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    • Hill Street Belfast Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
    • Cotton Court Belfast Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
    • Great Northern Street Belfast South Belfast
    • Working Remotely? Blick’s Business Address Service
  • Virtual Office
  • Residents
    • Great Northern St Residents South Belfast Residents
    • Hill Street Residents Cathedral Quarter Residents
    • Cotton Court Residents Cathedral Quarter Residents
    • Testimonials Hear what past and present think of Blick Shared Studios
  • Events & Support
    • Events & Workshops Find out more about our upcoming events
    • Resources for Creatives Useful resources for helping you grow your creative business
    • Womenfolk Supporting self-employed creative women in Belfast
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  • About
    • The Blick Story
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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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- - 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 (link below and in profile )
https://blickstudios.org/locations/hill-street-belfast/

Feb 17

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17858866071608352
- - 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 (link below and in profile )
 https://blickstudios.org/locations/hill-street-belfast/

- - BLICK CREATIVE RESOURCES - NESTA CREATIVE ENTERPRISE TOOLKIT - -

A great weekend exercise for anyone with an idea for a creative business!

The idea for Blick came during a NESTA https://www.nesta.org.uk/ creative enterprise program in Belfast School of Art in 2006.

We used this toolkit back then and it`s still a great free resource to help you plan, build, test, communicate and launch your new creative business.

You can find this downloadable PDF on the resources section of our website. Link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/resources/nesta-creative-enterprise-toolkit/

Feb 13

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18039710012741760
- - BLICK CREATIVE RESOURCES - NESTA CREATIVE ENTERPRISE TOOLKIT - -

A great weekend exercise for anyone with an idea for a creative business!

The idea for Blick came during a NESTA https://www.nesta.org.uk/ creative enterprise program in Belfast School of Art in 2006.

We used this toolkit back then and it's still a great free resource to help you plan, build, test, communicate and launch your new creative business.

You can find this downloadable PDF on the resources section of our website. Link below and in profile 

https://blickstudios.org/resources/nesta-creative-enterprise-toolkit/

Our latest roundup of opportunities for NI creatives

01. Techstart Regional Innovation Challenge

Deadline: 5pm, Tuesday 17th February 2026

02. Belfast Buildings Trust Creative Belfast internships

Deadline: 20th February 2026

03. Arc’teryx x Ori Women’s Creative Grant
Deadline: 14th February 2026

04. Jerwood Foundation 2026 Funding

Deadline: 2pm, 18th March 2026

05. Atypical Generation Fund

Deadline: 10th March 2026

06.Bank of Ideas Funding

Deadline: 5pm, 23rd March 2026

07. Dragons’ Den: Social Enterprise Edition

Deadline: 5pm, 16th February 2026

08. QEST Grants for Makers and Conservators

Closing date: 18th February

09. Belfast Photo Festival Call for Submissions

Deadline: 2nd March 2026

10. Call to Enter Cinemagic’s ‘On The Pulse’ 2026 competition For Young Filmmakers

Deadline: 20th February 2026

Full details including links on our website (link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/blog/13483/

Feb 12

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17844448131677905
Our latest roundup of opportunities for NI creatives

01. Techstart Regional Innovation Challenge

Deadline: 5pm, Tuesday 17th February 2026

02. Belfast Buildings Trust Creative Belfast internships

Deadline: 20th February 2026

03. Arc’teryx x Ori Women’s Creative Grant
Deadline: 14th February 2026

04. Jerwood Foundation 2026 Funding

Deadline: 2pm, 18th March 2026

05. Atypical Generation Fund

Deadline: 10th March 2026

06.Bank of Ideas Funding

Deadline: 5pm, 23rd March 2026

07. Dragons’ Den: Social Enterprise Edition

Deadline: 5pm, 16th February 2026

08. QEST Grants for Makers and Conservators

Closing date: 18th February

09. Belfast Photo Festival Call for Submissions

Deadline: 2nd March 2026

10. Call to Enter Cinemagic’s ‘On The Pulse’ 2026 competition For Young Filmmakers

Deadline: 20th February 2026

Full details including links on our website (link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/blog/13483/

What`s coming up at Blick over the next couple of months!

