Culture funding

Craft and Design Mentorship Bursaries

We have engaged Craft NI to manage and deliver a developmental opportunity to selected Belfast-based craft and design practitioners.

We are offering six bursaries of £2,000.

The bursaries will enable established practitioners to learn new skills or techniques in relation to their practice, from a mentor of their selection, in a one-to-one capacity.

Who can apply

To be eligible for this award you must:

• be a professional craft and design practitioner
• be resident in or have a studio in Belfast or be able to demonstrate a clear contribution to the Belfast craft or art scene
• have an established professional practice and demonstrate a strong body of work
• wish to develop your creative direction or explore new approaches, and
• be open to critical reflection and challenge through one-to-one mentoring.

How to apply

For more information or to request an application form, email [email protected].

The closing date for submissions is Monday 4 August 2025 at 12 noon.

Bank of Ideas 2025 funding

We held a voting day on 29 June in City Hall with a marketplace of creative and colourful ideas. Groups and individuals presented their ideas to the public. Over 1,000 votes were cast. Through our Bank of Ideas scheme, we will fund these 34 projects:

• Connecting the Deaf Community - Building the Bridge by Anthony Sinclair
• Daytime Disco by Safe Night NI
• Girls' Rock School NI: Weekend Rock Camp Girls' by Rock School NI
• Irish for Artists by Jane Morrow
• Queer Shed Bhéal Feirste by Aoife de Bhál
• South African Culture Celebration by Miss Kay's Health and Wellbeing Projects
• Enchanted Storytime by Dark Forest Theatre
• Critical Mass Bunk Bed Bicycle by Kieran McManus
• Sourbakes: Bakers Crit by Dónal McCaughey
• Joyful Beginner Sticker-making Workshop by Amber Jennings
• Playwriting Intensive by Belfast Playwrights
• Anyone Can… by Betsy Scullion
• Women of Colour Market by Stacy Aluebhosele
• Park Play - Outdoor Theatre workshops for young people by Green Room Productions NI
• Say Hi to Your Neighbours by Fiona Fitwi
• The Art Club by Boom Clap Play
• Larder East Craft Club by Olivia Dee and The Larder
• Dance: Rhythm of life - Free Bollywood, Bhangra and Latin workshops by Binder Tohani
• Viva Mexico: A celebration of Mexican culture in Belfast by Julia Monjaras Feria
• Yoga for all by Martina Klapkova, the Roma Support Hub
• Cultural Sewing by Happy Women's Group
• We Are Belfast: Still We Rise – A Children’s Book of Belonging by Still I Rise Diversity Storytelling
• Moon Gardens and Meadows by Ulster Wildlife Meadow Ladies and Community Garden
• Clonard Community Garden by Clonard Neighbourhood Development Partnership
• Parent and Child Music Fundamentals by Laoise Curtis
• It's A Jungle Out There! by Spectrum Centre
• Retreat Treat - Yoga and Wellbeing by Gill Henderson
• Wear your Voice by David McLearnon and Youth Initiatives Crosslinks
• The People's Pages: Sharing 'Our Belfast' by The Duncairn Writers' Hub
• Creative Self-expression and Storytelling workshops by Corrina Askin
• North Belfast All Ability Olympics by Ashton Centre
• Safe, Strong and Seen by Full Circle Martial Arts
• The Woodland of Wonder by Ligoniel Improvement Association
• Sign and Share: The Makaton Way by Lower Oldpark Community Association

Projects will run from August 2025 to 30 November 2025.

Cultural Multi-Annual Grants

Our Cultural Multi-Annual Grants scheme offers two funding strands. The funding is available for two or four years. Under this scheme, we offer two funding strands which are available for two or four years.

This scheme includes:

Festivals and events grants

For festivals and events:

• four-year (2024-2028)
• two-year (2024-2026)

Arts and heritage grants

For  arts and heritage organisations with a year-round programme of activity:

• two-year (2024-2026)
• four-year (2024-2028)

Four-year festival and events grants awarded in 2024

In April 2024, we awarded four-year grants to the four festivals in this table. Each link opens in a new window.

Two-year festival and events grants awarded in 2024 

In April 2024, we awarded two-year grants to the 15 festivals in this table. Each link opens in a new window.

Four-year arts and heritage grants awarded in 2024

In April 2024, we awarded grants to the ten arts and heritage organisations in this table. Each link opens in a new window.

If you would like information on recent funding awards, case studies of recipients or our guide on cultural funding, contact us by email: [email protected]

Two-year arts and heritage grants awarded in 2024

In April 2024, we awarded two-year grants to the 30 arts and heritage organisations in this table. Each link opens in a new window.

Street Art Mentorship Bursaries

Our Street Art Mentorship Bursaries closed to applications in May 2025.