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Creative Roundup of Funding, Support, Events & Opportunities for Creatives

Published: October 23, 2023

Worth Partnership Project – Open Call for Creatives

WORTH invites creatives to share their ideas on tech innovation, circular game changer solutions, social impact, or a creative business idea in the lifestyle industries.

WORTH Partnership Project II creates and supports transnational collaborations between designers, creative people, manufacturing enterprises (SMEs), crafters/makers and technology firms looking to develop design-driven and innovative products.

WORTH provides designers, SME manufacturers, crafters and technology firms a platform to develop creative concepts and the opportunity to enter into a transnational partnership. The project is funded by the COSME Programme of the European Union and offers participants funding, a tailored coaching programme, market positioning, networking, professional links and international product showcase.

The project focuses on lifestyle industries, including fashion and textile, footwear, leather and fur, furniture/home decoration/architecture/interior design, jewellery and accessories.

The project provides companies with an incubation programme to develop new businesses, including

10.000 to 20.000 EURO in financial support
Coaching on business strategy and technology development
Legal advice on intellectual property rights and protection
Participation in exhibitions
Networking and professional links
Launched in 2021, WORTH II follows the success of the first edition (2017-2021). 202 transnational partnerships will be selected in three calls for proposals, involving partners from EU-27, UK and COSME countries.

Deadline: 27 November 2023

Website 

 

European Digital Deal – Open Call for Artists

The European Digital Deal invites artists interested in exploring the deep entanglement between new technologies and democracy to apply for one of 12 residencies.

European Digital Deal is a three-year investigation, co-funded by Creative Europe, into how the accelerated, yet at times unconsidered, adoption of new technologies – such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and algorithmic processing – can alter or undermine democratic processes.

Artists are invited to investigate a range of topics, from the notion of truth in the information age shaped by algorithms, biases in AI, techno-anxiety, and the digital divides arising as a result of digitalisation to new forms of surveillance, intelligence, living, citizenship, or work.

The selected artists will receive a 25.000 EUR grant to complete their project, the support of the group of experts around each residency, access to mentorship through an incubation programme, and the chance to show their work at Ars Electronica Festival, Onassis Stegi, and Laboral among many other locations.

Artists interested in applying can join a short presentation of the open call on the 6th of November, 3 PM CET, followed by Q&A sessions with the residency hosts/consortium partners.

Deadline: 30 November 2023

Website

Accelerate Green Business Accelerator

Applications for the 2024 Accelerate Green cohort are now open!

The Accelerate Green programme is a unique, executive level, business accelerator designed to help founders take their green businesses to the next level. Participants meet every two weeks for intense, two day boot camps where they work in a collaborative environment to tackle challenges in their own businesses and gain insights from their peers.

Closing date: 10 November 2023

Website

Creative Sparks Residency

The Creative Spark Residency Programme will provide opportunities for visual artists and art professionals to research and develop their practices. It will support both emerging and established visual artists working in any medium, but will give preference to those artists developing a body of work in a printmaking discipline. Application is by open call and is open to Irish and international applicants. Each residency will be supported by provision of a shared studio space in Creative Spark, along with access to all the facilities and basic technical support.

The residency is 2-3 months in duration and gives artists the opportunity to further establish their practice or to learn another art form. During this time the successful applicant will have a fully fitted studio space with water supply. At the end of their residency, artists will be required to give demonstrations and provide talks on their practice during their residency and donate one piece to Creative Spark archives. The residency should include a community participation element and may conclude with an exhibition of the recipients work locally.

Deadline: 27th October 2023

Website

 


Tackling textiles grant

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful are delighted to announce the launch of the second year of the Tacking Textiles Grant: Skills and Innovation.

They are looking for your ideas that support tackling textile waste through waste prevention, reuse, repair and reimagine.

The production, consumption and disposal of clothing and textiles is a growing environmental issue both locally and globally. Across the UK we are throwing away over one million tonnes of textile waste with up to 300,000 tonnes ending up in landfill or incinerated*.

According to WRAP clothing/textiles has the fourth largest environmental impact after housing, transport, and food.

They are looking for your ideas that help tackle this growing issue.

Grants are available for between £500 to £2,500

Website

Ambition to Grow

Are you a woman business leader or founder in a key decision-making role? Ambition to Grow | Supporting Women programme, supported by Women in Business Northern Ireland, is looking for Northern Ireland’s most innovative and ambitious women-led businesses to take part in a competition to receive up to £30,000 in funding.

Closing date: Friday 10th November

Website

 

Michael McLaverty Short Story Award 2023

The Michael McLaverty Short Story Award offers a significant prize of £2,000 for the winning story. Additionally, each of the two runners-up will receive a prize of £250.

Closing date: 31st October

Website

 

Community Arts Partnership’s Poetry in Motion Anthology ‘Manifest’ – Submissions Open

Welcome to this year’s Poetry in Motion programme—an opportunity for new, emerging and established poets to shine. This year, we’re thrilled to announce the title for our prospective anthology: Manifest

Closing date: 15th Dec

Website

 

Creative Debuts – Black Artists Grant

The Black Artists Grant (BAG) offered by Creative Debuts as a no-strings attached financial support to help black artists. They can spend the grant on whatever they want – be that make new work, buy equipment or materials, travel, research, visit exhibitions or conferences, or to even just cover some life expenses.
This grant has been set up because black artists are systematically under-supported by the art world; by institutions, curators, the artist-led scene, major and minor funding bodies, the market, art schools, and by audiences too.

