiences primarily in Northern Ireland through live performance, exhibition, publication, broadcast, recording, and/or other audience channels;
• Provide for an extended life and/or extended public reach and impact for the work or project that has been created;
• Demonstrate a strong collaborative-engagement process between the commissioner, performers and the commissioned artist(s) in the development of the new work; and
• Demonstrate innovation and deepen the experience and understanding of the artform.

All awards and programmes are informed by the Arts Council’s 5-year strategic framework (2019–24), Inspire, Connect & Lead (see here).

Commissions may be applied for across all artform areas supported by the Arts Council. Proposals may also be cross-artform.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, 31 October 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Individual Artists Digital Evolution Awards

Programme Objectives:

• Upskilling NI artists in the use of Digital Technology
• Creation of excellent Digital Art*

Programme Priorities:

• Creation of digital arts
• Supporting artists to make digital art for the first time or working with digital technology which they have not used before.
• Encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration

*What is Digital Art within the context of this programme?
For this programme digital art is artwork that is created exclusively in the digital space; it can either exist in the digital space or be translated into a physical object or tangible experience through technology. Work that exists only in the digital space can be artwork that is consumed online or offline; the latter having some form of installation in a venue.

This grant programme does not cover the simple digitisation of art (in any artform) or performance and must relate to the development of your artistic practice and digital capability. Filmed performances, audio recordings or video capture of material that would be intended for in-person performance is not suitable as the output of a project proposal, and applications applying for such output activity will be rejected as ineligible. Such filmed or recorded elements can be used as assets within a piece of digital art, for example within animation, virtual experiences, or app development.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email. Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed in the guidance notes.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12noon precisely on the closing date, 30 September 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, with all the requested mandatory enclosures, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Support for Individual Artists Programme (SIAP)

The aim of the overall Support for Individual Artists Programme (SIAP) is to support artists across all disciplines to create work and develop their practice. Broadly, awards can be for specific projects, specialised research or personal artistic development. These guidance notes provide information on how to apply to 3 SIAP schemes – others are also available:

• General Art Awards
• Artists Career Enhancement Scheme (ACES)
• Artists International Development Fund (AIDF)

Each of these has a different focus in terms of the proposal to be funded. You should read the scheme-specific details in the guidance below carefully before application.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

If you feel you have a disability which affects your ability to complete the online application form, please contact the University of Atypical (UoA). The UoA will provide tailored advice and support to D/deaf, disabled and Neurodiverse applicants when submitting application to ACNI Programmes.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and detailed on pages 20 to 22 in the Guidance Notes.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, 30 August 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

Organisations - Artists International Development Fund

Organisations wishing to apply to the Artists International Development Fund must do so using the application link below:

https://www.grantrequest.co.uk/SID_147?SA=SNA&FID=35171

To return to an application please use the link below:

https://www.grantrequest.co.uk/accountmanager.aspx?SA=AM&sid=147

Please note: some prioritisation of Artists International Development Fund grants will be made to Northern Ireland Artists & Arts organisations interested to connect with Artists and Arts opportunities in Official Development Assistance (ODA) countries. ODA is a category used by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development to measure foreign aid. Please see the list of ODA countries here.

Documents

Download Guidance Notes here

http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-SIAP-Guidance-Notes-June2022.pdf

View Rates of Pay for Artists Guidance document here.

http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-Rates-of-Pay-for-Artists-March-2022.pdf View All Programmes

SIAP Minority Ethnic Residency & Mentoring Programme

This programme is one of a number of Support for Individual Artists Programme schemes currently open for application.

You may apply to more than one scheme but you will only be awarded one grant in any funding round. If you choose to apply to more than one scheme:

• You must complete a separate application form for each scheme and
• The projects within each application must be significantly different.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland recognises and welcomes the diversity within our society.

In working to create the conditions for the widest variety of art and creativity for both artists and audiences through our Support for the Individual Artist Programme, we are seeking to address the numerous and complex barriers to access, progression and representation in the arts encountered by minority ethnic artists with this mentoring and residency scheme.

These awards have been informed by the Arts Council’s Intercultural Arts Strategy and framed within our Five Year Strategy Inspire Connect and Lead. Our aim is to support individual artists and creative practitioners from minority ethnic backgrounds and migrant backgrounds at every stage of their career.

Through this Minority Ethnic Artist’s Mentoring and Residency Programme we wish to create opportunities for specialized training, research, cultural exchanges, networking and learning for individual artists, creative practitioners and arts administrators from minority ethnic and migrant backgrounds.

