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  • Events & Support
    • Events & Workshops Find out more about our upcoming events
    • Design Hothouse Residency Find out about our new design residency
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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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Belfast Community Plant Library Team Plant Stories - David Keys Woodworker

Here we get to meet some of the team behind the project and find out about their love of plants and why they wanted to get involved. Today hearing from @d.keyssustainablewoodworking woodworker and creator of the interactive plant installation that will feature in Friday`s Community Plant Library event at Culture Night. The installation has been thoughtfully designed as a living evolving space, using sustainable materials so passersby can interact with the installation adding and taking away plants throughout the event

Sep 14

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18100013258629136
Belfast Community Plant Library Team Plant Stories - David Keys Woodworker

Here we get to meet some of the team behind the project and find out about their love of plants and why they wanted to get involved. Today hearing from @d.keyssustainablewoodworking woodworker and creator of the interactive plant installation that will feature in Friday's Community Plant Library event at Culture Night. The installation has been thoughtfully designed as a living evolving space, using sustainable materials so passersby can interact with the installation adding and taking away plants throughout the event

COMMUNITY PLANT LIBRARY PLANT CLINIC

A special Culture Night drop-in plant clinic with local plant expert @jillydougan is happening this Friday at Bankmore Square as part of our Community Plant Library event.

Jilly will be sharing her knowledge on edible plants, engaging with the public and answering people’s questions on growing and caring for edible plants.

Come along to Bankmore Square on Friday to get some free samples and learn more about plants 🪴 🌱 🌿 🌾 🌵

Sep 14

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18281120473288450
COMMUNITY PLANT LIBRARY PLANT CLINIC

A special Culture Night drop-in plant clinic with local plant expert @jillydougan is happening this Friday at Bankmore Square as part of our Community Plant Library event. 

Jilly will be sharing her knowledge on edible plants, engaging with the public and answering people’s questions on growing and caring for edible plants.

Come along to Bankmore Square on Friday to get some free samples and learn more about plants 🪴 🌱 🌿 🌾 🌵

Belfast Community Plant Library Team Plant Stories - Gardener @jillydougan

Here we get to meet some of the team behind the project and find out about their love of plants and why they wanted to get involved. Starting with gardener @jillydougan who will be hosting a plant clinic for us as part of our event at Culture Night this Friday evening at Bankmore Square

Sep 13

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18488181982096350
Belfast Community Plant Library Team Plant Stories - Gardener @jillydougan

Here we get to meet some of the team behind the project and find out about their love of plants and why they wanted to get involved. Starting with gardener @jillydougan who will be hosting a plant clinic for us as part of our event at Culture Night this Friday evening at Bankmore Square

The Belfast Community Plant Library is a collaborative initiative that connects people, place, plants and creativity.

The Belfast Community Plant Library will pop up at Bankmore Square during Culture Night Belfast 2026 (Friday 18th September, 4pm onwards) and will feature an interactive design installation, workshops and of course, the plant library!

There will also be lots of plant freebies, including Belfast Plant Map, a special zine giveaway, seeds and plants as well as the following activities.

INTERACTIVE PLANT FURNITURE INSTALLTION

At the heart of the project will be an interactive design installation. Designed as a living, evolving space, the installation will invite participation from the public.

The structure will be sustainably manufactured by David Keys Woodworker using environmentally responsible materials.�

PLANT CLINIC

A special Culture Night drop-in plant clinic with local plant expert Jilly Dougan engaging with the public and answering people’s questions on plants and growing and caring for edible plants.

CO-DESIGN WORKSHOP

A community co-design workshop led by One Bite Design Studio will bring together event attendees to collectively shape and build the installation. Participants will be encouraged to contribute plants alongside stories and memories that reflect Belfast’s relationship with plant life and place.

So… come along to learn more about plants, growing and to take, share and swap plants.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Friday 18th September
Time: from 4pm
Venue: Bankmore Square

Everyone is welcome and no advance booking is required.