Website

Boom Studios Trade Monthly Peer Learning Programme

Professional Development for the Arts and Creative sector. This membership provides you with access to themed monthly professional support and development, online and in real life. 1 x co-working session in Boom Studios per month. Access to an online private group of forums members. Monthly emails with sign-posting to relevant opportunities and 6 week website bootcamp.

Monthly cost: £25

Website

Fighting Words NI – Youth Publishing Opportunity

Fighting Words NI are inviting those aged 8-18 years to submit a group story/poem/song/journalism piece, or alternatively submit an individual piece on the theme: Happiness for their next Zine

Deadline: 6th November

Website

 

Access specialist Technical Consultancy support to achieve energy and cost savings for your business.

Invest NI can help identify how your business can save energy, reduce waste and optimise the use of raw materials.

Website

 

Commission Opportunity – University of Atypical

Commissioner: University of Atypical for Arts and Disabilities (UofA) in partnership with the Department of Communities (DfC), is looking to commission a new ceramic artwork to celebrate the UN International Day of People with Disabilities (UNIDPWD).

Eligibility: Open to all artists /ceramicists in Northern Ireland who define as d/Deaf, disabled or neurodiverse.

Commission value: The commission is valued up to £1,200. This fee covers research, design, and production costs.

Deadline: Please submit your proposal to administration@universityofatypical.org by 4.00 p.m. on Friday 27th October 2023.

Website

 

Flying Eye Submissions

Flying Eye are always on the lookout for fresh and unique stories and they believe that they can come from anywhere.

Website

 

InterTradeIreland’s Business Explorer Programme

InterTradeIreland’s new Business Explorer programme can help match you with an expert to help develop your ideas, products, or guide you through a business challenge to identify a solution.

Website

 

Women’s Prize Trust Submissions Now Open

Discoveries invites unpublished and unagented women writers in the UK or Ireland to submit the opening of a novel in English – up to 10,000 words – across any genre of adult fiction for the chance to take part in a bespoke creative writing course, secure personalised mentorship packages, an offer of literary agent representation and a prize of £5000. Unlike most initiatives of this kind, writers are not required to have finished their novel, and Discoveries is completely free to enter.

Closing date: 8th Jan 2024

Website

 


NI Screen training scheme for Virtual Production

Northern Ireland Screen is running a skills development scheme for virtual production between September 2023 and March 2024. The scheme provides training opportunities in the core skills, knowledge and understanding required for VP technical setups, and key on-set roles and activities.

Dates: Sept 2023 – March 2024

Website 

 

Women in Business Building Futures Programme

This free 7 week programme is for women who are not currently in employment – supporting you on how to make money by turning your creative ideas into a small business.

Website

 

Belfast Exposed Photography Courses

Belfast Exposed have a number of photography courses starting late October, November and December including

  • Lightroom basics
  •  An introduction to your digital camera
  • Street photography
  • Documentary photography

Website

 

Immersive Technology Journeys Workshop

As part of its support for innovation and the creative industries through The Belfast Agenda, Belfast City Council is rolling out a new programme: XR Belfast to help businesses build their capacity in using emerging immersive technologies – starting with this free workshop and a mentoring programme.

Following the Creative Capacity workshops, Digital Catapult will provide the opportunity for a limited number of businesses who have attended to pursue one-to-one mentoring.

Those interested in attending should register by email (including company name, full name and company address) to mcgoranb@belfastcity.gov.uk

Date: 9th November

Time: 2-6pm

Location: Ormeau Baths

Website

 

Arts & Business Northern Ireland Events

New Events! Creative Training Bitesized, four brand-new lunchtime learning sessions

How to Get your Voice Heard
Date & Time: 24 Oct 2023, 1pm – 2pm
Cost: A&B NI members 10 +VAT / Standard 20 +VAT
Location: The Black Box Green Room

Website

 

Networking and Connecting
Speaker: Andrea Montgomery
Date & Time: Tues 14 Nov, 1-2pm
Location: Catalyst Arts, Joys Entry

Website

 

Digital Marketing on the go
Speaker: Angela Mahon
Date:  Tues 28 Nov, 1-2pm
Location: Black Box, Green Room

Website 

 

The Five Disciplines of High Performing Teams
Speaker: Anne McMurray
Date: Tues 12 Dec,  1-2pm
Location: Black Box, Green Room

Website

 

Free Online Events for Writers with Women’s Prize Trust and ClassFest

The Women’s Prize Trust and Working Class Writers Festival are delighted to bring you a series of FREE online events for writers. From practical workshops with inspiring authors to panel discussions with publishing industry insiders, mix up your midweek and express your creativity, develop new skills and connect with other writers.

Dates:  1, 8 and 15 Nov

Website

 


Belfast International Arts Festival

Dates: 12 Oct to 5 Nov

Website

 

Belfast Film Festival

Dates:  2 to 11 Nov

Website

 

Belfast XR Festival

Dates: 4th & 5th November

Website

 

Beyond Conference

The 6th annual BEYOND conference is taking place in London this year – join us for a unique gathering of current and future innovators focused on Research and Development across the Creative Industries.