Programme Aims:

• Support workforce skill development and career pathways for artists of all ages from minority ethnic and migrant backgrounds.
• Inspire excellence through the support of high-quality, ambitious, innovative and imaginative opportunities for artists to collaborate with others.
• Increase the capacity and opportunities for artists to take professional and creative risks.
• Contribute to a vibrant and diverse workforce across the breadth of the creative and cultural industries.
• Increase opportunities for young and emerging minority ethnic artists

Specifically, the scheme will fund residencies and mentoring opportunities through which applicants can develop their creative and professional practice.

Applicants are invited to shape a programme of support, tailored to their own needs and through wider collaboration.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, 22 August 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

Documents

Download Guidance Notes here.

http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-SIAP-Minority-Ethnic-Residency-Mentoring-Programme-22-23-Guidance-Notes.pdf

View Rates of Pay for Artists Guidance document here.

http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-Rates-of-Pay-for-Artists-March-2022.pdf

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SIAP Major Individuals Award

This programme is one of a number of Support for Individual Artists Programme schemes currently open for application.

You may apply to more than one scheme but you will only be awarded one grant in any funding round. If you choose to apply to more than one scheme:

• You must complete a separate application form for each scheme and
• The projects within each application must be significantly different.

Major Individual Awards are intended to create the circumstances in which established artists with national / international recognition may develop extended or ambitious work. Awards can be for specific projects, specialised research, personal artistic development and materials/ equipment.

4 awards of up to £15,000 each are being offered in 2022/23.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

If you feel you have a disability which affects your ability to complete the online application form, please contact the University of Atypical (UoA). The UoA will provide tailored advice and support to D/deaf, disabled and Neurodiverse applicants when submitting application to ACNI Programmes.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, 15 August 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

Documents

Download Guidance Notes here.

http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-SIAP-MIA-22-23-Guidance-Notes.pdf

View Rates of Pay for Artists Guidance document here.

http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-Rates-of-Pay-for-Artists-March-2022.pdf

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WOMEX 2022 Bursaries

WOMEX World Music Expo will take place in in Lisbon, Portugal, from 19rd to 23rd October 2022. This will be the eighth occasion of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s attendance at WOMEX which has fast become the most important international professional market for world music of every kind including folk, roots, ethnic and traditional music.

The five-day event attracts over 2,500 delegates from over 90 countries, including hundreds of concert and festival bookers, labels, publishers, distributors, managers and the world's media.

This year, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland will host a combined stand located within the Horizons section of WOMEX. Horizons is an initiative to collectively promote the music of nations of the UK & Ireland at WOMEX. The Horizons partners are Arts Council England, British Underground, Arts Council of Ireland, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Culture Ireland, Creative Scotland, Scottish Music Industry Association, Arts Council of Wales, Cerdd Cymru: Music Wales, Wales Arts International, UK Trade & Investment.

Selected delegates will participate in the national stand to promote their work to international arts industry presenters and promoters.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland will offer a maximum of four bursary awards for WOMEX 2022. The award - £650 per delegate - is towards the costs of return flights, registration and a contribution towards accommodation and subsistence.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

Make sure you address each question otherwise your application may be deemed ineligible. Applications will be assessed against two criteria: Contribution to the Sector; and Potential for Skills/Career Development of the Proposal.

If you have any queries contact Music and Traditional Arts Development Officer Jo Wright – jwright@artscouncil-ni.org

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Rural Engagement Arts Programme

The purpose of the Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP) is to provide an integrated, cohesive approach to the needs of local rural communities as they emerge from the global Covid pandemic, recognising the specific issues they face as a result.

The overarching theme is combatting isolation and loneliness, and promoting social inclusion. The pandemic and the resulting lockdowns across the UK have taken a toll on individual lives, with mental health and well-being adversely affected as families and friends were separated for sustained periods of time. Intergenerational family relationships being particularly affected. This has been compounded in rural communities which are characterised by smaller and more dispersed populations.

There are many ways to define and differentiate between loneliness and social isolation:

• Loneliness, which can affect any age group, is the ‘subjective, unpleasant and distressing phenomenon stemming from a discrepancy between individuals’ desired and achieved levels of social relations’
• Social isolation is ‘an imposed isolation from normal social networks caused by loss of mobility or deteriorating health’

The impact that loneliness and social isolation can have on the physical, mental and social health of isolated older people in particular is well documented. The Campaign to End Loneliness points to research which shows that lacking social connections is as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Lonely individuals are more likely to visit their GP, use more medication and have a higher incidence of falls. They are also more likely to enter early into residential or nursing care.

The Arts Council believes that arts, and coming together as communities, can all make a vital contribution to building health, confidence and healthy integrated communities.

The Arts Council has worked in tandem with local authority community development and arts officers to ensure as far as possible that access to the funding available is widely disseminated.

Groups can apply for one-off projects or for a programme of events. Projects do not have to be new: existing programmes which are successful and meet the strategic themes of REAP are eligible.

