Creative Roundup of Funding, Support, Events & Opportunities for Creatives
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Flying Eye Submissions
Flying Eye are always on the lookout for fresh and unique stories and they believe that they can come from anywhere.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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
Networking and Connecting
Speaker: Andrea Montgomery
Date & Time: Tues 14 Nov, 1-2pm
Location: Catalyst Arts, Joys Entry
Digital Marketing on the go
Speaker: Angela Mahon
Date: Tues 28 Nov, 1-2pm
Location: Black Box, Green Room
The Five Disciplines of High Performing Teams
Speaker: Anne McMurray
Date: Tues 12 Dec, 1-2pm
Location: Black Box, Green Room
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
Belfast International Arts Festival
Dates: 12 Oct to 5 Nov
Belfast Film Festival
Dates: 2 to 11 Nov
Belfast XR Festival
Dates: 4th & 5th November
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
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
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
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
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
Exhibition: Recent Pictures by John Coffey
Dates: 4 – 28th Oct
Location: ArtisAnn Gallery
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
Share article:
Another chance to see some of the pics from our @womenfolk.co JUNIOR.SENIOR event we hosted last month!
Jul 23
Here we meet and get some advice and insights one of our newist creative residents at Blick video editor Ben O’Neil
Jul 22
Due to an insanely busy period of work and travel, this is a very belated post on some of the key lessons from our last Blick Academy Creative Talk on 5th June with Saul Duffin founder of @yeomagazine
We have a full event writeup on our blog with lots more tips and insights from Saul and lessons he has learned throughout his creative journey! (Link to blog in profile) ✨️
Jul 16
Here we meet and get some advice and insights one of our newist creative residents at Blick video editor Ben O’Neil.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your creative work?
I’m a video editor who predominantly works in non-scripted television. Currently working on a two part documentary series for Amazon Prime
What was the biggest hurdle for you starting out and how did you overcome it?
Getting in the door. I didn’t know anyone in tv so the biggest hurdle was getting my name about and then getting hired to work on something. I made lots of tea for years then convinced someone to let me edit a small thing.
How do you stay inspired and motivated?
Watching good stuff
What do you wish you had known before starting out?
Everyone is faking it a little bit.
What’s your top tip/piece of advice for anyone wanting to follow a creative path?
Be prepared to fail and then get back up and try again. Also practice your craft as much as humanly possible.
Do you have any regrets or anything you wish you had done differently on your creative journey?
Too many to list probably. Still working on that part.
Where can people find you online?
I’m thoroughly offline but my email is mebenoneil@gmail.com
Jul 8
NI CREATIVE HUBS MEETUP #3 BANGOR
This is the third meetup for creative hubs in Northern Ireland to come together, connect, share ideas, and support each other. This time in sunny Bangor, where we will be visiting:
Boom Studios @boom.studios
Seacourt Print Workshop @seacourtprints
The Courthouse @courthousebangor
If you are involved with running or working in a creative hub in Northern Ireland, we would love for you to join us at this our third meetup.
This series of events is a collaborative project between Blick Shared Studios and Boom Studios
�Book your ticket on our website (link in profile) ✨️
Jul 2
Some pics 📸 from our @womenfolk.co JUNIOR.SENIOR event on Saturday 15th June with @wee.nuls and @majukooo sharing their creative stories ✨️
Jul 1
Happy Friday! It`s almost the weekend... some lovely light in our Cotton Court Studios earlier this week! Let`s hope we see more of it over the weekend 🌞 ☀️ 🌤
Jun 28
Last week I was very lucky to get to attend this year’s Hubs Meet Up Bautopia 4 Metamorphosis organised by the European Creative Hubs Network with the support of STPLN , the hosting hub in Malmö, Sweden.