Dates: 21 – 22 November 2023

Location: London

Website

 

 


Seedhead arts -The Incrementals – Holly Pereira

Seedhead Arts chat’s with one of their favourite Street Artists about the meaning of life and other less important bants. Holly Pereira is a Singaporean-Irish illustrator and muralist based in Dublin, Ireland.

Date and time: Wed, 25 Oct 2023 19:30 – 21:00 BST
Location: HJEM.BELFAST, York Street Belfast BT15 1ED

Website

 

Seminar Series: Decision Making for Better Outcomes

Dates & Times: Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 11:00 PM to Friday, October 27, 2023 at 12:30 AM BST

Website

 

How to turn big ideas into reality

Innovation strategists Tamara Carleton and William Cockanye join us live, in conversation with Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy, to share their insights from their new book Building Moonshots: 50+ Ways To Turn Radical Ideas Into Reality.

Date: 16 November 2023

Time: 12:00-13:00

Location: Online

Website 

 

IEF Tenx9 Transform

The Integrated Education Fund is partnering with tenx9 for this free storytelling event. Come along to hear nine people share true stories on the theme ‘Transform’. Or apply to share your story

Date: Thursday 30th November

Time: 7.30 – 9.30pm

Location: Black Box

Website 

 

Exhibition: Recent Pictures by John Coffey

Dates: 4 – 28th Oct

Location: ArtisAnn Gallery

Website

 

Women Techmakers Book Club

This month we are reading Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
Date: Thursday 9th November
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm
Location: Waterstones Cafe 44 – 46 Fountain Street
Website

 

Naughton Gallery For Life Exhibition by American photographer Faith Couch

Dates: 25.10.23 – 03.12.23

Location: Naughton Gallery at Queens

Website

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Looking back before we move into a new month at some of our best bits of 2025!

Jan 27

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18092759824797939
Looking back before we move into a new month at some of our best bits of 2025!

Some Monday motivation to get you through another dreary january week with some great insights from Juliette El Fouly founder of Le Contour https://lecontour.co.uk/ Contemporary Candle Company`s creative talk she did for us back in March.

Full blog on our website link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/blog/6-key-lessons-from-juliette-el-fouly-founder-of-le-contour-contemporary-candle-companys-creative-talk/

Jan 26

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18306420538257153
Some Monday motivation to get you through another dreary january week with some great insights from Juliette El Fouly founder of Le Contour https://lecontour.co.uk/ Contemporary Candle Company's creative talk she did for us back in March.

Full blog on our website link below and in profile 

https://blickstudios.org/blog/6-key-lessons-from-juliette-el-fouly-founder-of-le-contour-contemporary-candle-companys-creative-talk/

BLICK RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES -  Creative Practice 12-month Self-Reflection Exercise

The perfect activity for a miserable January evening. Some useful questions to help you reflect on and plan for your creative practice at the start of a new year

What would you do in your creative practice in the next 12 months if you weren’t afraid?

If you did this what could you learn about yourself? how could you grow even if you aren’t successful?

What are the first steps you could take to make this a reality?

What have you learnt about yourself from your creative practice over the last 12 months?

What do you most complain about in your current creative practice?

If you weren’t allowed to complain about this thing anymore, what action would you have to take?

Which activities, if doubled, would make your creative practice meaningfully better?

Which activities, if halved, would make your creative practice meaningfully better?

Downloadable PDF available on the resources section of our website link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/resources/13155/

Jan 22

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18056926901360241
BLICK RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES -  Creative Practice 12-month Self-Reflection Exercise

The perfect activity for a miserable January evening. Some useful questions to help you reflect on and plan for your creative practice at the start of a new year

What would you do in your creative practice in the next 12 months if you weren’t afraid?

If you did this what could you learn about yourself? how could you grow even if you aren’t successful?

What are the first steps you could take to make this a reality?

What have you learnt about yourself from your creative practice over the last 12 months?

What do you most complain about in your current creative practice?

If you weren’t allowed to complain about this thing anymore, what action would you have to take?

Which activities, if doubled, would make your creative practice meaningfully better?

Which activities, if halved, would make your creative practice meaningfully better?

Downloadable PDF available on the resources section of our website link below and in profile 

https://blickstudios.org/resources/13155/

Super cosy in our Hill St studios this evening working under the eaves with the sound of the rain on the roof 🌧 🌧

Jan 21

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Super cosy in our Hill St studios this evening working under the eaves with the sound of the rain on the roof 🌧 🌧

2016 looking back it’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years. A lot of changes with moves to new studios and so many events and projects and people in the last 10 years!

Our studios:

Back in 2016 we had studios both in 52 and 46 Hill Street - it was lovely to share no 52 with the yogis! We also had a space up in Derry/Londonderry in Ebrington and our Studios on the Malone Road.

It was a busy year for events working with lots of wonderful creative people in Northern Ireland including:

- Blick Academy for Creative Startups

- Share 6 inspirational talks for creative entrepreneurs

- 25 Pop-Up shop for designers

- The Faculty workshops and courses

- Creative Business Bootcamp

- The second year of Belfast Design Week (pic from Designedby organised by Jessica Fok for Belfast Design Week)

- Graduate residency programme

We are still involved with some of these events which is lovely 10 years later!

Jan 19

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17941297871984299
2016 looking back it’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years. A lot of changes with moves to new studios and so many events and projects and people in the last 10 years!