The definition of rural is outlined in Appendix 1 in the guidance notes below and is taken from the NISRA review of statistical classification and delineation of settlements in March 2015. While engagement must be targeted at rural communities as defined here, Local Authorities and other groups based in urban areas may apply for programmes to be delivered in rural communities.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, Thursday, 28 July 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Arts and Older People Programme

The Arts & Older People Programme aims to strengthen the voice of older people and promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing through the arts. In conjunction with the delivery partners the priority areas for this next round of funding are projects being delivered within care homes, carers and people living with dementia. The proposed projects should reflect the partnership approach with the care homes and have the support from them in the delivery.

To ensure a strong advocacy message there will be an opportunity to showcase the projects funded throughout the year. Applicants should endeavour to build this into their project programme and budget.

How to apply?

Applications may only be submitted online. When you submit online, you MUST submit ALL mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time, i.e. at the point at which you submit your online application. Online applications may be edited, saved and returned to up to the closing date.

All enclosure documents must be in Word, Excel or pdf format. We cannot accept documents in other formats. Total size of documents should not exceed 25 Mb. Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon on the closing date. If your complete application is not uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.

Details of enclosure documents are outlined at FAQ 14 (pages 13 and 14).

NOTE: Applications submitted in hard copy, by fax, disk or e-mail will not be accepted. REMEMBER TO KEEP A COPY OF THE COMPLETED FORM AND ENCLOSURES FOR YOUR RECORDS

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Health and Safety Capital Programme

The Arts Council has designed this programme to enable organisations to purchase equipment and/or carry out minor works to their premises which will address any health and safety issues that has been created due to Covid-19 or has been an outstanding maintenance issue which has rendered the space not fit for purpose.

We want to support organisations across Northern Ireland to maintain their creative spaces addressing any issues that may hinder the work to take place. We want to ensure that organisations have proper measures in place to welcome their staff, artists and audiences. We also want to support organisations in their delivery of the arts in new and creative alternatives.

Particular priority will be given to equipment and minor works which

• address Covid-19 requirements;
• improves the accessibility of the arts;
• continues the safe practice for continued accessibility of the arts;
• improves the environment for the arts sector;
• enhances or broadens the audience/participants’ experience

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.

• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.

• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12noon precisely on the closing date, Thursday 9 June 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.

• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Lottery Project Funding 2022-2023

The Arts Council has designed this programme to assist organisations to deliver arts projects which contribute to the growth of arts in the community for new and existing audiences and which reflect the diversity of Northern Ireland’s society and culture. We want to support activities which benefit the people of Northern Ireland or that help arts organisations in Northern Ireland carry out their work.

In addition, the Council wishes to support programmes which

• Encourage the involvement of under-represented groups including those from black and ethnic minority (BAME) communities;
• Encourage the involvement of children and young people, older people, or people with disabilities with organisations and artists of the very highest professional standards across the disciplines;
• Promote innovative, original work by Northern Ireland artists, especially in drama and dance, which tours outside the company’s administrative base; and
• Advance collaborative audience development projects

What you can apply for

Applicants should give careful consideration to the feasibility and timing of touring work, public presentations, large scale projects and conferences in light of potential ongoing or re-occurring issues due to Covid-19.

You can apply for arts activities that last up to one year. These can include the following:

• Projects, events and programmes of activity together with related overhead costs associated with the delivery of the project/event or programme
• Projects which promote under-represented groups including those from black and ethnic minority (BAME) communities
• Continuation of salaries of existing administrative and/or arts posts. except for staff who have taken up the offer of the Governments furlough scheme
• Commissions and Productions*
• Research and Development
• Audience Development – to meet the needs of audiences and to help arts organisations develop ongoing relationships with audiences
• Touring (in more than one local authority area)
• One-off, large-scale national arts events, such as conferences, which take place in Northern Ireland and benefit people and artists from across Northern Ireland and beyond
• Presentations or exhibitions (in more than one local authority area) of work by international artists and arts organisations
• Organisational/skills development to ensure you are fit for purpose after COVID-19.
• Specialist skills for on-line presentation of existing or new work
• Projects which are planned to reach significant audiences through ‘live’, ‘as live’ or recorded digital performance, publication, broadcast, reading, recording, and/or other audience channels
• Modest requests for capital equipment, website design and upkeep costs and digital platform development will be assessed on a case by case basis and these must be integral to project design and/or delivery and/or specific project costs.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, Monday 16 May 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date. View All Programmes

Organisations Digital Evolution Awards

Programme Objectives:

• Upskilling NI arts organisations in the use of Digital Technology
• Creation of excellent Digital Art*

Programme Priorities:

1. Creation of digital arts
2. Supporting artists / arts organisations to make digital art for the first time or working with digital technology which they have not used before.
3. Encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration

*What is Digital Art within the context of this programme?

