Individual Artists Digital Evolution Awards (UK)

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland welcomes applications from the widest possible range of individuals, representing all categories under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. They particularly welcome applications by disabled artists and by artists from the generally unionist community as applications from both these demographics are currently under-represented across their programmes aimed at individuals.

Priorities

• Creation of digital arts
• Supporting artists to make digital art for the first time or working with digital technology which they have not used before.
• Encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration

Funding Information

• The budget for the programme is £80,000.
• The maximum award value will be £10,000.

What you can apply for?

• Here are some examples of the type of project they are aiming to support through this scheme, this list is far from exhaustive.
  • Creation of a virtual environment or augmented reality environment; such as augmented reality visual arts or sound overlay on venues or geographical spaces.
  • Using technology, such as 3D rendering and printing, to create artwork digitally which can either exist digitally or be manufactured into 3D physical objects.
  • Using technology to translate data into artistic content; for example algorithms that create music or visual content from data input.
  • App development for the delivery of artistic content; this could include gamification or making an artistic experience for consumption on digital devises. (note: this does not include streaming of filmed/recorded performances)
• Here are some examples that would not be considered through this scheme:
  • Filmed theatrical or musical performances for online or offline distribution
  • Audio recording of music or literature recitals for online or offline distribution
  • Photography or filming of visual arts pieces for online or offline purposes

What you cannot apply for?

• Activities that are not arts related
• Film or video production, purchase of assets for film and video, unless they are part of a piece of digital native art.
• CD/Album production costs
• Fees for training courses of any kind, short or long-term, including further or higher education courses, or any related expenditure, eg travel, accommodation etc.
• Activities where contracts have been entered into before they issue a letter of commencement. They do recognise that certain preliminary work needs to take place, but advertising of projects in advance of a Council decision is undertaken at the individual’s own risk.
• Capital costs over 20% of the grant award. Any requests for hardware or software up to 20% of the grant award, integral to project delivery will be reviewed on a case-bycase basis by assessors.
• Activities or events which duplicate what already exists.
• Costs already covered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland or other funders.

Who can apply?

• Eligible applicants to this scheme are as follows:
  • Individual artists of all artistic disciplines and all types of working practice.
  • Artists who are employees of statutory bodies (including Universities), undergraduates and postgraduates are eligible to apply but they must prove that their proposal is not properly the concern of their employer/or that the proposal is not related to their academic study.
  • Partnership projects with creative industries freelancers or organisations are possible; however the individual artist must be the lead partner.
• Eligible applicants must also be:
  • Resident in Northern Ireland
  • Have made a significant contribution to artistic activities in Northern Ireland for a minimum period of 1 year within the last 5 years
  • At least 18 years old and not in secondary education.
• Collaborative applications from individual artists working together in cross-discipline projects/activities are encouraged. One application form should be used for the complete collaborative project. You must provide information on the artistic practice of all artists that are involved in the project.
• Single artform collaborations are also eligible and your project may include creative industries freelancers with skills in relevant technologies to contribute towards the delivery of the project.

Who can not apply?

• Eligible applicants who received an Individual Artists Digital Evolution award in 2022/23 or 2023/24
• Applicants who have broken the conditions of any previous ACNI award and applicants who remain in breach of any previous letters of offer (regardless of the letter of offer date).

For more information, visit Arts Council of Northern Ireland.