Our studios:

Back in 2016 we had studios both in 52 and 46 Hill Street - it was lovely to share no 52 with the yogis! We also had a space up in Derry/Londonderry in Ebrington and our Studios on the Malone Road.

It was a busy year for events working with lots of wonderful creative people in Northern Ireland including:

- Blick Academy for Creative Startups

- Share 6 inspirational talks for creative entrepreneurs

- 25 Pop-Up shop for designers

- The Faculty workshops and courses

- Creative Business Bootcamp

- The second year of Belfast Design Week (pic from Designedby organised by Jessica Fok for Belfast Design Week)

- Graduate residency programme

We are still involved with some of these events which is lovely 10 years later!

Our latest roundup of opportunities for creatives in Northern Ireland

01. Four Nations International Fund
Arts and culture thrive on international collaboration and exchange. The Four Nations International Fund helps artists and creative practitioners from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales collaborate with each other and with partners around the world.

02. Visual Arts Ireland Building a Sustainable Practice and Career
Catherine Hemelryk shares her experience on building a sustainable practice  and career relationships both within the art world and beyond. This webinar will take a practical and doable approach to the topic and she brings her experience of what to do and what not to do!

03. Sunflowers Sellers Market 
Applications are open for the second Sunflower Sellers Market on Sunday 8th March at Sunflower Public House

04. Creative Ireland – Shared Island grant calls 

The Creative Ireland Programme is delighted to announce three new funding calls to a combined value of €4.6 million supporting creativity, connection and wellbeing across the island of Ireland.

05. Reclaim the Agenda – International Women’s Day 2026 poster competition
The theme for 2026 is ‘Strength in Solidarity’. There are two age categories 12 -17yrs and 18 – 25yrs The winner will receive £100 prize and two runners-up will receive £50 each. Deadline for entries is January 31st, 2026

06. Ards and North Down Individual Artist Grant 
What is available?
A maximum grant of £250 is available.
DEADLINE: Monday 9 February 2026, 11:59pm (sharp)
 

07. Artist Development Session: A Funding Practical Workshop (Hybrid Event)
How to get your arts funding application over the line.
Date: Monday 26 January
Time: 2-5pm
Venue: Hybrid event online and Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL

Full listings including links on our website blog link below and in profile!

https://blickstudios.org/blog/january-creative-roundup/

Jan 16

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18165140926396082
Our latest roundup of opportunities for creatives in Northern Ireland

01. Four Nations International Fund
Arts and culture thrive on international collaboration and exchange. The Four Nations International Fund helps artists and creative practitioners from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales collaborate with each other and with partners around the world.

02. Visual Arts Ireland Building a Sustainable Practice and Career
Catherine Hemelryk shares her experience on building a sustainable practice  and career relationships both within the art world and beyond. This webinar will take a practical and doable approach to the topic and she brings her experience of what to do and what not to do!

03. Sunflowers Sellers Market 
Applications are open for the second Sunflower Sellers Market on Sunday 8th March at Sunflower Public House

04. Creative Ireland – Shared Island grant calls 

The Creative Ireland Programme is delighted to announce three new funding calls to a combined value of €4.6 million supporting creativity, connection and wellbeing across the island of Ireland.

05. Reclaim the Agenda – International Women’s Day 2026 poster competition
The theme for 2026 is ‘Strength in Solidarity’. There are two age categories 12 -17yrs and 18 – 25yrs The winner will receive £100 prize and two runners-up will receive £50 each. Deadline for entries is January 31st, 2026

06. Ards and North Down Individual Artist Grant 
What is available?
A maximum grant of £250 is available.
DEADLINE: Monday 9 February 2026, 11:59pm (sharp)
 

07. Artist Development Session: A Funding Practical Workshop (Hybrid Event)
How to get your arts funding application over the line.
Date: Monday 26 January
Time: 2-5pm
Venue: Hybrid event online and Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL

Full listings including links on our website blog link below and in profile!

https://blickstudios.org/blog/january-creative-roundup/

6 Key Lessons From Juliette El Fouly Founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company’s Creative Talk Last March

Juliette founder of @lecontourcandles shared her creative story with us back in March last year. Here are 6 Key Lessons from her creative talk to give you fresh inspiration ✨️

 

1. You are not your business

To cope with the inevitable hard times when starting a creative business try to keep some separation between you and your business and don’t over-identify with it.
 

2. Use every business experience as a personal learning opportunity

Ask yourself what you can learn personally from every experience. How can you grow? How can you improve? How can this experience help you? Make you stronger, wiser, happier, a better person?
 

3.Diversify your income streams

Try not to rely on the income from one product or service, it can leave your business vulnerable. For example Juliette spoke of her initial product being recreated and mass produced by a chinese manufacturer and how she lost almost all of her business overnight. This led her to make the decision to diversify her income streams to different products as well as candle-making workshops.
 

4. Invest in your branding and packaging

Particularly if you are developing a product for a saturated market like candles. Make the purchase of your products an experience and help your product stand out from the crowd.

5. Realise early on that you can’t do everything

Part of successfully running a creative business is knowing when to stop or step back or take a break. There is always more you could do, so you need to set some boundaries around your business and accept that you can’t do everything.