For this programme digital art is artwork that is created exclusively in the digital space; it can either exist in the digital space or be translated into a physical object or tangible experience through technology. Work that exists only in the digital space can be artwork that is consumed online or offline; the latter having some form of installation in a venue.

This grant programme does not cover the simple digitisation of art (in any artform) or performance and must relate to the development of your artistic practice and digital capability. Filmed performances, audio recordings or video capture of material that would be intended for in-person performance is not suitable as the output of a project proposal, and applications applying for such output activity will be rejected as ineligible. Such filmed or recorded elements can be used as assets within a piece of digital art, for example within animation, virtual experiences, or app development.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed with the guidance notes.
• • Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12noon precisely on the closing date, 14 November 2022. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, with all the requested mandatory enclosures, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Four Nations International Fund

The Four Nations International Fund supports individuals and organisations in developing international partnerships and co-creation projects.

This pilot fund, now open, is designed to encourage in-person, digital and hybrid collaboration:

• between artists, creative practitioners and organisations from the four nations across the UK

and

• counterparts from elsewhere in Europe and beyond.

The Four Nations International Fund is a pilot fund with co-investment from Arts Council England, Arts Council Northern Ireland, Arts Council Wales/Wales Arts International and Creative Scotland.

The arts and culture sectors of all four nations across the UK thrive on international collaboration and exchange. This fund invites artists, cultural professionals and organisations to consider where that collaboration could be also enhanced by closer working between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Applications will require applicants to have at least one partner from another of the four nations of the UK in addition to at least one international partner.

How to apply?

Please download the Fund Guidance, FAQs and Timeline Template to prepare your application. Available from https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/targeted-funding/four-nations-international-fund

The fund is now open, and you can apply online using the My Creative Scotland online funding portal.

Apply now using My Creative Scotland

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Musical Instruments for Bands

The Arts Council has designed this programme to increase the quality of music-making in the community by helping bands to replace worn-out instruments and purchase new instruments.

Particular priority will be given to applications which can demonstrate

• high quality musicianship;
• a commitment to training and musical education, particularly of young people; and
• a commitment to repertoire and technique development in relation to the band’s existing repertoire and technical standards.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the attachments page within the online application and in the guidance notes.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12noon precisely on the closing date, Monday 18 October 2021. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Creative Individuals Recovery Programme

This programme has been co-designed by the Department for Communities and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The overriding objective of this programme is to help individuals reconnect or maintain their trade, profession or vocation within the creative sector as it emerges from coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Taking account of the diversity of the sector, it is difficult to be prescriptive, but the scheme will typically meet one-off costs that are necessarily incurred and indeed essential to the individual reengaging with or maintaining their practice. The programme will support actions to reverse the erosion of creative practice and loss of skills and experience to the creative sectors.

How to apply?

Applications to the Creative Individuals Recovery Programme will only be accepted online.

Documents

Download Guidance notes here

http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-CIRP-Guidance-Notes.pdf

Download FAQs here

http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-CIRP-FAQs-30-Sept-2021.pdf

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Minority Ethnic Artists Mentoring and Residency Programme

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland recognises and welcomes the diversity within our society.

In working to create the conditions for the widest variety of art and creativity for both artists and audiences, we are seeking to address the numerous and complex barriers to access, progression and representation in the arts encountered by minority ethnic artists.

These awards have been informed by the Arts Council’s Intercultural Arts Strategy and framed within our Five Year Strategy Inspire Connect and Lead. Our aim is to support individual artists and creative practitioners from minority ethnic backgrounds and migrant backgrounds at every stage of their career.

Through this Minority Ethnic Artist’s Mentoring and Residency Programme we wish to create opportunities for specialized training, research, cultural exchanges, networking and learning for individual artists, creative practitioners and arts administrators from minority ethnic and migrant backgrounds.

Programme Aims:

• Support workforce skill development and career pathways for artists of all ages from minority ethnic and migrant backgrounds.
• Inspire excellence through the support of high-quality, ambitious, innovative and imaginative opportunities for artists to collaborate with others.
• Increase the capacity and opportunities for artists to take professional and creative risks.
• Contribute to a vibrant and diverse workforce across the breadth of the creative and cultural industries.
• Increase opportunities for young and emerging minority ethnic artists

Specifically, the scheme will fund residencies and mentoring opportunities through which applicants can develop their creative and professional practice.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12noon precisely on the closing date, 4 October 2021. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

Guidance Notes

Download Guidance notes here

http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-ME-Residency-Programme.pdf

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Arts & Older People Programme

The Arts & Older People Programme was set up to increase opportunities for older people to engage with the arts.  It achieved this by providing funding to arts-based projects that addressed related social issues such as poverty, isolation and loneliness, as well as promoting positive mental health.  The design of the Programme was informed by the Arts & Older People Strategy which was undertaken by the Arts Council in July 2010. 

