Funding for individual artists now available from Arts Council NI, supported by The National Lottery

The Project Funding for Individuals scheme (PFI) aims to support the wide range of activity that can be undertaken by artists of all disciplines in relation to their practice. Project proposals could, for example, be any of the activities below - or a combination of them:

• Create new work
• Support an individual’s time where this is related to specific creative outcomes
• Research and development time to explore practice and develop work
• Participate in a residency
• Receive mentoring or training
• Professional development activities to improve skills or techniques related to your practice

Applicants can apply for National Lottery grants between £3,000-£10,000 through PFI for proposals taking place between 1 December 2024 and 30 November 2025. Collaborative applications from individual artists working together in cross-discipline or single artform projects/activities are encouraged.

A general summary of the range of schemes under the Support for the Individual Artist Programme which will open over the coming days is given below. Applications for all schemes will be available online soon.

• Project Funding for Individuals (PFI): Artists of all disciplines and in all types of working practice, at all stages of their career, including emerging artists.
• Major Individual Artists : Artists of all disciplines and in all types of working practice who have achieved national or international recognition.
• Artists International Development Fund (AIDF): Artists of all disciplines and in all types of working practice, at all stages of their career, including emerging artists, who have received recognition for their work in Northern Ireland but have not had extensive international experience.
• Minority Ethnic Artists’ Mentoring & Residency Scheme: Artists of all disciplines and in all types of working practice from minority ethnic and migrant backgrounds, including people in need of international protection. Applications from emerging artists are prioritized.
• Young Musicians’ Platform: Classical, jazz, traditional and contemporary singer-songwriter musicians: who are at least 18 years old and up to an age limit of 26 for instrumental players, and 29 for singers; and, who have reached a high standard of public performance.
• Travel Awards: Artists of all disciplines and in all types of working practice, at all stages of their career, including emerging artists.

Guidance Notes and the relevant application forms are available on the Arts Council website. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is committed to offering clear and accessible application processes and programmes that are open to everyone. If an applicant has any access needs and is thinking about making an application, Arts Council NI officers can help to make sure that you’re supported during the application process. Please contact artgrants@artscouncil-ni.org for further assistance.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland welcomes applications from the widest possible range of individuals, representing all categories under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. We particularly welcome applications by disabled artists and by artists from the generally unionist community as applications from both these demographics are currently under-represented across our programmes aimed at individuals.

For more information, eligibility guidelines and to make an application please visit artscouncil-ni.org/funding/funding-for-individuals