6. Setbacks are inevitable. Being able to pick yourself up and try again is key

Being resilient and able to cope with challenges and setbacks and pick yourself up and try again is key to successfully running a creative business. Juliette shared her experience of losing almost all of her business overnight when a Chinese manufacturer copied her product. After this she had to either give up, or accept her current situation, pick herself up and use it as a learning experience and start again.

Jan 14

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18434231635110109
6 Key Lessons From Juliette El Fouly Founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company’s Creative Talk Last March

Juliette founder of @lecontourcandles shared her creative story with us back in March last year. Here are 6 Key Lessons from her creative talk to give you fresh inspiration ✨️ 

 

1. You are not your business

To cope with the inevitable hard times when starting a creative business try to keep some separation between you and your business and don’t over-identify with it.
 

2. Use every business experience as a personal learning opportunity

Ask yourself what you can learn personally from every experience. How can you grow? How can you improve? How can this experience help you? Make you stronger, wiser, happier, a better person?
 

3.Diversify your income streams

Try not to rely on the income from one product or service, it can leave your business vulnerable. For example Juliette spoke of her initial product being recreated and mass produced by a chinese manufacturer and how she lost almost all of her business overnight. This led her to make the decision to diversify her income streams to different products as well as candle-making workshops.
 

4. Invest in your branding and packaging

Particularly if you are developing a product for a saturated market like candles. Make the purchase of your products an experience and help your product stand out from the crowd.

5. Realise early on that you can’t do everything

Part of successfully running a creative business is knowing when to stop or step back or take a break. There is always more you could do, so you need to set some boundaries around your business and accept that you can’t do everything.

6. Setbacks are inevitable. Being able to pick yourself up and try again is key

Being resilient and able to cope with challenges and setbacks and pick yourself up and try again is key to successfully running a creative business. Juliette shared her experience of losing almost all of her business overnight when a Chinese manufacturer copied her product. After this she had to either give up, or accept her current situation, pick herself up and use it as a learning experience and start again.

- - SHARED CREATIVE WORKSPACE AVAILABLE - -

We have dedicated deskspaces available in our beautiful Hill St studios:

– £165 per calendar month

– All inclusive prices (rent, rates, utilities, broadband) no VAT

– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract

– 1 months rent required as a deposit

– Cathedral Quarter location

Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit our website for more info: 

https://blickstudios.org/locations/hill-street-belfast/

Jan 13

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18005813903685711
- - SHARED CREATIVE WORKSPACE AVAILABLE - -

We have dedicated deskspaces available in our beautiful Hill St studios:

– £165 per calendar month

– All inclusive prices (rent, rates, utilities, broadband) no VAT

– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract

– 1 months rent required as a deposit

– Cathedral Quarter location

Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit our website for more info: 

https://blickstudios.org/locations/hill-street-belfast/

Easing into the new year and making plans, by looking back at some of our favourite bits from 2025!

01. Nurture
One of our favourite bits of 2025 was our Nurture Programme where thanks to the kind support of Belfast City Council we were able to support 3 emerging artists.

02. Creative Talks
At Blick we always love hearing the stories of other creatives. Last year we heard the stories of the following creatives.
- Ian Pitt Founder and Creative Director of Me,Him&Her Design Studio
- Juliette El Fouly Founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company
- Illustrator Lauren Kelso
- Artist & Illustrator Danni Simpson
- Ciaran Crudden Creative Director of The Last Brand

03. Creative Workshops
We hosted some fab creative workshops with some brilliant local creatives last year on topics including:
- How to DIY Your Brand with Laura Whitehouse founder of Mighty Fine Design
- Strategic Goal Setting with visual practitioner Stéphanie Heckman
- Adventures in ChatGPT and Creative Audio  with Graeme Watson and Katya Buryakova founders of Homewerk

04. One Bite Studio Visit
In April 2025 we had a lovely few days touring around Belfast with Alan and Sarah from One Bite Design who we met in Hong Kong in October 2024.

05. Creative Brunch with Innovate UK Business Growth
An inspiring brunch event for creatives in our Hill St studios.

06. Creative Adventure Club with Homewerk
We loved collaborating with our friends at Homewerk for this new project.

07. Ulster University Enterprise Placement Year Retail Ready Fieldtrip 
In October we also had the pleasure of organising and hosting this for a group of creative students.

08. Arts Council of Northern Ireland Finance Fair
In November we were delighted to deliver one-to-one 30 minute sessions helping artists to take control of their finances.

09. Womenfolk
In 2025 we started a great new collaboration with @kitschsistersbelfast

10. Irish Design Week
We worked on a @belfastdesignwk project for @irish_designweek in collaboration with onebite design and @futureislandisland to showcase creative projects and stories from the islands of Rathlin, Ireland and Hong Kong at an evening of design talks and exhibition

Jan 12

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17850076338620305
Easing into the new year and making plans, by looking back at some of our favourite bits from 2025!

01. Nurture
One of our favourite bits of 2025 was our Nurture Programme where thanks to the kind support of Belfast City Council we were able to support 3 emerging artists.