Sep 13

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17888972244613366
The Belfast Community Plant Library is a collaborative initiative that connects people, place, plants and creativity.

The Belfast Community Plant Library will pop up at Bankmore Square during Culture Night Belfast 2026 (Friday 18th September, 4pm onwards) and will feature an interactive design installation, workshops and of course, the plant library!

There will also be lots of plant freebies, including Belfast Plant Map, a special zine giveaway, seeds and plants as well as the following activities.

INTERACTIVE PLANT FURNITURE INSTALLTION

At the heart of the project will be an interactive design installation. Designed as a living, evolving space, the installation will invite participation from the public.

The structure will be sustainably manufactured by David Keys Woodworker using environmentally responsible materials.�

PLANT CLINIC

A special Culture Night drop-in plant clinic with local plant expert Jilly Dougan engaging with the public and answering people’s questions on plants and growing and caring for edible plants.

CO-DESIGN WORKSHOP

A community co-design workshop led by One Bite Design Studio will bring together event attendees to collectively shape and build the installation. Participants will be encouraged to contribute plants alongside stories and memories that reflect Belfast’s relationship with plant life and place.

So… come along to learn more about plants, growing and to take, share and swap plants.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Friday 18th September
Time: from 4pm
Venue: Bankmore Square

Everyone is welcome and no advance booking is required.

Belfast Plant Stories - Biggest or Silliest Plant Care Mistakes

Ahead of our Community Plant Library event at Culture Night next Friday we asked the people of Belfast for their biggest or silliest plant care mistakes...

You can find details of the event on our website

Sep 13

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18078284870371429
Belfast Plant Stories - Biggest or Silliest Plant Care Mistakes

Ahead of our Community Plant Library event at Culture Night next Friday we asked the people of Belfast for their biggest or silliest plant care mistakes...

You can find details of the event on our website

Belfast Plant Stories - What’s your earliest plant memory?

We asked the people of Belfast what their earliest plant memories are.

Sep 11

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18106539812233421
Belfast Plant Stories - What’s your earliest plant memory?

We asked the people of Belfast what their earliest plant memories are.

Belfast Plant Stories - How Taking Care of Plants Makes You Feel

We asked the people of Belfast how taking care of a living green thing changes their mood and makes them feel

Sep 11

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17972645400133230
Belfast Plant Stories - How Taking Care of Plants Makes You Feel

We asked the people of Belfast how taking care of a living green thing changes their mood and makes them feel

How the idea for Belfast Community Plant Library came about after @karishmasworld and I (Christine) visited Hong Kong in 2024 to create a @belfastdesignwk design installation for the British Council Spark Festival.

When we were in Hong Kong we got a last minute invite to visit Alan Cheung in the beautiful @onebite.design studio and saw their Community Plant Library outside and instantly loved the idea of bringing something similar to Belfast.

As a follow on to our recent Grow Your Own Way project that was all about bringing designers and growers together to explore the potential of supporting residents in Belfast’s Botanic and Holylands areas to grow their own food within the city to improve their health and wellbeing.

We also thought the Plant Library was a great accessible, welcoming intervention that used plants to create new opportunities for interaction and improving wellbeing in the city and thought it would translate very well to Belfast.

We kept in touch and in 2025 Alan and his business partner Sarah Mui visited Belfast then later that year we worked together on our Islands of Design project for Irish Design Week, before finally in 2026 we have found the opportunity thanks to support from Belfast City Council to bring the project to Belfast at our next Design After Dark event during Culture Night on Friday 18th September where we will be at Bankmore Square from 4 - 10pm with lots of plant and design related activities including:

- See and interact with our plant library, bringing and taking away plants

- Share your plant stories and wishes and ideas for a greener Belfast

- Learn about how to care for and grow your own edible plants with our plant expert Jilly Dougan

- Learn how to make your own mini planters with Green: Remake

- Pick up a Belfast Plant Map and Zine, as well as some seeds and planting materials

And much more

This is a free drop-in event, just pop by and say hello!