The programme to date has made 164 awards to community groups, voluntary groups and arts organisations. Over £1.5 million has been invested in the Arts & Older People Programme.

The Arts & Older People Programme aims to strengthen the voice of older people and promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing through the arts.  In conjunction with the delivery partners the priority areas for this next round of funding are projects being delivered within care homes, carers and people living with dementia.  The proposed projects should reflect the partnership approach with the care homes and have the support from them in the delivery.

How to apply?

Applications may only be submitted online.  When you submit online, you MUST submit ALL mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time, ie. at the point at which you submit your online application.  Online applications may be edited, saved and returned to up to the closing date. 

All enclosure documents must be in Word, Excel or pdf format.  We cannot accept documents in other formats.  Total size of documents should not exceed 25 Mb.

Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon on the closing date.  If your complete application is not uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted. 

Details of enclosure documents are outlined at FAQ 14 (pages 13 and 14).

NOTE:  Applications submitted in hard copy, by fax, disk or e-mail will not be accepted.
REMEMBER TO KEEP A COPY OF THE COMPLETED FORM AND ENCLOSURES FOR YOUR RECORDS

View All Programmes

Lottery Project Funding 2021-2022

The Arts Council has designed this programme to assist organisations to deliver arts projects which contribute to the growth of arts in the community for new and existing audiences and which reflect the diversity of Northern Ireland’s society and culture. We want to support activities which benefit the people of Northern Ireland or that help arts organisations in Northern Ireland carry out their work. 

In addition, the Council wishes to support programmes which

• Encourage the involvement of under-represented groups including those from black and ethnic minority (BAME) communities;
• Encourage the involvement of children and young people, older people, or people with disabilities with organisations and artists of the very highest professional standards across the disciplines;
• Promote innovative, original work by Northern Ireland artists, especially in drama and dance, which tours outside the company’s administrative base; and
• Advance collaborative audience development projects.

 

What you can apply for

Applicants should give careful consideration to the feasibility and timing of touring work, public presentations, large scale projects and conferences given restrictions due to COVID-19.

You can apply for arts activities that last up to one year.  These can include the following:

• Projects, events and programmes of activity together with related overhead costs associated with the delivery of the project/event or programme
• Projects which promote under-represented groups including those from black and ethnic minority (BAME) communities
• Continuation of salaries of existing administrative and/or arts posts. except for staff who have taken up the offer of the Governments furlough scheme
• Commissions and Productions*
• Research and Development
• Audience Development – to meet the needs of audiences and to help arts organisations develop ongoing relationships with audiences
• Touring (in more than one local authority area)
• One-off, large-scale national arts events, such as conferences, which take place in Northern Ireland and benefit people and artists from across Northern Ireland and beyond
• Presentations or exhibitions (in more than one local authority area) of work by international artists and arts organisations
• Organisational/skills development to ensure you are fit for purpose during and after COVID-19
• Specialist skills for on-line presentation of existing or new work
• Projects which are planned to reach significant audiences through ‘live’, ‘as live’ or recorded digital performance, publication, broadcast, reading, recording, and/or other audience channels
• Modest requests for capital equipment, website design and upkeep costs and digital platform development will be assessed on a case by case basis and these must be integral to project design and/or delivery and/or specific project costs.

 

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email. 

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, Tuesday 1 June 2021.   If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system.  If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

 

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

View All Programmes

Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme 2

Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme 2 for those working in the creative economy including freelancers, musicians, DJs, actors, artists and craft workers.

The overriding objective of this programme is to retain a vital workforce within the creative sector which is at risk of being lost as a result of Covid-19.  Many freelance workers and creatives have lost all earned income this year.  If not given critical support this fragile sector risks losing them and their skills.  This poses a major risk for when we return to a functioning arts and creative economy.

Consequently, this programme has been designed to help support individual musicians, DJs, artists, actors, craftspeople and freelancers and other creative practitioners who work in the creative industries to sustain and build their creative, professional and technical skills in these challenging times.  We also wish to assist these workers adapt to the new market conditions that have been brought about as a result of Covid-19.

Applications will also be considered from groups of individuals working in collaboration, provided there is a lead individual making the application.

Priority for funding will be given to those who have been unable to access other forms of financial support from Government or other sources and who have not received funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Artists Emergency Programme (AEP) or Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme 1. 

If you have already received funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in 2020, you can apply to this programme, but our priority will be to consider first time or previously unsuccessful applicants. Successful repeat applicants will be considered and held in a ranked reserve list and funded if we have the resources and until budgets are fully allocated.

How to apply?