02. Creative Talks
At Blick we always love hearing the stories of other creatives. Last year we heard the stories of the following creatives.
- Ian Pitt Founder and Creative Director of Me,Him&Her Design Studio 
- Juliette El Fouly Founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company 
- Illustrator Lauren Kelso 
- Artist & Illustrator Danni Simpson 
- Ciaran Crudden Creative Director of The Last Brand 

03. Creative Workshops
We hosted some fab creative workshops with some brilliant local creatives last year on topics including:
- How to DIY Your Brand with Laura Whitehouse founder of Mighty Fine Design
- Strategic Goal Setting with visual practitioner Stéphanie Heckman 
- Adventures in ChatGPT and Creative Audio  with Graeme Watson and Katya Buryakova founders of Homewerk 

04. One Bite Studio Visit
In April 2025 we had a lovely few days touring around Belfast with Alan and Sarah from One Bite Design who we met in Hong Kong in October 2024. 

05. Creative Brunch with Innovate UK Business Growth
An inspiring brunch event for creatives in our Hill St studios. 

06. Creative Adventure Club with Homewerk
We loved collaborating with our friends at Homewerk for this new project.

07. Ulster University Enterprise Placement Year Retail Ready Fieldtrip 
In October we also had the pleasure of organising and hosting this for a group of creative students. 

08. Arts Council of Northern Ireland Finance Fair
In November we were delighted to deliver one-to-one 30 minute sessions helping artists to take control of their finances. 

09. Womenfolk
In 2025 we started a great new collaboration with @kitschsistersbelfast

10. Irish Design Week
We worked on a @belfastdesignwk project for @irish_designweek  in collaboration with onebite design and @futureislandisland to showcase creative projects and stories from the islands of Rathlin, Ireland and Hong Kong at an evening of design talks and exhibition

Happy Christmas from all of us at Blick!

Dec 23

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Happy Christmas from all of us at Blick!

For anyone who hasn’t finished (or started) their Christmas shopping our latest Creative Roundup features 12 markets and shops you still have time to visit to support local creatives this Christmas

01. Portview Christmas Market
Opening dates & times:

Friday 19th December 6 – 10pm

Saturday 20th December 12 – 4pm

Venue: 310 Newtonards rd, Belfast, Belfast, Antrim BT4 1HE

 

02. Cathedral Quarter Christmas Sunday Art Market

Date: Sunday 21st December 10am – 3pm

Venue: Hill Street, Cathedral Quarter Belfast

 

03. St George’s Market

Opening dates &  times:

Monday 22 Dec 9–3

Tuesday 23 Dec 9–3

Wednesday 24 Dec 8–2

 

04. Belfast Christmas Market
Runs to December 22nd at Belfast City Hall, open Mon-Wed (10am-8pm), Thu-Sat (10am-10pm), and Sun (12pm-6pm).

 

05. Born & Bred
Unique gifts and accessories, created by artisans and craftspeople in Northern Ireland based on Ann Street, Belfast.

 

06. Story Box
Storybox, a Belfast-based social enterprise, sources and sells ethical gifts from local makers, social enterprises, and sustainable brands

Address: Storybox Shop, Unit D2 Portview Trade Centre, 310 Newtownards Rd, Belfast BT4 1HE

 

07. Hunter Paper Co
Hunter Paper Co. is an independent business based in Belfast, Northern Ireland producing luxury letterpress stationery, greetings cards and more

Address: 255 Upper Newtownards Rd, Belfast BT4 3JF

 

08. Maven
Belfast shop features modern furniture, lighting, homeware and gifts from some of the world’s leading design brands as well as smaller independent makers.

Address: The Bank, 364 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 6GL

 
09. Craft NI Gallery Shop
Shop from some of Northern Ireland’s many talented designer-makers!

Address: 115, 119 Royal Ave, Belfast BT1 1FF

10. Belfast School of Art Artshop
Open until 20th December

Address: York Street, Belfast


11. Duncairn Art Shop
Drop in to shop amazing and affordable prints, T-shirts, unique crochet creations, cards and jewellery amongst other things

Address: Duncairn Avenue, Belfast, Co Antrim BT14 6BP

12. Wrapped up
Unique gifts, souvenirs, jewellery and art. Locally made by artists across Ireland.

Addresses: Lisburn and Ormeau Road and Castlecourt

Dec 19

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For anyone who hasn’t finished (or started) their Christmas shopping our latest Creative Roundup features 12 markets and shops you still have time to visit to support local creatives this Christmas

01. Portview Christmas Market
Opening dates & times:

Friday 19th December 6 – 10pm

Saturday 20th December 12 – 4pm

Venue: 310 Newtonards rd, Belfast, Belfast, Antrim BT4 1HE

 

02. Cathedral Quarter Christmas Sunday Art Market

Date: Sunday 21st December 10am – 3pm

Venue: Hill Street, Cathedral Quarter Belfast

 

03. St George’s Market

Opening dates &  times:

Monday 22 Dec 9–3

Tuesday 23 Dec 9–3

Wednesday 24 Dec 8–2

 

04. Belfast Christmas Market
Runs to December 22nd at Belfast City Hall, open Mon-Wed (10am-8pm), Thu-Sat (10am-10pm), and Sun (12pm-6pm).

 

05. Born & Bred
Unique gifts and accessories, created by artisans and craftspeople in Northern Ireland based on Ann Street, Belfast.