Sep 9

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18077022308427145
How the idea for Belfast Community Plant Library came about after @karishmasworld and I (Christine) visited Hong Kong in 2024 to create a @belfastdesignwk design installation for the British Council Spark Festival. 

When we were in Hong Kong we got a last minute invite to visit Alan Cheung in the beautiful @onebite.design studio and saw their Community Plant Library outside and instantly loved the idea of bringing something similar to Belfast.

As a follow on to our recent Grow Your Own Way project that was all about bringing designers and growers together to explore the potential of supporting residents in Belfast’s Botanic and Holylands areas to grow their own food within the city to improve their health and wellbeing. 

We also thought the Plant Library was a great accessible, welcoming intervention that used plants to create new opportunities for interaction and improving wellbeing in the city and thought it would translate very well to Belfast.

We kept in touch and in 2025 Alan and his business partner Sarah Mui visited Belfast then later that year we worked together on our Islands of Design project for Irish Design Week, before finally in 2026 we have found the opportunity thanks to support from Belfast City Council to bring the project to Belfast at our next Design After Dark event during Culture Night on Friday 18th September where we will be at Bankmore Square from 4 - 10pm with lots of plant and design related activities including:

- See and interact with our plant library, bringing and taking away plants

- Share your plant stories and wishes and ideas for a greener Belfast

- Learn about how to care for and grow your own edible plants with our plant expert Jilly Dougan

- Learn how to make your own mini planters with Green: Remake

- Pick up a Belfast Plant Map and Zine, as well as some seeds and planting materials

And much more

This is a free drop-in event, just pop by and say hello!

Community Plant Library - Belfast Plant Stories

Exploring Belfast’s relationship with plant life and place through the plant stories of the local community. Plants in some shape or form are an important part of life for most people. Forming some of our earliest memories, helping the environment and positively impacting our health and wellbeing.

As part of the Community Plant Library project we have collected personal plant stories from people across Belfast to explore the different ways plants connect with our lives. On the run up to the event on Culture Night we will be sharing out some of these stories. Starting today by sharing the stories of some of the people from Belfast and why they love plants!

If you love plants let us know why?

Sep 7

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17991855099043755
Community Plant Library - Belfast Plant Stories

Exploring Belfast’s relationship with plant life and place through the plant stories of the local community. Plants in some shape or form are an important part of life for most people. Forming some of our earliest memories, helping the environment and positively impacting our health and wellbeing. 

As part of the Community Plant Library project we have collected personal plant stories from people across Belfast to explore the different ways plants connect with our lives. On the run up to the event on Culture Night we will be sharing out some of these stories. Starting today by sharing the stories of some of the people from Belfast and why they love plants!

If you love plants let us know why?

Design After Dark is an evening celebration of contemporary design in Belfast, delivered as part of @belfastdesignwk and Blick Shared Studios. The programme brings together workshops, talks, installations, studio tours, and exhibitions, offering something for everyone to explore and enjoy.

For our first Design After Dark series, we have curated a series of projects including Design Stories, Design Hothouse Residency, the Belfast Community Plant Library & Food Loves Design.

Join us at @culturenightbelfast on Friday 18th September for our interactive Community Plant Library event at Bankmore Square. More details coming soon!

Event artwork created by our very talented Design Hothouse Residents @rachelcowie_graphics and @beth_schmidt who will share details on the process behind their beautiful artwork in coming weeks.

Design After Dark is kindly sponsored by Belfast City Council

Sep 2

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18493212982097010
Design After Dark is an evening celebration of contemporary design in Belfast, delivered as part of @belfastdesignwk and Blick Shared Studios. The programme brings together workshops, talks, installations, studio tours, and exhibitions, offering something for everyone to explore and enjoy.

For our first Design After Dark series, we have curated a series of projects including Design Stories, Design Hothouse Residency, the Belfast Community Plant Library & Food Loves Design.

Join us at @culturenightbelfast on Friday 18th September for our interactive Community Plant Library event at Bankmore Square. More details coming soon!