Intermediate Poetry Workshop
Event Date(s): February 3rd
Event Time: 6.30 - 8.00pm 
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 65 Great Northern Street, Belfast, BT9 7FL
Cost: £40

Womenfolk Peer Mentoring
Event Date(s): February 24th
Event Time: 7.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

Belfast Writers Group – Creative Writing Workshop
Event Date(s): February 28th
Event Time: 12.00 - 4.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: £12
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Personalised Financial Advice Sessions Derry/Londonderry
Event Date(s): March 5th & 6th 
Event Time: Various
Location: Online
Cost: Free

Pop Culture Poetics
Event Date(s): March 8th
Event Time: 5 - 7pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 65 Great Northern Street, Belfast, BT9 7FL
Cost: £40

Visit the events page of our website for more info link in profile and below

https://blickstudios.org/events/

Feb 11

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17984378345952131
What's coming up at Blick over the next couple of months!

Intermediate Poetry Workshop
Event Date(s): February 3rd
Event Time: 6.30 - 8.00pm 
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 65 Great Northern Street, Belfast, BT9 7FL
Cost: £40

Womenfolk Peer Mentoring
Event Date(s): February 24th
Event Time: 7.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

Belfast Writers Group – Creative Writing Workshop
Event Date(s): February 28th
Event Time: 12.00 - 4.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: £12
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Personalised Financial Advice Sessions Derry/Londonderry
Event Date(s): March 5th & 6th 
Event Time: Various
Location: Online
Cost: Free

Pop Culture Poetics
Event Date(s): March 8th
Event Time: 5 - 7pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 65 Great Northern Street, Belfast, BT9 7FL
Cost: £40

Visit the events page of our website for more info link in profile and below 

https://blickstudios.org/events/

- - THE BLICK STORY PART 2 - 2012 - 2020 - -�

Part 2 of our story at Blick taking us from 2012 - 2020 which seems so long ago now!

This period was probably our busiest, looking back I have no idea how we did it all!

We expanded to the Cathedral Quarter, initially sharing premises with our friends at Flow Yoga, then moving next door to 46 Hill Street and Cotton Court. We also started and managed a creative hub in Derry/Londonderry for 3 years from 2014 for the executive office. We co-founded Belfast Design Week, Womenfolk and Small Town Big Dreams podcast as well as running lots of different events and projects at Blick before everything came to a crahing halt with the pandemic in 2020 which saw us closing our studios for a period and moving Belfast Design Week onto the
streets.

�You can read our full story on our website: �https://blickstudios.org/the-team/the-blick-story/

Feb 10

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18071641700451472
- - THE BLICK STORY PART 2 - 2012 - 2020 - -�

Part 2 of our story at Blick taking us from 2012 - 2020 which seems so long ago now!

This period was probably our busiest, looking back I have no idea how we did it all!

We expanded to the Cathedral Quarter, initially sharing premises with our friends at Flow Yoga, then moving next door to 46 Hill Street and Cotton Court. We also started and managed a creative hub in Derry/Londonderry for 3 years from 2014 for the executive office. We co-founded Belfast Design Week, Womenfolk and Small Town Big Dreams podcast as well as running lots of different events and projects at Blick before everything came to a crahing halt with the pandemic in 2020 which saw us closing our studios for a period and moving Belfast Design Week onto the
streets.

�You can read our full story on our website: �https://blickstudios.org/the-team/the-blick-story/

- - BLICK BUSINESS ADDRESS SERVICE - -

As well as offering physical workspace we also offer virtual office space for creative businesses. You can use our Hill St address for your creative business giving your business a professional public image and keeping your home address private.

We offer 2 different services

Monthly Business Address Service £22.50 (Monthly) £200 (Annually)

At the start of each month we will redirect up to 15 items of regular and standard large letter-sized business mail to the address of your choice. Post beyond the 15 letters will be charged at the price of postage, and the cost will be added to your following bill.

Weekly Business Address Service £30 (Monthly) £300 (Annually)

We will redirect business mail to the address of your choice weekly. Up to 25 items of regular and standard large letter-sized mail per calendar month. Post beyond the 25 letters will be charged at the price of postage, and the cost will be added to your following bill.

For more info email rosy@blickstudios.org or visit our website: https://blickstudios.org/virtual-services/

Feb 6

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18106000954748321
- - BLICK BUSINESS ADDRESS SERVICE - -

As well as offering physical workspace we also offer virtual office space for creative businesses. You can use our Hill St address for your creative business giving your business a professional public image and keeping your home address private. 

We offer 2 different services

Monthly Business Address Service £22.50 (Monthly) £200 (Annually)

At the start of each month we will redirect up to 15 items of regular and standard large letter-sized business mail to the address of your choice. Post beyond the 15 letters will be charged at the price of postage, and the cost will be added to your following bill.