Applications to the Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme will only be accepted online.

The online application system has been tested and is sending out relevant notifications. We are, however, aware that some applicants to online grants programmes may experience issues such as the account holder not receiving links to reset passwords, not receiving notifications of when applications are edited and saved, nor when applications have been submitted. These issues relate to those account holders with email addresses from the following email providers – btinernet, yahoo and virgin – and customised email addresses.

The potential issues lie with those email providers and are beyond the control of Arts Council; if encountered they need to be addressed by the relevant email provider. Should you be affected by a problem which cannot be resolved with an email provider, we would strongly recommend that accounts are set up using Gmail or Outlook email addresses. Where applicants may have previous accounts with other email addresses, we will be able to transfer historical information to new accounts if required.

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Stability and Renewal Programme for Organisations

Following the announcement of a £29m allocation from the NI Executive to support the arts, culture, heritage, languages and the wider creative industries sectors the Arts Council has this co-designed programme with the Department for Communities.

This additional funding will provide a much needed lifeline and significant boost to our cultural sector which has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

The Minister has acknowledged the substantial contribution that these sectors make to our local economy, our quality of life, health and wellbeing, in the shaping of our standing as a place to live, work and visit, and they have a vital part to play in delivering social renewal for communities and people impacted by COVID-19.

All organisations applying can contact the Arts Council for further advice before applying. Existing Arts Council clients should make contact with their Arts Council Officer before applying. All applications will be judged on merit, regardless of any previous relationship with the Arts Council or the Department for Communities.

Please read these Guidance Notes and FAQs before completing and submitting your Application Form

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email. 

• Online applications may be edited, saved, and returned up to the closing date.

• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. If you realise after submitting your online application that you have not included all the mandatory enclosures you must resubmit a new application with all the relevant mandatory enclosures included before the application deadline of 12noon on Friday 27 November 2020. We cannot accept additional material by any other method or after the deadline. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.

• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 12 noon precisely on the closing date, Friday 27 November 2020 If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.

• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

 

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

View All Programmes

Small Capital Programme

The Arts Council has designed this programme to enable organisations to purchase equipment and/or carry out minor works to their premises which will enhance their artistic services.

We want to support activities which benefit the people of Northern Ireland or that help arts organisations in Northern Ireland carry out their work.  Particular priority will be given to equipment and minor works which:

• address Covid-19 requirements in working remotely;
• improves the accessibility of the arts;
• improves the direct delivery of arts provision;
• enhances or broadens the audience/participants’ experience of arts programming; or
• raises the quality of the artistic work produced.

You should only apply to this programme if you will be able to complete the procurement, purchase and receipt of your requested items of equipment from notification of award and 5 March 2021.  Similarly, if you are applying for minor works costs, all work must take place and be completed from notification of award and 5 March 2021.  Eligible expenditure can only be incurred within these dates. If you are unable to meet these conditions, you should NOT apply to this scheme as the Arts Council will not meet any costs incurred outside this period.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system.  We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email. 

Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date. 

You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the attachments page within the online application and are detailed below. 

Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 4.00 pm precisely on the closing date, Thursday 15 October 2020.   If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.

If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system.  If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.
Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Young Musicians’ Platform Scheme

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI), in collaboration with BBC Northern Ireland (BBC NI), offers awards for young, exceptionally talented solo musicians/singers/singer-songwriters in Classical, Jazz, Contemporary and Traditional Music who are ready to enter the professional world as artists. The financial award associated with this scheme will allow applicants to spend a sizeable amount of time learning from a master musician/ teacher/composer etc. abroad. The BBC will facilitate this scheme by offering two professional broadcast performances to six successful applicants, in the period January 2021 – December 2022.

The Young Musicians’ Platform Scheme is a biennial scheme offering a maximum of six individual awards of £5,000 plus two professional engagements arranged by BBC Northern Ireland for a broadcast chamber music/ solo recital and/or concerto performance with the Ulster Orchestra where appropriate.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.

You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the attachments page within the Guidance Notes and the online application.

Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 4.00 pm precisely on the closing date, Thursday 29 October 2020.   If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.

If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system.  If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

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Organisations Emergency Programme

The Arts Council has co-designed this emergency support programme which reflects the Minister’s priorities with financial support from the Department for Communities to support the wider cultural sector as described above.

The primary objective of the programme is to support the continuance of creative work AND assist operational costs where necessary.  The programme seeks to assist small to medium scale organisations to explore ways of working that will help them to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances. It will also aim to assist organisations most in need due to loss of income or operational capacity up to 31 March 2021, enabling them to continue to develop and/or deliver activities.

Given the pressures across the cultural sector we would urge you to apply ONLY if your existing income or grant from public and other sources is not sufficient to ensure your stabilisation during the crisis.