Event artwork created by our very talented Design Hothouse Residents @rachelcowie_graphics and @beth_schmidt who will share details on the process behind their beautiful artwork in coming weeks.

Design After Dark is kindly sponsored by Belfast City Council

Our latest roundup of funding and opportunities for NI Creatives.

01. Business Innovation Grant

BIG helps support sole traders, micro-businesses and SMEs in Northern Ireland to develop and bring their innovation activities to market with a grant of up to £20,000.

Closing date: 4th September, 12 noon

 

02.Wear Her Story

Applications are now open for Wear Her Story, a free cross-border creative programme from Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and Glow NI that will help young women aged 16 to 25 explore fashion, heritage, wellbeing and emerging digital technologies.

Closing date: 11th September

 

03. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Offering Visual Artist Residency Opportunity

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is offering a new residency, based at Down Arts Centre in Downpatrick from September 26 to April 27, 2026.

The opportunity is open to a visual artist to provide dedicated time and space to develop their creative practice while engaging with audiences and communities across the district.

Closing date: 9th September

 

04. National Lottery Rural Engagement Arts Programme

You can apply for an award of between £500 and £10,000 for a project, which can last up to one year and can take place on any dates between 1 December 2026 and 30 November 2027.

Deadline: 24th September, 12noon

 

05. InvestNI Leadership and Capability

Develop your strategic leadership capability in order to take your business to new heights.

 

06. Creative Spark Residency Programme 2027

Creative Spark is pleased to offer three Artist-in-Residence opportunities designed to support artistic development, creative exchange, and engagement with our facilities and local community.

07. Creative Belfast Internship

The Belfast Buildings Trust, in partnership with leading cultural organisations, proudly presents the Creative Belfast Internship Programme- the second instalment of a six-month paid internship designed for young people aged 18-25 to gain meaningful experience within Belfast’s vibrant creative and cultural industries.

Deadline: 11th September 5pm

Full listings including links on our website blog

https://blickstudios.org/blog/

Sep 1

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18105739397264752
Our latest roundup of funding and opportunities for NI Creatives.

01. Business Innovation Grant

BIG helps support sole traders, micro-businesses and SMEs in Northern Ireland to develop and bring their innovation activities to market with a grant of up to £20,000.

Closing date: 4th September, 12 noon

 

02.Wear Her Story

Applications are now open for Wear Her Story, a free cross-border creative programme from Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and Glow NI that will help young women aged 16 to 25 explore fashion, heritage, wellbeing and emerging digital technologies.

Closing date: 11th September

 

03. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Offering Visual Artist Residency Opportunity

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is offering a new residency, based at Down Arts Centre in Downpatrick from September 26 to April 27, 2026.

The opportunity is open to a visual artist to provide dedicated time and space to develop their creative practice while engaging with audiences and communities across the district.

Closing date: 9th September

 

04. National Lottery Rural Engagement Arts Programme

You can apply for an award of between £500 and £10,000 for a project, which can last up to one year and can take place on any dates between 1 December 2026 and 30 November 2027.

Deadline: 24th September, 12noon

 

05. InvestNI Leadership and Capability

Develop your strategic leadership capability in order to take your business to new heights.

 

06. Creative Spark Residency Programme 2027

Creative Spark is pleased to offer three Artist-in-Residence opportunities designed to support artistic development, creative exchange, and engagement with our facilities and local community. 

07. Creative Belfast Internship 

The Belfast Buildings Trust, in partnership with leading cultural organisations, proudly presents the Creative Belfast Internship Programme- the second instalment of a six-month paid internship designed for young people aged 18-25 to gain meaningful experience within Belfast’s vibrant creative and cultural industries.

Deadline: 11th September 5pm

Full listings including links on our website blog 

https://blickstudios.org/blog/

The sixth week of our @belfastdesignwk collab  Design Hothouse Residency with @rachelcowie_graphics and @beth__schmidt, this week working on finalising details with Blick resident Alex Synge @thefirst47 for the Design After Dark and Community Plant Library artwork to be ready to launch online in time for @culturenightbelfast on Friday 18th September. Then starting to think about how to exhibit the artwork for Culture Night.