 

06. Story Box
Storybox, a Belfast-based social enterprise, sources and sells ethical gifts from local makers, social enterprises, and sustainable brands

Address: Storybox Shop, Unit D2 Portview Trade Centre, 310 Newtownards Rd, Belfast BT4 1HE

 

07. Hunter Paper Co
Hunter Paper Co. is an independent business based in Belfast, Northern Ireland producing luxury letterpress stationery, greetings cards and more

Address: 255 Upper Newtownards Rd, Belfast BT4 3JF

 

08. Maven
Belfast shop features modern furniture, lighting, homeware and gifts from some of the world’s leading design brands as well as smaller independent makers.

Address: The Bank, 364 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 6GL

 
09. Craft NI Gallery Shop
Shop from some of Northern Ireland’s many talented designer-makers!

Address: 115, 119 Royal Ave, Belfast BT1 1FF

10. Belfast School of Art Artshop
Open until 20th December

Address: York Street, Belfast
 

11. Duncairn Art Shop
Drop in to shop amazing and affordable prints, T-shirts, unique crochet creations, cards and jewellery amongst other things

Address: Duncairn Avenue, Belfast, Co Antrim BT14 6BP

12. Wrapped up
Unique gifts, souvenirs, jewellery and art. Locally made by artists across Ireland.

Addresses: Lisburn and Ormeau Road and Castlecourt

Very grateful to work in such a beautiful part of the city especially at this time of the year. Thanks to all the local busineses for doing such lovely Christmas decorations, makes such a difference to the area!

Dec 17

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Very grateful to work in such a beautiful part of the city especially at this time of the year. Thanks to all the local busineses for doing such lovely Christmas decorations, makes such a difference to the area!

Thanks to Rachael Armstrong @rachaelpaintsweddings one of our Great Northern Street residents for painting this lovely Christmas window in our Great Northern Street studios!

Dec 16

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Thanks to Rachael Armstrong @rachaelpaintsweddings one of our Great Northern Street residents for painting this lovely Christmas window in our Great Northern Street studios!

Thanks to @rachaelpaintsweddings one of our Great Northern Street residents for painting this lovely Christmas window in our Great Northern Street studios!

Dec 11

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Thanks to @rachaelpaintsweddings one of our Great Northern Street residents for painting this lovely Christmas window in our Great Northern Street studios!

Last month at Blick!

Dec 10

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Last month at Blick!

Our beautiful Hill St studios. Hill St is a lovely cobbled street right in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter there are lots of arts and cultural organisations as well as bars and coffee shops and of course the art college nearby!

Our studios are based in an historic loft building, complete with original beams and pulley system! It has high ceilings a lovely wooden floor and lots of light and plants of course!

Our Hill St studios can also be used as a virtual office for creatives who want a professional city centre address for their business.

You can find more information on our Hill St studios and available workspace on our website link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/locations/hill-street-belfast/

Dec 4

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Our beautiful Hill St studios. Hill St is a lovely cobbled street right in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter there are lots of arts and cultural organisations as well as bars and coffee shops and of course the art college nearby!

Our studios are based in an historic loft building, complete with original beams and pulley system! It has high ceilings a lovely wooden floor and lots of light and plants of course!

Our Hill St studios can also be used as a virtual office for creatives who want a professional city centre address for their business.

You can find more information on our Hill St studios and available workspace on our website link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/locations/hill-street-belfast/

Our latest roundup of local and international funding, support & opportunities for NI creatives

01. Illustrators North Smile Please Exhibition

Illustrators North are super excited to announce that they are doing their very first Illustrators North Annual exhibition celebrating their fantastically talented members and friends, here in Northern Ireland!

The exhibition is happening on December 4th Late Night Art Belfast at the Black Box Belfast from 6pm onwards!

02. WeBuild Programme

WeBuild is open to applications from across the island of Ireland. WeBuild is for ambitious women founders and entrepreneurs who have identified a significant problem with global potential and are developing tech-powered products or platforms to solve it.

Closing date: Tuesday 9th December 12pm

03. Creative Ireland Programme

The Creative Ireland Programme is delighted to announce three new funding calls to a combined value of €4.6 million supporting creativity, connection and wellbeing across the island of Ireland

04. Belfast City Council Vacant to Vibrant

Belfast City Council has secured an additional £700k in capital funding to extend the Vacant to Vibrant Citywide scheme (excluding the city centre). Please note that the scheme operates citywide but excludes the city centre boundary.

Applications are now open for this new round of funding, contact vacanttovibrant@belfastcity.gov.uk to request an application pack.

05. Design Generators Funding

Apply for funding to combine design-led interventions with arts and humanities methodologies to make positive contributions to the green transition.

Opening date: 2 February 2026 9:00am UK time
Closing date: 9 April 2026 4:00pm UK time

06. Creative Lives Micro Grant

Creative Lives’ latest micro-grant competition is all about the power of networks, and how partnerships can help groups achieve things they couldn’t on their own.

Tell them your story, and they will give a £250/€290 micro-grant to their favourite! They are particularly keen to hear from grassroots, community-led creative groups who, through a partnership, have been able to carry out projects previously out of reach.

Deadline: Friday 12 December 2025

Dec 3

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Our latest roundup of local and international funding, support & opportunities for NI creatives

01. Illustrators North Smile Please Exhibition

Illustrators North are super excited to announce that they are doing their very first Illustrators North Annual exhibition celebrating their fantastically talented members and friends, here in Northern Ireland!

The exhibition is happening on December 4th Late Night Art Belfast at the Black Box Belfast from 6pm onwards!