This programme prioritises applications that:

• Can demonstrate loss of income as a direct result of COVID-19 through records or estimates of loss (evidence will be required so please keep a record).
• Can demonstrate urgent operational costs not met by existing income, grant aid or other forms of assistance; these could include overheads and the cost of being operational until 31 March 2021.

 

AND

Seek to explore ways of working that will help them to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances. This could include a period of research, development and/or delivery of creative activity / project by 31 March 2021.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission.  If you realise after submitting your online application that you have not included all the mandatory enclosures you must resubmit a new application with all the relevant mandatory enclosures included before the application deadline of 4.00pm on Thursday 17 September 2020.  We cannot accept additional material by any other method or after the deadline. These enclosures are listed on the Attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 4.00 pm precisely on the closing date, Thursday 17 SEPTEMBER 2020. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system.  If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

 

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

View All Programmes

Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme

Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme for those working in the creative economy including freelancers, musicians, actors, artists and craft workers.

The overriding objective of this programme is to retain a vital workforce within the creative sector which is at risk of being lost as a result of Covid-19.  Many freelance workers and creatives have lost all earned income this year.  If not given critical support this fragile sector risks losing them and their skills.  This poses a major risk for when we return to a functioning arts and creative economy.

Consequently, this programme has been designed to help support individual musicians, artists, actors, craftspeople and freelancers and other creative practitioners who work in the creative industries to sustain and build their creative, professional and technical skills in these challenging times.  We also wish to assist these workers adapt to the new market conditions that have been brought about as a result of Covid-19.

Applications will also be considered from groups of individuals working in collaboration, provided there is a lead individual making the application.

How to apply?

Applications to the Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme will only be accepted online.

Please consult the programme guidance notes below before making an application.

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Organisations Emergency Programme - First Round

The Arts Council has co-designed this emergency support programme which reflects the Minister’s priorities with financial support from the Department for Communities to support the wider cultural sector.

The primary objective of the programme is to support the continuance of creative work AND assist operational costs where necessary.  The programme seeks to assist small to medium scale organisations to explore ways of working that will help them to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances. It will also aim to assist organisations most in need due to loss of income or operational capacity up to 31 March 2021, enabling them to continue to develop and/or deliver activities.

Given the pressures across the cultural sector we would urge you to apply ONLY if your existing income or grant from public and other sources is not sufficient to ensure your stabilisation during the crisis.
 
This programme prioritises applications that:

• Can demonstrate loss of income as a direct result of COVID-19 through records or estimates of loss (evidence will be required so please keep a record).
• Can demonstrate urgent operational costs not met by existing income, grant aid or other forms of assistance; these could include overheads and the cost of being operational until 31 March 2021.

AND

Seek to explore ways of working that will help them to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances. This could include a period of research, development and/or delivery of creative activity / project by 31 March 2021.

How to apply?

Interested eligible organisations must submit the following evidence by email to artgrants@artscouncil-ni.org by the closing date of 4pm on Friday 12 June 2020.

•  Completed application form
•  Constitution and/or Memorandum and Articles of Association (if not uploaded to the Government Funders Database)
•  Most recent set of accounts (if not uploaded to the Government Funders Database)
•  CVs or information on artist/s, groups, technical staff and other personnel proposed to employ as part of the proposal
•  A financial budget and cash flow for the financial year end 2020/21 (normally year ending 31 March 2021)
•  A breakdown of costs over £1,000 (if applicable)
•  Evidence of loss of income from COVID-19, examples may include reduced ticket sales due to prior planned activity having to be cancelled due to COVID-19, loss of sponsorship etc
•  Equality Monitoring Information – a template for your completion is available below.

When submitting your application by email, please clearly identify in the subject line, the programme to which the application relates – Organisations Emergency Programme.

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Artists Emergency Programme

The Arts Council has designed this programme to support individual artists, creative practitioners and performers

There are two primary objectives of the programme

• to support proposals for the research, design and future presentation of specific showcases, performance(s) and/or other forms of public presentation aimed at groups and communities otherwise facing barriers to the arts on a range of platforms
• to engage the arts sector in employment by providing individual artists, creative practitioners and performers with financial support to create work and make a vital contribution to the well-being of communities.

There is an expectation that funding from the Scheme will lead in the future to some form of meaningful public engagement and/or other forms of public access opportunity, in large or small scale.

This programme prioritises applications that:

• Engage with groups, participants and audiences otherwise without easy access to or participation in the arts
• Benefit individual artists, creative practitioners and performers who are currently in difficulties due to work restrictions imposed by COVID-19 protocols
• Propose new or newly-imagined projects as interventions of high artistic quality
• Are planned to reach significant audiences through ‘live’, ‘as live’ or recorded digital performance, publication, broadcast, reading, recording, and/or other audience channels
• Provide for an extended life and/or extended public reach and impact for the work or project that has been created.