We are excited to officially launch both projects and share Rachel and Beths beautiful artwork online later this week!

Aug 31

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17984085252112423
The sixth week of our @belfastdesignwk collab  Design Hothouse Residency with @rachelcowie_graphics and @beth__schmidt, this week working on finalising details with Blick resident Alex Synge @thefirst47 for the Design After Dark and Community Plant Library artwork to be ready to launch online in time for @culturenightbelfast on Friday 18th September. Then starting to think about how to exhibit the artwork for Culture Night.

We are excited to officially launch both projects and share Rachel and Beths beautiful artwork online later this week!

September is coming, the season of change. We have dedicated deskspaces available in our beautiful Hill St studios for creatives looking for a productive working space in the centre of Belfast`s Cathedral Quarter.
– £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/

Aug 26

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September is coming, the season of change. We  have dedicated deskspaces available in our beautiful Hill St studios for creatives looking for a productive working space in the centre of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter.
– £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/

Week 5 of our new Design Hothouse Residency with Rachel and Beth, this week working on refinement and layout, the micro-adjustments that elevate the artwork from amateur to professional with @belfastdesignwk co-founder @karishmasworld on Tuesday at Queen’s University Students Union and starting to think about creating supporting assets and Checking layouts, colour ways and formatting with Blick Resident Molly Long to finish the week on Friday.

Aug 24

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Week 5 of our new Design Hothouse Residency with Rachel and Beth, this week working on refinement and layout, the micro-adjustments that elevate the artwork from amateur to professional with @belfastdesignwk co-founder @karishmasworld on Tuesday at Queen’s University Students Union and starting to think about creating supporting assets and Checking layouts, colour ways and formatting with Blick Resident Molly Long to finish the week on Friday.

As the seasons change and we move onto new projects here is a summary of some of my favourite bits from Belfast Design Week 2026, I also wrote a blog about it which is on our website (link in profile and below)

https://blickstudios.org/blog/bdw26-my-best-bits/

Aug 21

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17929079481398239
As the seasons change and we move onto new projects here is a summary of some of my favourite bits from Belfast Design Week 2026, I also wrote a blog about it which is on our website (link in profile and below)

https://blickstudios.org/blog/bdw26-my-best-bits/

- - Meet The New Design Hothouse Resident: Beth Schmidt - -

In our latest Meet The Resident we get to know the second of our new Design Hothouse residents @beth__schmidt who is currently working as an architectural assistant @studioidir in East Belfast

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and your creative work?

I work as an architectural assistant at Studio idir in East Belfast, where I contribute to a range of residential and placemaking projects. My work is driven by a passion for community-led design and an interest in re-evaluating food and waste systems, which was a continuous theme throughout my academic work. After graduating from Queen’s University Belfast in 2024, I spent time volunteering for various community-led projects across Europe, engaging in hands-on construction, food preparation, and permaculture farming. This allowed me to create meaningful change on an everyday scale, which I think can be difficult within architectural practice.

Can you tell us why you wanted to take part in the residency

I’m interested in the potential of design in reshaping our cities, which the residency encourages us to explore. The collaborative nature of the project was also important to me – I come from a background of architecture, which is often a very individualistic discipline. Buildings have historically been portrayed as the work and genius of one person, rather than reflecting the vast range of people involved in design and construction processes. I think collaboration enriches design and creates better results, and so I was interested in the opportunity to work with designers from other disciplines throughout the residency.

What would you like to achieve from this residency?

I’d like to explore design within circular economy principles, and create a body of work that is genuinely sustainable and has a positive contribution to the public. I’m also eager to gain experience and insight more generally in delivering the various events, branding, and physical exhibition that the residency links into. Lastly, I’d also like to become more confident in my ability to work within these areas going forward

Aug 19

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- - Meet The New Design Hothouse Resident: Beth Schmidt - -

In our latest Meet The Resident we get to know the second of our new Design Hothouse residents @beth__schmidt who is currently working as an architectural assistant @studioidir in East Belfast 

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and your creative work?

