ISLAND Arts is delighted to announce that the council is investing in Arts & Cultural delivery across the council area. Financial support for arts and cultural grants and in arts bursaries to develop and support local artists, arts organisations and companies working in the arts and cultural sector and a further investment co-funded by the Department for Communities, for city-based constituted community groups to develop their own arts and cultural events and festivals, all of which seek to develop our city as a cultural destination and place to live and work.
LCCC Arts Grants Scheme
Applications for arts grants to assist arts events, projects or related activities up to £3000 are welcomed from individual artists, (domicilled in or have their base in) and constituted arts organisations, (where project location and beneficiaries are within) the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area.
The Arts Organisation grant closed for applications at 5pm, Friday 28th November 2025 for projects happening between 1st April 2026 and 31st March 2027.
The Individual Artist grant closed for applications at 5pm, Friday 28th November 2025 for projects happening between 1st April 2026 and 31st March 2027.
Making Art in the Communities Grants Scheme (MAC)
Making Art in Communities Funding Programme (MAC) is to support constituted community groups/organisations based in the Council area to participate in, develop to promote the Arts.
MAC will provide funding in a range of artistic categories to raise community awareness about issues, including health promotion, environment and sustainability, urban renewal, rural revitalisation, cultural planning, community strengthening, social inclusion and cultural diversity.
Up to £1500 is available for any one organisation in each financial year.
This grant closed for applications at 5pm, Friday 28th November 2025 for projects happening between 1st April 2026 and 31st March 2027.
Young Artist of the Year Award
LCCC invites applications from young people aged 16-25 years for a financial award of up to £1000 to support arts projects, residencies or approved study, over and above full time second or third level education. All art forms are eligible for the award.
It may also cover the purchase of specialised equipment/materials or to cover travel and attendance at arts events outside of Northern Ireland.
This grant is open for applications and the deadline is extended to 5pm, Friday 30th January 2026 for projects happening between 1st April 2026 and 31st March 2027.
To apply please click on the link below LCCC Young Artist of the Year Award 2026 - lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk
The Young Artist of the Year Award has been awarded in 2025 to Jamie Howe and Beth McAlester to help develop their creative practices.
Awarded Grants 25/26 include:
Arts Organisations
Individual Artists
Making Art in Communities (MAC)