 

How to apply?

Interested eligible artists must submit the following by email to artgrants@artscouncil-ni.org 

• Completed Expression of Interest form
• Your CV
• CVs of other artists, creative practitioners and performers involved, if any
• A budget outline
• Previous experience of delivering work for public benefit would be important to evidence.
• Equality & Monitoring Information – a template for your completion is available below.

When submitting your Expression of Interest by email, please clearly identify in the subject line, the programme to which the Expression of Interest relates.

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Collection Acquisitions Open Submission Scheme

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland invites submissions under this scheme for artworks to consider for purchase for the Collection.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s specific objectives with respect to acquisitions are to:

• support individual artists
• contribute to the development of visual arts practice in Northern Ireland
• develop a culture in which visual art is respected and appreciated
• foster knowledge and research
• ensure that contemporary visual arts are showcased
• stimulate the art market in Northern Ireland

 

Priority is given to artists whose work is both challenging and innovative. Priority is also given to work from emerging artists, and from those whose work is not currently represented in the collection. However, only those artists who have had an artwork purchased or commissioned for the collection in the past 12 months will be ineligible to apply. Only works up to a maximum purchase price of £5,000 will be considered. Works in all media will be considered including painting, sculpture, craft, print, photography, and digital and video work. All works must have been completed in the last 3 years and should be the original work of the artist. The number of prints or copies in an edition should be clearly stated.

 

 

How to apply?

The submission process will consist of an email submission where artists will be invited to submit an application form, an image or a digital video clip sample of the work to be considered, an Artist Statement and History of Artistic Practice. No original artworks should be submitted at the application stage.

All submissions are to be sent to collection@artscouncil-ni.org before the programme closing date. No applications will be accepted by post.

Applicants should identify in the email subject line that the application relates to the ACNI Collection Open Submission Scheme.

Only one artwork from each artist will be considered for acquisition for the Collection, and artists should only submit details of one artwork.

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Musical Instruments for professional and non-professional performing groups

The Arts Council has designed this programme to provide support 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.

Funding is intended to increase the quality of music-making in the community by helping eligible groups purchase new instruments.

Particular priority will be given to applications which can clearly demonstrate

• a commitment to training / tuition / education and performance
• a commitment to artistic development
• an ability to increase access to music provision in rural areas

 

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email. 

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 4.00 pm precisely on the closing date, Thursday 26 November 2020. If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system.  If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted.

 

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing time and date.

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Musical Instruments for Individuals

The Arts Council has designed this programme to provide funding for highly-skilled, exceptional high profile professional performing musicians working only at a professional level who seek support for the purchase of high quality instruments that are central to their performing career. This award is open to musicians working as a high-level performer in a solo capacity or as part of a small group / chamber ensemble in any musical genre. This scheme is aimed at providing instruments for rehearsal and performance.

How to apply?

You must apply using our online system. We will not accept applications in hard copy or by email.

• Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date.
• You must submit all mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time as your application, ie. they must be uploaded to your online application prior to its submission. These enclosures are listed on the attachments page within the online application and are detailed below.
• Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 4.00 pm precisely on the closing date, Monday 23 November 2020.  If your complete application is not fully uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.
• If you submit your application by the closing deadline, you will receive an automated email advising that your application has been successfully submitted to the system.  If you do not receive this email, your application has not been submitted. 

 

Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and uploaded enclosures by the closing deadline.  The Arts Council will not accept responsibility for applications which are not successfully submitted by the programme deadline.

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Lottery Project Funding 2019-20

The aim of this programme is to assist organisations to deliver arts projects which contribute to the growth of arts in the community for new and existing audiences and which reflect the diversity of Northern Ireland’s society and culture.

We want to support activities which benefit the people of Northern Ireland or that help arts organisations in Northern Ireland carry out their work. 

How to apply?

Online Applications are open now.

Online applications may be edited, saved and returned up to the closing date. You MUST submit ALL mandatory enclosures associated with the application at the same time, ie. at the point at which you submit your online application.   These enclosures are listed within the online application. . 

The online application allows you to upload and attach the necessary enclosures to your application. All such documents must be in Word, Excel or pdf format.  We cannot accept documents in other formats. Total size of documents should not exceed 25 Mb.

Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to upload all documents to the system as there can be long delays as the closing deadline approaches and the system will shut down at 4.00 pm on the closing date.   If your complete application is not uploaded when the system closes, your application will not be accepted.

It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive the application form and documents by the closing time and date. 

All of the information you provide will be held on computer. This information will be used for the administration of applications and grants, for producing statistics and information on successful applicants.  Remember to keep a copy of the completed form and enclosures for your own records.