Blick Creative Roundup
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.
BIG offers grant support ranging from £5,000 to £20,000 at a grant rate of 70% to help your business advance its innovative projects. You can use the financial support to develop, commercialise, and implement new or improved products, services, or processes.
BIG is delivered by Invest Northern Ireland, in partnership with Innovate NI.
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.
Funded through PEACEPLUS Changemakers, the free 15-month initiative will provide participants with opportunities to explore cultural identity, creativity and wellbeing through digital fashion, digital fabrication and immersive storytelling. No previous experience is needed—just an interest in being creative, meeting new people and learning new skills.
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. The residency reflects the Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting artists and strengthening the creative sector throughout Newry, Mourne and Down.
The successful artist will have the opportunity to develop a new body of work, explore new ideas and approaches and contribute to the vibrant programme of arts and cultural activity taking place across the district. The residency also hopes to provide opportunities for the public to engage directly with the artist and their creative process through activities such as artist talks, demonstrations, workshops or open studio sessions.
Closing date: 9th September
04. National Lottery Rural Engagement Arts Programme
The Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP) aims to help combat isolation and loneliness, promote social inclusion, and improve equality of access and opportunity to arts provision, encouraging greater participation in the arts within all communities.
Groups can apply for one-off projects or for a programme of events. Projects do not have to be new – existing, successful programmes that meet the strategic themes of REAP, are also eligible for support.
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.
Invest NI’s Leadership and Capability solutions provide Northern Ireland businesses with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and improve the business for future growth.
Through their various programmes they offer a combination of learning, challenge and support to help:
Improve and develop your leadership capability in order to lead more effectively
Develop a more ambitious strategic plan for business growth
Create a more strategic and cohesive top team
Develop the capability of your people and operations
Grow your business through innovation, investment, talent development, operational efficiency and exploration of new markets
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. Applications are welcomed from emerging and established artists working in any medium.
Deadline: 17th October
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.
Selected interns will work from the iconic Carlisle Memorial Church, one of Belfast’s most celebrated heritage landmarks, supporting a range of public events such as photography exhibitions, live performances, and more. Interns will collaborate with professionals from partner organisations, including Vault Artist Studios and Belfast Photo Festival, receiving structured mentoring, tailored training, and real-world experience on creative projects.
Deadline: 11th September 5pm