02. WeBuild Programme

WeBuild is open to applications from across the island of Ireland. WeBuild is for ambitious women founders and entrepreneurs who have identified a significant problem with global potential and are developing tech-powered products or platforms to solve it.

Closing date: Tuesday 9th December 12pm

03. Creative Ireland Programme

The Creative Ireland Programme is delighted to announce three new funding calls to a combined value of €4.6 million supporting creativity, connection and wellbeing across the island of Ireland

04. Belfast City Council Vacant to Vibrant

Belfast City Council has secured an additional £700k in capital funding to extend the Vacant to Vibrant Citywide scheme (excluding the city centre). Please note that the scheme operates citywide but excludes the city centre boundary.

Applications are now open for this new round of funding, contact vacanttovibrant@belfastcity.gov.uk to request an application pack.

05. Design Generators Funding

Apply for funding to combine design-led interventions with arts and humanities methodologies to make positive contributions to the green transition.

Opening date: 2 February 2026 9:00am UK time
Closing date: 9 April 2026 4:00pm UK time

06. Creative Lives Micro Grant

Creative Lives’ latest micro-grant competition is all about the power of networks, and how partnerships can help groups achieve things they couldn’t on their own.

Tell them your story, and they will give a £250/€290 micro-grant to their favourite! They are particularly keen to hear from grassroots, community-led creative groups who, through a partnership, have been able to carry out projects previously out of reach.

Deadline: Friday 12 December 2025

November was another busy month for us at Blick. 

We started the month by facilitating a Finance Fair for the @artscouncilni on Friday 7th November in the MAC. 

On Wednesday evenings we hosted @homewerk.project for their Creative Adventure Club in our Hill St studios 

We worked with @kitschsistersbelfast to put on a Creative Affirmations Cards workshop for creative women. 

We finished the month with taking part in an Ideas Lab panel discussion in Ulster University Belfast for their Students as Entrepreneurs programme.

It was also @irishdesignweek from 17th - 21st November. For that we worked with @belfastdesignwk @onebite.design and @futureislandisland to put on a series of design talks on the theme Islands of Design in Belfast School of Art.

We worked with Future Island-Island and Belfast Design Week to organise a design workshop for architecture students from both Ulster University and Queens University facilitated by onebite design in the beautiful Kitsch Sisters Workshop Space in Olive Tree House.

We also helped organise a popup design exhibition of Future Island-Island design fellows work alongside 10 emerging designers on the ground floor of Belfast School of Art and the @architecturenorthernireland Design Box that ran throughout Irish Design Week.

https://blickstudios.org/blog/last-month-at-blick-november/

Dec 2

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November was another busy month for us at Blick. 

We started the month by facilitating a Finance Fair for the @artscouncilni on Friday 7th November in the MAC. 

On Wednesday evenings we hosted @homewerk.project for their Creative Adventure Club in our Hill St studios 

We worked with @kitschsistersbelfast to put on a Creative Affirmations Cards workshop for creative women. 

We finished the month with taking part in an Ideas Lab panel discussion in Ulster University Belfast for their Students as Entrepreneurs programme.

It was also @irishdesignweek from 17th - 21st November. For that we worked with @belfastdesignwk @onebite.design and @futureislandisland to put on a series of design talks on the theme Islands of Design in Belfast School of Art. 

We worked with Future Island-Island and Belfast Design Week to organise a design workshop for architecture students from both Ulster University and Queens University facilitated by onebite design in the beautiful Kitsch Sisters Workshop Space in Olive Tree House. 

We also helped organise a popup design exhibition of Future Island-Island design fellows work alongside 10 emerging designers on the ground floor of Belfast School of Art and the @architecturenorthernireland Design Box that ran throughout Irish Design Week.

https://blickstudios.org/blog/last-month-at-blick-november/

Do one thing at a time and be present and focus on quality of time over quantity of time.

Some Monday motivation and great advice from Rachael Armstrong @rachaelpaintsweddings , a portrait artist, Blick creative resident and busy mum of young children on overcoming her biggest hurdle as a new creative business owner - time limitations and `mummy guilt`.

Especially good to remember as we move into the month of December and the busy festive period.

Rachael did an interview for us earlier this year which you can read on our website blog (link in profile)

Dec 1

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Do one thing at a time and be present and focus on quality of time over quantity of time.

Some Monday motivation and great advice from Rachael Armstrong @rachaelpaintsweddings , a portrait artist, Blick creative resident and busy mum of young children on overcoming her biggest hurdle as a new creative business owner - time limitations and 'mummy guilt'.

Especially good to remember as we move into the month of December and the busy festive period.

Rachael did an interview for us earlier this year which you can read on our website blog (link in profile)

In this ‘Meet the Resident’ we get to know portrait artist Rachael Armstrong, one of our Great Northern Street creative residents! you can also read the full blog on our website

Nov 27

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In this ‘Meet the Resident’ we get to know portrait artist Rachael Armstrong, one of our Great Northern Street creative residents! you can also read the full blog on our website
Our locations:

Blick Shared Studios, Hill Street

46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
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Blick Shared Studios, Cotton Court

30-42 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2ED
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Blick Shared Studios, Great Northern St

65 Great Northern Street, Belfast, BT9 7FL
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02890137395 info@blickstudios.org
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