We`re very excited for our next Creative Talk on Wednesday 15th October at 7pm with Ciaran Crudden who used to be one of our creative residents at Blick before his business outgrew our space!

Ciaran is a really lovely guy and the founder and creative director of The Last Brand a creative studio committed to crafting brands that capture imaginations and inspire meaningful consumer interactions. Ciaran is a senior creative with over 15 years’ experience across branding, experiential, art direction and motion design. His work focuses on uncovering the visual and verbal threads that connect and resonate with audiences. Known for bold ideas and thoughtful execution, Ciaran blends strategy with creativity to craft brand communications and experiences that are both distinctive and authentic.

In this talk, Ciaran will reflect on his creative journey, offering insights into different projects, valuable lessons learned, and the real-world experience of running an independent creative studio. You can find out more about Ciaran and see his work on his website The Last Brand

Here we are also sharing some examples of his design and branding work for the drinks industry

If you would like to come along to hear Ciaran share his creative story on Wed 15th October at 7pm in our Hill St Studios you can sign up for free on our website (link in profile)

Great to see Culture Night back in the Cathedral Quarter on Friday night!

This week`s weekend reading! a write-up of 10 key lessons from the wonderful talk Ian Pitt, founder and creative director @mehimandherdesign did for us way back in February!

You can also read the full write-up on our blog (link in profile)

Our next creative talk is on Wednesday 15th October with Ciaran Crudden founder and creative director of The Last Brand. You can book your free ticket on the events page of our website 🌟 🌟

* CREATIVE ROUNDUP - OPPORTUNITIES FOR CEATIVES *

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

01. RAD Fund BFI Doc Society Research & Development Fund

BFI Doc Society Funds support and nurture independent non-fiction films and immersive projects by UK filmmakers: prioritising expansive, director-led storytelling. Open to applications on a rolling basis.

02. Immersive Arts – UK-Based Artists – Funding Opportunity

The final round of Immersive Arts is now open. This opportunity is for UK-based artists to apply for grants to Explore, Experiment, or Expand their work using immersive technologies.
Closing date: 29th September

03. BBC Three invites Indies to pitch Current Affairs Documentaries for YouTube and BBC iPlayer

This opportunity is for five qualifying indies to each make one 30 minute single current affairs documentary. The stories must be primarily set in the UK, and they will be working with their colleagues across the BBC Nations where relevant.
They would like the films delivered from February 2026.

Closing date: 6th October 2025

04. Event – Looking After the Artist / Facilitator

A workshop and panel discussion exploring how we look after ourselves, so we can take care of others while we’re creating.
Hosted by Creative Lives’ staff member and community musician, Seonaid Murray.
Free, but pre-booking is essential.
Date: 17th September
Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Venue: Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, BT27 4RL

05. Black Box Green Room Exhibition Open Call

The Black Box is looking for artists for their monthly exhibitions in The Green Room. Each month they feature a different artist in their multidisciplinary performance and exhibition space. The callout is open to visual artists working in any media. The Black Box does not take commission on sales and featured artists are paid a fee for their time.
For consideration, please submit a single PDF containing an artist statement/bio, statement of work proposed, a link to a website or social media accounts, and a selection of 6-10 high quality images to exhibitions@blackboxbelfast.com

Closing date: 10th Oct

Full listings including links on our blog

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
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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.

Prices below show the Monthly Rate which is paid quarterly and the Yearly Rate

UK Based Creative Business
£22.50
£200

UK Based Non-Creative Business
£30
£300

EU Based Creative Businesses
£30
£300

EU Based Non-Creative Businesses
£40
£400

Weekly Business Address Service
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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.

Prices below show the Monthly Rate which is paid quarterly and the Yearly Rate

UK based Creative Business
£30
£300

UK based Non-Creative Business
£40
£400

EU based Creative Businesses
£40
£400

EU based Non-Creative Businesses
£50
£500

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

Meet our newest creative resident in our Great Northern Street studios Portrait Artist - Rachael Armstrong @rachaelpaintsweddings

You can also read her full interview on our blog on our website (link below and in profile) 🎨 🖌

https://blickstudios.org/blog/meet-the-resident-portrait-artist-rachael-armstrong/

- - 1-3 PERSON PRIVATE STUDIO AVAILABLE FROM OCTOBER IN OUR COTTON COURT STUDIOS - -

We have one private 1 - 3 person studio available in our Cotton Court studios from October

– £325 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

Link in bio and here https://blickstudios.org/locations/cotton-court-belfast/

Did you know Blick is set up as a non-profit social enterprise? We put the profits generated from our workspace and services back into supporting the local creative community! Here is a summary of some of the impact of our work from March 2024 - February 2025

You can read more about our impact on our website link below and in profile:

 https://blickstudios.org/the-team/our-impact/

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- - THE STORY OF BLICK- -

It`s hard to believe, it seems like only yesterday, but we started Blick 17 years ago way back in 2007 with a group of other creatives who wanted to come together to create a great workspace for creatives in Belfast. 

Our ambition was to create beautiful but affordable spaces for creatives to work in. Spaces for like-minded creatives to meet and share resources, ideas and inspiration. Spaces to build a sense of community and encourage, support and inspire each other.

Blick now operates as a non-profit creative workspace in Belfast, Northern Ireland offering dedicated desks, private studios, and business address services. Spread across three beautiful buildings, we also provide events and tailored support to help creatives thrive.
Blick now provides creative shared workspace and private studio space to more than 65 creatives across 3 different buildings in Belfast as well as virtual office services to over 90 creatives.
We are currently busy settling into our new Great Northern Street studios and we have a whole variety of talks and workshops happening for local creatives which you can see over on our Website events page. We also have different projects and programs, as well as regular blogs including links to funding and opportunities for creatives and lots of downloadable resources to help you start and grow your own creative business which you can find on our website (www.blickstudios.org)

Here`s a summary of some of the major parts of our story over the last 17 years, you can also read it on our website

https://blickstudios.org/the-team/the-blick-story/