Community Foundation Northern Ireland – The Thomas Devlin Fund (UK)

The Fund provides an annual bursary scheme to support the development of applicants with a particular talent in their chosen career path of either music, performing arts or creative arts (including fine arts and literary art), to financially assist them to develop their skills and knowledge and help them move up to the next level in their journey.

Over the last seventeen years the bursaries have supported 110 young people in a range of diverse activities, including:

• Assisting an aspiring young artist to attend Arts College in London to pursue a career in Art & Design as well as Photography;
• Funding a young girl to attend a Prosthetics and Special Effects Makeup summer school for a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with a top Hollywood makeup artist;
• Assisting a local dancer hoping to work with the Birmingham Royal Ballet;
• Funding living costs in London so a recipient could take part in a summer National Youth Theatre production;
• Attending a 2-week residential cello course in Minnesota;
• Assisting a young girl to attend The Amy Geddis fiddle course in Scotland

Fund Aim

• The aim of the Fund’s bursary scheme is to fund unique opportunities and activities above and beyond the ordinary, that will stimulate, encourage and inspire the young beneficiaries to enhance their prospects for their future and succeed in their particular field. They are particularly interested in supporting young people who may not have access to such opportunities.

Funding Information

• In 2024, the Fund will offer grants of up to £1,750.
• The Fund would particularly welcome innovative creative arts projects (including fine arts and literary art).

Criteria

You will need to demonstrate the following, within the application form:

• Prospect for development of your potential
• Your need for financial assistance – They strongly encourage your referee to support your application and clearly articulate why you should receive a bursary.
• How the award will make a difference to your own life and to others in your community.
• The application form should be completed by both yourself and your teacher/tutor/youth or support worker and returned to the Community Foundation.
• Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

The Fund will not support

• Equipment costs
• Formal tuition fees
• Mobile app design/development or games design/development.

For more information, visit The Community Foundation Northern Ireland.