Funding boost for digital arts in NI
3rd October, 2024
Arts Council of Northern Ireland announces investment of £39,860 for innovative digital arts projects, supported by The National Lottery and match funded by Future Screens NI.

The funding is part of the Arts Council’s National Lottery Organisations Digital Evolution Awards, a programme which aims to support those organisations making digital art for the first time or are working with digital or immersive technologies which they have not used previously. Among those offered up to £10,000 each of National Lottery funding are Accidental Theatre, Tinderbox Theatre Company, Ulster Touring Opera and Wheelworks.
Matthew Malcolm, Arts Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented,
“Today’s announcement is welcome news and I congratulate all of the organisations involved. Thanks to The National Lottery and Future Screens NI, this game-changing investment will support the creation of art using digital and immersive technologies and will help organisations to develop skills in the use of these new technologies. The National Lottery Organisations Digital Evolution Awards reflects the Arts Council’s commitment to encouraging experimentation, innovation and artistic risk taking, and to building digital capabilities within the Northern Ireland arts sector. I look forward to experiencing these exciting new projects as they develop.”
Professor Paul Moore, Director, Future Screens NI, added,
“The companies in this round of funding continue to illustrate the high degree of innovation and imagination needed to ask new and important questions of emerging technologies. They also show that however complex the hardwares and softwares being used to deliver a project are, ultimately success comes down to the relationship between the storyteller, the audience and the story being told.”
Among those offered funding through the National Lottery Organisations Digital Evolution Awards are:
Accidental Theatre Ltd
Funding amount offered: £10,000
Project title: Immersive Children’s Theatre
This project will create two new pieces of theatre for children including ‘Adventures with Eithne The Adventurer’ and ‘The Ultimate Bubble Experience’. These works will be designed and developed with partners for immersive viewing in 360 degree environments that audiences can watch and follow along with as the characters perform in them. These pieces will be artworks in their own right and will also lay the groundwork for training other artists in how to utilise the immersive video medium. The immersive content will be test distributed in collaboration with Accidental Theatre in Belfast, An Grianan Theatre in Donegal and Smock Alley Theatre Company in Dublin.
Tinderbox Theatre Company
Funding amount offered: £9,930
Project title: Poached
In this project, Tinderbox Theatre Company will explore AI, algorithm generated art and motion sensor filming. They will use this exploration to create digital art informed by theatre; using the play ‘Poached’ written by Catherine Rees and Alice Malseed as a stimulus. 'Poached' is a high-stakes tragicomic sci-fi drama, featuring Colin the Caterpillar, genetic conditioning and bodily control; inspired by real women’s experiences of fertility and reproductive care.
Irish multi-disciplinary artist, Aisling Phelan, will work with Tinderbox to upskill the company and actors in the use of new and emerging digital technologies. Aisling is an artist working across 3D animation, photography, video, sculpture, virtual reality, and live interactive technologies. Tinderbox aim to create an A.I. generated character and digital visuals using body sensor technology as well as create visual settings using technology such as 3D Animation and video sculpture. The work produced will be hosted online and the development of the work will be presented to an invited audience.
Ulster Touring Opera (UTO)
Funding amount offered: £10,000
Project title: VR Carbon Women
Carbon Women VR is a retelling of the Andromeda myth through a feminist lens, which will engage audiences with a 360-degree VR experience, immersive spatial audio, and a visually rich animated environment. This new digital art will use audio assets recorded at RedBox studio in Belfast in 2023. The project will involve talented artists including, composer, Áine Mallon, illustrator, Áine Gordon, and immersive technology experts, Dr. Toby Young and Dolby Atmos specialist, Joe Bolger, UTO and its partners Dumbworld and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The overall aim is to push the boundaries of classical music and opera.
Wheelworks
Funding amount offered: £9,930
Project title: Artomaton
Artomaton is a visual art project that uses robotics and software to create dynamic, interactive pieces co-created by the audience. The project aims to inspire discussion about how new technology, such as AI, is reframing what art is and how it can be presented, and how collaboration between artist, technology and audience has the potential to unlock new levels of creativity and an appreciation of art. The finished pieces will be exhibited physically and on various online channels.
The National Lottery Organisations Digital Evolution Awards scheme is now closed with all available funding allocated. For details on all Arts Council funding opportunities visit artscouncil-ni.org/funding