This year’s Hubs Meetup was exclusively for European Creative Hubs Network members and was a three day event focusing on creative hubs and their current topics of interest and challenges. This year, it was all about delving into the transformations of our communities, the built environment around us and the impact of creators on designing how we live where we live. As well as the amazing opportunities for peer learning from and connecting with other creative hubs here are a few of the things I found interesting from the meetup talks:
Collaboration - is key, but people need to learn how to collaborate as it`s not a skill that’s traditionally taught in schools, colleges or universities.
Unlearning - we need to unlearn old ways of working to relearn new ways of working.
Cross-sector collaboration - will have a role to play in green and social transformation and future innovation, bringing together artists, creatives and industry. Creatives have different ways of thinking, methods and processes and are capable of shaping something new in lots of different ways.
CITY ECOLOGY WALK
We also got to take part in a city walk organised by Feral a creative studio and research platform for ecology in urban spaces which was a lovely way to get some fresh air, find out a bit more about the city, it’s heritage and ecology.
Some of the places we visited on the walk:
1. Traditional Herring Shacks
2. Traditional Herring Fishing Boats
3. Turning Torso
4. Redeveloped Industrial Seafront Area
SOCIAL IMPACT WORKSHOP
I also took part in an amazing social impact workshop, which I will share more on in coming days. Giving me lots of new tools and methods for measuring our impact here at Blick. I especially loved the advice that it`s ok to include anecdotal evidence including stories and observations, to build a broader picture of the real human experience and impact of your organisation. I`m looking forward to going through the process properly for Blick in coming months!
Jun 27
Thanks again to everyone who came to our last Blick Academy talk last Wednesday evening. We have our Womenfolk JUNIOR.SENIOR event this Saturday then will be taking a little break from events over the summer while we get ourselves organised for Autumn/ Winter when we are hoping to also introduce some more practical workshops. Let us know if there is anything you would like us to cover!
Jun 14
Some pics from our latest Blick Academy creative talk with Saul Duffin founder of @yeomagazine Thanks so much to Saul for a brilliant talk and to everyone who came along. Full event write up to come shortly!
Jun 10
Just over a week to go until our Womenfolk JUNIOR.SENIOR event on Saturday 15th June with two amazing creative women sharing their stories!
SENIOR SPEAKER: ESTABLISHED CREATIVE - NUALA CONVERY - @wee.nuls
Wee Nuls (Nuala) is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative director based in Belfast. She works in a number of mediums including spray paint, hand drawn and digital illustration, and printmaking. Wee Nuls street art murals can be seen across Belfast and have become a part of the visual identity of the city over the past few years. She is inspired by challenging gender inequalities, beauty ideals, sexism, and raising awareness for feminist issues in a playful way.
JUNIOR SPEAKER: EMERGING CREATIVE - MAJA SZOTKIEWICZ - OWNER OF MAJUKOOO - @majukooo
Maja Szotkiewicz is the founder of Majukooo (selling her illustrated stationery, prints and jewellery online) , and is currently in her final year of her Graphic Design and Illustration undergraduate degree at Ulster University. Maja`s work is inspired by everyday, imperfect moments, as she believes finding beauty in the mundane is the key to true happiness. Maja has been featured in Belfast Telegraph`s 30 under 30 list in 2024, was a finalist at the NI Social Media Awards in the `Entrepreneurial Student of the Year` category in 2023 and has her products stocked in 49 stockists in the UK, Ireland, US and Canada.
EVENT DETAILS
Event Date(s): June 15, 2024
Event Time: 11.30am
Location: Blick Shared Studios, Hill Street, Belfast BT1 2LB
Book through website (link in profile) 🌼 🌸 ♥️ ✨️
Jun 7
"I made a magazine directed at my 16-year-old self, who felt like there wasn’t anything cool happening in the city."
"Like most creative people, my work is a reflection of who I am and what my interests are. I love music, comedy, art and design so I have always loved to fuse those things together."
��"I don’t think I’d change much as the failures and mistakes were probably the most valuable part of the experience."
Looking forward to hearing Saul`s story at tonight`s sold out Blick Academy Creative Talk!
