Applications are open for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s National Lottery Project Funding programme. Grants of £10,001 – £75,000 are available for one-year arts projects which contribute to the growth of arts in the community for new and existing audiences, and which reflect the diversity of Northern Ireland’s society and culture.
The deadline for applications is 12 noon, 1 June 2026.
The funding will support activities which benefit the people of Northern Ireland or that help arts organisations based in Northern Ireland to carry out their work.
In addition, the National Lottery Project Funding programme will support projects which: encourage the involvement of children and young people, older people, or people with disabilities with organisations and artists of the very highest professional standards across the disciplines; encourage proposals which will deliver high quality programming in rural areas; encourage the involvement of, and applications with a focus on minority ethnic artists, D/deaf, neurodiverse and disabled artists, emerging artists, working-class artists and LGBTQIA artists; promote innovative, original work by Northern Ireland artists across all artforms.
Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “Thanks to National Lottery funding this programme has reopened for another year to support the development of high-quality arts activities in communities across Northern Ireland.
“Last year’s programme supported a diverse range of projects including the Charles Wood Festival of Music and Summer School in Armagh, the Armstrong Storytelling Trust in Ballymena, Carntogher Community Association in Mid Ulster, Accidental Theatre in Belfast, R-Space Gallery in Lisburn, Bluebell Arts Project in Derry/Londonderry and Portico of Ards in Portaferry.
“This year organisations have four weeks to submit their online application, and we would encourage projects across all art forms to apply, with a particular focus on quality and inclusivity.”
Decisions are expected in July 2026 and applications must be for up to one-year projects taking place between 1 August 2026 – 31 July 2027.
Full details of the programme, eligibility and what you can apply for can be found at National Lottery Project Funding 2026-2027 | Arts Council NI
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