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| Welcome to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Newsletter
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Pictured is digital artist Ekaterina Solomatina, one of ten artists set to received funding through the National Lottery Individual Artists Digital Evolution Awards. |
£90,000 digital arts investment for artists in NI
Ten individual digital artists have benefitted this month from National Lottery funding through the Arts Council. The investment is part of our National Lottery Individual Artists Digital Evolution Awards, a programme funded by The National Lottery and match funded by Future Screens. Each awardee has completed a boundary-pushing digital art piece; from AI generated environments to depth mapping and motion tracking to VR and 3D printed sculptures.
Find out more about the artists and their exciting new projects in the link below.
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| Read the full story
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Rainbow Writes brings creative writing opportunities to Omagh
We are thrilled to support a new project through our New Small Grants Programme, funded by the Department for Communities (DfC), offering free creative writing workshops at Strule Arts Centre, Omagh.
Rainbow writes: Empowering LGBTQ+ Voices Through Creative Expression is led by award-winning poet and facilitator Cat Brogan and provides one-to-one mentoring, with the opportunity for participants to contribute to a published zine, a podcast and final showcase event. Watch the video above or click for the full story in link below.
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National Lottery Open week
From 7th-15th March, if you have a national lottery ticket, scratch card or instant win game there are special event discounts including free tickets and tours across Northern Ireland.
Find out what’s happening closest to you.
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| ACNI and National Lottery logo usage update | For all National Lottery funded clients, there has been a slight design change to our logos, in particular to the ACNI & NL ‘lock-up’ logo.
The ACNI logo will now come first, positioned to the left of the revised National Lottery crossed fingers logo. You can find the new logo lock-up in various file types on the logo page of our website under both the Funding page and the Resources page, along with the brand toolkit - https://artscouncil-ni.org/resources/acni-logos
Laura Hill lHill@artscouncil-ni.org, our Communications Officer and Grainne McCann, Communications Manager are available for branding queries you may have.
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| Details here
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| Desert Island Poems with Terrance Hayes
Visiting International Poetry Fellow Terrance Hayes comes to Seamus Heaney Centre, Queens University this week on 26th February. The NYC- based poet will be speaking with Nick Laird to discuss his visual and lyric essays, and his poetry and prose work.
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| Book your spot
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| Belfast Children’s Festival 2026
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A firm favourite in the festival calendar, Belfast Children’s Festival has been bringing family fun to the city for almost three decades.
For its 28th year, you and your family can enjoy over 100 events and performances from pop-ups, workshops, lively walkabout characters, storytelling, circus acts, spoken word and music.
A programme which promises to ignite your imagination, no matter your age!
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| Learn more
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| International Women’s Day with Beyond Skin
Beyond Skin have an incredible line-up for this year’s IWD:
6th March – Women Shaping Narrative Event at City Hall, Belfast 7th March - Concert Tarang - Wave of Melodies featuring Iranian musicians and classical musician Pt. Prattyush Banerjee. 8th March - PeacePlus IWD event featuring Music Dance and Art at Queens University Great Hall, 3pm. 9th March - Ulster Bank IWD event, 1pm |
| Find out more
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| Join Tradfest Belfast for St Patrick’s Day Music Festival | 5 days of music, workshops and dance will descend on Belfast’s cathedral quarter for a celebration of traditional arts for this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
A stellar line-up including Dougie McLean, The Bow Brothers, Andy Irvine and more!
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| Details here
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| Model Moments airs
Model Moments aired this month on That’s TV Belfast (Freeview 7 / Virgin 159).
The programme explores the creative work at Belfast Boys’ Model School, one of the nine schools funded through the National Lottery Creative Schools Partnership, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Education Authority.
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| Read the full story
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| Imagine! Festival launch at the Ulster Hall |
Our CEO Roisin McDonough was delighted to attend the launch of this year’s Imagine Festival. In its now 11th year, Imagine! 2026 has a programme with something for all ages, incorporating top artists among scientists and creative practitioners across 120 events in 50 venues.
The festival promises to yet again be a highlight of Belfast and Northern Ireland’s cultural calendar.
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| Learn more
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| Anthem for Dissatisfaction takes the stage in Brussels
Winners of the 2024 Dublin Fringe’s Solas Nua New Voices Award ‘Anthem for Dissatisfaction’ came to the international stage at the iconic Flagey Culture House, Brussels.
A compelling look at the impact of austerity through the eyes of brother and sister twins, bonded through the songs that soundtracked their pivotal moments. A SkelpieLimmer production by Gina Donnelly, directed by Tony Devlin & Gina Donnelly. As part of the Arts Council Brussels Platform. |
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| Sean-Nós na Fearsaide festival
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The festival returns for 2026, Thursday 26th - Saturday 28th of February, celebrating centuries-old Irish musical traditions alive through singing competitions, dance workshops and social events.
Celebrate the rich history of emotive Sean-Nós signing and culture.
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| Details here
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| Scottish Takeover Weekend at the Duncairn
The Inaugural Scottish Takeover weekend kicks off this weekend at the Duncairn, Belfast.
A weekend of world-class Scottish music featuring Rhona Macfarlane, Laura Jane Wilkie and Charlie Grey & Joseph Peach and more, culminating in a family daytime event; Super Sunday Session – Scottish Style.
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Self-care workshops
As part of the Arts and Mental Health Partnership Programme, funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, National Lottery and the Baring Foundation, we will be running 2 x online sessions and 5 x in-person events focused on Self-care in Derry/Londonderry this March.
The sessions aim to offer individual artists practical tools in an open and safe environment, leaving you feeling supported and inspired.
For full details and to book your space, click here - Self-Care Workshops for Individual Artists | Arts Council NI
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| Funding News | |
Belfast Council grants now open to support more music events for under 18s Belfast City Council have announced Teenage Kicks, a new grant scheme, will provide £2,000 of support to venues and promoters to put on more gigs and concerts for under 18s.
Details of the full process, and how to apply by Monday 23 March at 5pm, are on the council website below:
Culture: funding | Belfast City Council
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| Funding News | Source - Open Call for New Photography Work
Grants of between £500 and £3,000 are available for charities and organisations across the UK to deliver music projects that focus on the performance, commissioning, or recording of contemporary music.
Applications that take artistic risks, promote diversity, consider sustainability, or are artist-led are encouraged. Deadline is 13 March 2026.
Find out more - Source Magazine: Thinking Through Photography - Submissions
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University of Atypical – Deaf awareness Workshops in Belfast and Lisburn
| Learn about deaf culture, accessibility and sign language. |
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| Funding News | Introducing The Hogarth Prize: A New Open Call for UK-Based Artists
The Hogarth Prize is calling for art from across the UK with Cash prizes available worth £3,500 in total and a solo show to one artist.
Find out more and apply here - https://artopps.co.uk/opportunities/hogarth-prize
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