If you can`t make tonight`s event and want to find our more about Saul, we did an interview with him that you can read on our website ✨️(link in profile)
Jun 5
A quick summary of the month of May at Blick! you can find details on everything on our website! Link in profile 🌟 🌟 🌟
Jun 4
Happy Monday! Start the week by checking out our latest roundup of funding, support, opportunities, events, exhibitions and festivals for NI creatives.
Read the full listings including links on our blog on our website (link in profile)
Jun 3
Another chance to find out a bit more about Saul Duffin founder of YEO magazine who is speaking at our next Blick Academy event next Wednesday evening at 7pm in our Hill St studios!
You can read the full interview on our blog or get your free tickets on our website!
May 31
Less that a week to go until our next Blick Academy Creative Talk with Saul Duffin, founder of YEO Magazine, sharing his creative story and only a couple of tickets left!
EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): June 5, 2024
Event Time: 7pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free
Book on our website ✨️ (link in profile)
--
May 30
Our latest roundup of funding, support, opportunities, events, exhibitions and festivals for NI creatives.
FUNDING AND SUPPORT
- Design Academy Adapt Fashion Industry Program Collaboration Between VORN - The Berlin Fashion Hub and Zalando
- Invest NI Ambition to Grow Programme - Up to £45000 Funding
- Design Competition Ukraine
- Student Invent - £2500 Prize Pot
- Artist Residency Frac Grand Large/ Hauts-de-France Dunkirk
- Northern Ireland Screen New Writer Focus
- Northern Ireland Screen Short Film Call - £6000 - £22000 Funding for Individuals and Companies
- Applications Open: August Craft Month 2024
- Craft NI Gallery Maker Call Out 2024
- Áras Éanna Residency
- 143rd RUA Annual Exhibition
- Sailortown Festival Smartphone Photography Exhibition
- Digital Arts Studios STARTS4WATERII Residencies – Open call for artists
- Belfast Potters market Applications Open
- The National Lottery Support for Individual Artists Programme – Travel Awards
EVENTS
Northern Ireland Screen Writing for Readers - Screenwriting with Steve Brooks via Zoom
Wed 29 May
12 - 2pm
Goal Planning with Groove: Get The Damn Thing Done!
Thu 30 May
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM EDT
Online
Social Media Safety for Creatives and Professionals
Mon 3 Jun
3:30 – 4:30 PM EDT
Online
Blick Academy Creative Talk: Saul Duffin Founder of YEO Magazine
Wed 5 Jun
7pm
Blick Studios, Hill St
Digital Horizon Masterclass: “Integrating Captioning into Creative Work”
6 June 2024
10.30am – 4.30pm
Ledger Studio, University of Atypical
The Circle: Let`s Talk About Imposter Syndrome
Wed 12th June
6 - 8pm
Oh Yeah Centre
The Power of Podcasting
Thu 13 Jun
9:30 - 11:30 am
Innovation Factory
Digital Horizon Masterclass: “Build your own Online Platform”
Thu 13 Jun
10.30am – 4.30pm
Ledger Studio, University of Atypical
Womenfolk JUNIOR.SENIOR
Sat 15 June
11.30am
Blick Studios, 46 Hill Street
An evening with Brendan Mooney MBE
Wed 19 June
Ulster University, York Street
5:30pm - 7:00pm
EXHIBITIONS
Usfolk 6
23rd May to 2nd June
The Naughton Gallery
Belfast School of Art 175 Degree Shows
Dates: 7th June Opening Night
8th - 22nd June
Read the full listings including links on our website ✨️
May 28
Off for the bank holiday and wanting to work on your creative business idea? The next exercise on our resources for creatives section on our website is now available to view and download
Exercise 4 - Understanding Your "Why" or Your purpose
Your “Why” or purpose is the reason you have formed your creative practice boiled down to a single sentence (or two). This exercise will help you to understand your purpose and communicate it to the world.
Downloadable PDF and Word Versions available on our website ✨️ (link in profile)
May 27