Weekly Business Address Service £30 (Monthly) £300 (Annually)

We will redirect business mail to the address of your choice weekly. Up to 25 items of regular and standard large letter-sized mail per calendar month. Post beyond the 25 letters will be charged at the price of postage, and the cost will be added to your following bill.

For more info email rosy@blickstudios.org or visit our website: https://blickstudios.org/virtual-services/

- - Belfast Stories – Belfast School of Art Year 2 Graphic Design Students X Belfast Design Week Collab Project Site Visit - -

As part of our work for @belfastdesignwk which is happening this May we have been working with @bsoa_graphicdesign Year 2 students on a project that will be showcased in the @belfast_stories building during Belfast Design Week

On Monday this week we visited the Belfast Stories building with the students so they could see the space and plan their designs.

Looking forward to sharing more on the project and the final outputs during Belfast Design Week!

Feb 4

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18034900130771471
- - Belfast Stories – Belfast School of Art Year 2 Graphic Design Students X Belfast Design Week Collab Project Site Visit - -

As part of our work for @belfastdesignwk which is happening this May we have been working with @bsoa_graphicdesign Year 2 students on a project that will be showcased in the @belfast_stories building during Belfast Design Week 

On Monday this week we visited the Belfast Stories building with the students so they could see the space and plan their designs.

Looking forward to sharing more on the project and the final outputs during Belfast Design Week!

- - AVAILABLE WORKSPACE - 1 DESK COTTON COURT CATHEDRAL QUARTER - -

We have one dedicated deskspace available in our Cotton Court shared creative coworking space:

– £130 per dedicated desk per calendar month all inclusive utilities, rates, broadand etc (No VAT)

– 7am – 10.30pm access

– Industrial style building full of creative organisations in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter

– Safe, well-lit Cathedral Quarter location opposite the Merchant hotel

– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract

– 1 months rent required as a deposit

Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit our website (link below and in profile)
https://blickstudios.org/locations/cotton-court-belfast/

Feb 3

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18016512302644470
- - AVAILABLE WORKSPACE - 1 DESK COTTON COURT CATHEDRAL QUARTER - - 

We have one dedicated deskspace available in our Cotton Court shared creative coworking space:

– £130 per dedicated desk per calendar month all inclusive utilities, rates, broadand etc (No VAT)

– 7am – 10.30pm access

– Industrial style building full of creative organisations in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter

– Safe, well-lit Cathedral Quarter location opposite the Merchant hotel

– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract

– 1 months rent required as a deposit

Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit our website (link below and in profile)
 https://blickstudios.org/locations/cotton-court-belfast/

@laurenkelsoillustrator shared her creative story with us back in May last year. Here are 6 Key Lessons from her creative talk to give you some Monday Motivation!

You can read the full writeup on the blog on our website:

https://blickstudios.org/blog/6-key-lessons-from-illustrator-lauren-kelsos-creative-talk/

Feb 2

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17999847908712291
@laurenkelsoillustrator shared her creative story with us back in May last year. Here are 6 Key Lessons from her creative talk to give you some Monday Motivation!

You can read the full writeup on the blog on our website: 

https://blickstudios.org/blog/6-key-lessons-from-illustrator-lauren-kelsos-creative-talk/

BLICK CREATIVE RESOURCES - YearCompass 

As January draws to a close YearCompass is an amazing free downloadable booklet to help you reflect on the past year and plan your next year.

� With a set of carefully selected questions and exercises, YearCompass helps you uncover your own patterns and design the ideal year for yourself. �Learn from your mistakes, celebrate your victories, and set out a path you want to walk on. 

About YearCompass
In 2012 on New Year`s Eve with their friends, they made a booklet with a few questions to help their reflection and it went viral. Since then it`s become an international movement with more than 500+ volunteers from 61 countries. Today the YearCompass booklet is available in 52 different languages. The self-printed version is free to download from the YearCompass website and had 2,000,000 downloads last year.

The core team originates from Hungary working together since 2008 on multiple projects like CodeBerry School, Invisible University, and STEAM Academy. Currently active core team members: Békéssy László, P. Tóth András, Vigh István.