I work as an architectural assistant at Studio idir in East Belfast, where I contribute to a range of residential and placemaking projects. My work is driven by a passion for community-led design and an interest in re-evaluating food and waste systems, which was a continuous theme throughout my academic work. After graduating from Queen’s University Belfast in 2024, I spent time volunteering for various community-led projects across Europe, engaging in hands-on construction, food preparation, and permaculture farming. This allowed me to create meaningful change on an everyday scale, which I think can be difficult within architectural practice. 

Can you tell us why you wanted to take part in the residency

I’m interested in the potential of design in reshaping our cities, which the residency encourages us to explore. The collaborative nature of the project was also important to me – I come from a background of architecture, which is often a very individualistic discipline. Buildings have historically been portrayed as the work and genius of one person, rather than reflecting the vast range of people involved in design and construction processes. I think collaboration enriches design and creates better results, and so I was interested in the opportunity to work with designers from other disciplines throughout the residency.

What would you like to achieve from this residency?

I’d like to explore design within circular economy principles, and create a body of work that is genuinely sustainable and has a positive contribution to the public. I’m also eager to gain experience and insight more generally in delivering the various events, branding, and physical exhibition that the residency links into. Lastly, I’d also like to become more confident in my ability to work within these areas going forward

The fourth week of our Design Hothouse Residency with @rachelcowie_graphics and @beth__schmidt , this week working on reviewing sketches and ideas for custom fonts, layouts, colours and pairing fonts with Blick resident Alex Synge @thefirst47 on Tuesday 11th August. Then a finance and budgeting workshop and second opinion on fonts and artwork direction with Blick Finance and Operations Manager Rosy on Friday.

Aug 18

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The fourth week of our Design Hothouse Residency with @rachelcowie_graphics and @beth__schmidt , this week working on reviewing sketches and ideas for custom fonts, layouts, colours and pairing fonts with Blick resident Alex Synge @thefirst47 on Tuesday 11th August. Then a finance and budgeting workshop and second opinion on fonts and artwork direction with Blick Finance and Operations Manager Rosy on Friday.

We have one private 1 - 2 person studio available in our Cotton Court studios from September
– £295 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband) no VAT
– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract
– 1 months rent required as a deposit
– Industrial style building full of creative organisations
– Cathedral Quarter location opposite the Merchant hotel
– Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit the Cotton Court page of our website (link below and in profile): https://blickstudios.org/locations/cotton-court-belfast/

Aug 17

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17945510661057919
We have one private 1 - 2 person studio available in our Cotton Court studios from September 
– £295 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband) no VAT
– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract
– 1 months rent required as a deposit
– Industrial style building full of creative organisations 
– Cathedral Quarter location opposite the Merchant hotel 
– Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit the Cotton Court page of our website (link below and in profile): https://blickstudios.org/locations/cotton-court-belfast/

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann right on our doorstep in the Cathedral Quarter last week

Aug 12

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Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann right on our doorstep in the Cathedral Quarter last week

- - Meet the new Design Hothouse Resident: Rachel Cowie - -

In our latest Meet The Resident we get to know one of our two new Design Hothouse residents multidisciplinary designer @rachelcowie_graphics

You can also read her interview on the blog on our website link in profile and below:

https://blickstudios.org/blog/meet-the-new-hothouse-resident-rachel-cowie/

Aug 10

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17915543937427675
- - Meet the new Design Hothouse Resident: Rachel Cowie - -

In our latest Meet The Resident we get to know one of our two new Design Hothouse residents multidisciplinary designer @rachelcowie_graphics 

You can also read her interview on the blog on our website link in profile and below:

https://blickstudios.org/blog/meet-the-new-hothouse-resident-rachel-cowie/
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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