National Lottery funding to support artists from minority ethnic backgrounds is now available

The Creative Progression Scheme, formerly the Minority Ethnic Artists Mentoring and Residency Scheme, will support artists and creative practitioners from minority ethnic backgrounds, particularly those who have experienced structural barriers linked to racialisation, migration, and displacement.

Applications are welcomed from artists at any stage of their career for up to £5,000. Projects must take place between 1 October 2026 – 30 September 2027 and could include:

• Creating new work
• Supporting an individual’s time where this is related to specific creative outcomes
• Research and development time to explore practice or develop work
• Facilitation of innovation and experimentation
• Receiving mentoring
• Participating in a residency, and
• Professional development activities that improve network access.

For more details on how to apply and eligibility please visit artscouncil-ni.org/funding-for-individuals/creative-progression

The Creative Progression scheme supports ACNI’s strategic outcome ‘A sector that develops, looks after its people, and is more inclusive’, as outlined in the Arts Council ‘s 10-Year Strategic Plan.

Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “Thanks to National Lottery funding this scheme will open access to support and allow us to invest in the artistic development, skills development, and career progression for artists and creative practitioners, who self-identify as having a minority ethnic background and/or are migrant, across all career stages.”

This funding is part of the Support for Individual Artists Programme (SIAP), which provides funding to support individual artists, working across all artforms, both at home and internationally, and at different stages in their career. While artists may apply to more than one programme, only one grant will be awarded in any one funding round.

For information on the other funding support for individual artists visit artscouncil-ni.org/funding/funding-for-individuals