��https://www.instagram.com/yearcompass/�

�

��https://blickstudios.org/resources/yearcompass-free-booklet-to-help-you-reflect-on-the-year/����

Jan 30

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18125321947555471
BLICK CREATIVE RESOURCES - YearCompass 

As January draws to a close YearCompass is an amazing free downloadable booklet to help you reflect on the past year and plan your next year.

� With a set of carefully selected questions and exercises, YearCompass helps you uncover your own patterns and design the ideal year for yourself. �Learn from your mistakes, celebrate your victories, and set out a path you want to walk on. 

About YearCompass
In 2012 on New Year's Eve with their friends, they made a booklet with a few questions to help their reflection and it went viral. Since then it's become an international movement with more than 500+ volunteers from 61 countries. Today the YearCompass booklet is available in 52 different languages. The self-printed version is free to download from the YearCompass website and had 2,000,000 downloads last year.

The core team originates from Hungary working together since 2008 on multiple projects like CodeBerry School, Invisible University, and STEAM Academy. Currently active core team members: Békéssy László, P. Tóth András, Vigh István.

��https://www.instagram.com/yearcompass/�

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��https://blickstudios.org/resources/yearcompass-free-booklet-to-help-you-reflect-on-the-year/����

We thought it would be nice to share a summary of our story here for anyone who doesn`t know much about us, with more info on our team and founders, studios, impact and services to come in the coming weeks!

Our story is so long now since starting in 2007 that we have had to do it in 2 parts! Here is part 1 from 2007 - 2011

We started in 2007 when a group of creatives returning to Northern Ireland from working or studying abroad met on an Ulster University and NESTA course for creative entrepreneurs. We quickly realised the value of working in a room together and also that there weren`t many suitable facilities in Belfast for creative freelancers and small business owners. There were art studios and commercial properties, but not much in between. We soon decided we wanted to set up a shared studio space to work on our creative businesses and soon other creatives started approaching us and the idea for Blick grew from there.
Our ambition with Blick was to create beautiful affordable spaces in great locations in Belfast for professional creatives to work productively and creatively in. Spaces for like-minded creatives to meet and share resources and ideas and support and inspire each other. Spaces that could survive and support creatives long term and be financially sustainable and independent.
As the idea grew and evolved, Christine took over managing Blick while others in the group focused on their own creative businesses. Christine’s sister Rosy came on board as a volunteer initially to manage the financial side of the organisation. Together they have been managing Blick since 2007.
We started with £5000 in a warehouse in the city centre before securing startup funding from Ulster University and Belfast City Council to move into our Malone Studios where we then worked to build a financially sustainable social enterprise model that allows us to support creatives with space, services and support without relying on funding long term.
Now we operate as a non-profit, social purpose offering shared and private studio space to more than 65 creatives across 3 buildings. We also provide virtual office services and run different events and projects to help support creat

Jan 29

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We thought it would be nice to share a summary of our story here for anyone who doesn't know much about us, with more info on our team and founders, studios, impact and services to come in the coming weeks!

Our story is so long now since starting in 2007 that we have had to do it in 2 parts! Here is part 1 from 2007 - 2011

We started in 2007 when a group of creatives returning to Northern Ireland from working or studying abroad met on an Ulster University and NESTA course for creative entrepreneurs. We quickly realised the value of working in a room together and also that there weren't many suitable facilities in Belfast for creative freelancers and small business owners. There were art studios and commercial properties, but not much in between. We soon decided we wanted to set up a shared studio space to work on our creative businesses and soon other creatives started approaching us and the idea for Blick grew from there.
Our ambition with Blick was to create beautiful affordable spaces in great locations in Belfast for professional creatives to work productively and creatively in. Spaces for like-minded creatives to meet and share resources and ideas and support and inspire each other. Spaces that could survive and support creatives long term and be financially sustainable and independent.
As the idea grew and evolved, Christine took over managing Blick while others in the group focused on their own creative businesses. Christine’s sister Rosy came on board as a volunteer initially to manage the financial side of the organisation. Together they have been managing Blick since 2007.
We started with £5000 in a warehouse in the city centre before securing startup funding from Ulster University and Belfast City Council to move into our Malone Studios where we then worked to build a financially sustainable social enterprise model that allows us to support creatives with space, services and support without relying on funding long term.
Now we operate as a non-profit, social purpose offering shared and private studio space to more than 65 creatives across 3 buildings. We also provide virtual office services and run different events and projects to help support creat

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

Jan 27

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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- - 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

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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
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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Blick Shared Studios is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland registration number NIC102158
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