Blick Creative Roundup
Our latest roundup of funding and opportunities for NI Creatives.
01. Groundwork for Growth
Is your business ready to grow into new markets?
Groundwork for Growth supports ambitious and innovative local businesses with the potential to sell outside Northern Ireland. Each successful applicant can receive up to £15,000 in funding to help accelerate business growth.
They have designed the programme to help you target new markets, get your products export ready and upskill your team so you can compete on a global stage.
Successful applicants will also be able to connect with other like-minded business owners.
Closing date: Mon 2nd November 12pm
02. Discover Creative Careers programme
The programme delivers career support for young people considering a job in the creative industries. It is aimed at young people aged 11–24 across the UK, with a particular focus on those from under-represented backgrounds and underserved regions.
Discover Creative Careers are especially keen to get the word out in Northern Ireland and recruit SMEs and freelancers. Eligible organisations can access small grants of £2,000–£5,000, and financial support is available for participating freelancers, providing bursaries of £100 per half-day and £200 per full day, plus £100 for expenses.
Closing date: 30th November
03. National Lottery Individual Artists Digital Evolution Awards
Programme Objectives
– Upskilling NI artists in the use of new media and immersive arts
– Creation of excellent Digital Art*
Programme Priorities
– Creation of digital arts
– Creating opportunities for audiences to experience new media and immersive arts
– Encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration
Closing date: Thu 26th November 12pm
04. Rosy James Memorial Trust Awards
This unique bursary aims to support craft makers in developing their careers by enabling them to create a new body of work that would otherwise be unattainable without funding. This year, the Major Award has increased to £20,000, and they have also introduced three Emerging Maker Awards worth £5,000 each.
The Major Award is aimed at established craftspeople or designer-makers with national or international recognition who are seeking to develop or create ambitious new work. The proposed project should result in a significant creative outcome.
The Emerging Maker Awards are aimed at craft practitioners or designer-makers who are in the early stages of their professional careers within their chosen craft discipline. Applicants should be developing their artistic voice and beginning to establish a reputation and recognition among critics, galleries and other relevant audiences. They will typically have practised professionally for less than five years.
Closing date: Mon 9th November 12pm
05. Green Room Exhibitions – 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 of £150 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: 2nd November
06. QSS Artist Studios’ & Gallery – Open Call for 2027/28 Exhibitions
QSS Artist Studios’ & Gallery are excited to welcome new exhibition proposals for Gallery 1 and Gallery 2
To apply
Interested artists should fill out the Google Form & email between six and eight images of work (as a single PDF) and an artist c.v (as a single PDF) to gallery@queenstreetstudios.net.
This call is open to:
- Artists and curators at all stages of their careers
- Solo/group proposals in any fine art medium
To apply
Interested artists should fill out the Google Form & email between six and eight images of work (as a single PDF) and an artist c.v (as a single PDF) to gallery@queenstreetstudios.net.
Closing date: Sun 1st November 11pm
07. Navigating the Belfast Business Support Ecosystem
In advance of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Belfast City Council are supporting businesses by showcasing Belfast’s businesses support ecosystem.
Everyone is welcome, whether you are at the pre-start stage, running a start-up, or an established business that has been trading for many years. Support is available for businesses at every stage of their journey.
Time:10:00am to 12:30pm
Date: Thursday 12th November
Venue: City Hall
08. Visual Artists Ireland Setting Up as a Self-Employed Artist
Tackling tax as an artist doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Join Visual Artists Ireland online for Setting Up as a Self-Employed Artist, an interactive workshop designed to demystify the Irish Revenue system and give you confidence in managing your professional practice.
Led by Marian McDonald — who brings over four decades of specialist accountancy experience and has supported more than 2,500 artists and craft enterprises — this session takes the fear out of tax and equips you with practical, actionable knowledge.
Key topics covered:
+ The benefits of registering for Income Tax & how to register
+ Claiming tax-deductible expenses & tangible pre-trading costs
+ How to claim Tax Credits
+ Applying for and securing the Artists’ Exemption Scheme
+ Live Q&A for your specific questions
Whether you are newly self-employed or looking to streamline your existing creative business, Marian will help you understand your responsibilities, reduce costs, and know exactly where to turn for support.
Date: Tuesday, 24th November
Time: 10:00am – 12:45pm
Format: Online
09. Midtown Makers Callout For Northern Irish Artists, Crafters, and Makers
Are you a local creative looking for the perfect high street retail location to showcase and sell your handmade work? Midtown Makers Gift Shop in Ballymena has opened the application process for new members.
Established as a vibrant town centre regeneration project by the Ballymena Business Centre, Midtown Makers is home to a community of over 50 creative members from across Northern Ireland. We provide retail space for small local arts businesses, allowing you to display your products under your own business name and branding.
They are accepting applications from the following categories:
- Contemporary Art
- Illustration
- Skincare & Cosmetics
- Cross Stitch
- Leather Work
- Metal Work.
10. The Golden Fleece Award
Funding for artists working in all forms of visual, craft and applied arts. The mission of the Golden Fleece Award is to provide resources for practising contemporary visual artists and makers to innovate and develop their artistic vision.
Closing date: Friday 11th December 5pm
