Funding

The Community Festivals Fund (CFF) was established in recognition of the potential contribution that festivals can make to communities, the local economy and wider government priorities.

The fund aims to support the development and capacity of locally run festivals by providing support and training to make them less reliant on public funding in addition to offering funding towards the costs of events. The fund enables community organisations to celebrate their cultural identity and strengthen community relations while promoting equality and targeting poverty and social inclusion.

A minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £3,500 is available for any one organisation in each financial year.

This grant closed for applications at 5pm, Friday 28th November 2025 for festivals happening between 1st April 2026 and 31st March 2027. 

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.

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.

This grant closed for applications at 5pm, Friday 28th November 2025 for projects happening between 1st April 2026 and 31st March 2027.

This award enables a local writer to spend a week at the popular Summer School in Armagh enjoying a varied programme of talks, readings and workshops led by a host of internally renowned writers and speakers (food and accommodation are included).

This grant is open for applications and the deadline is extended to 5pm, Friday 30th January 2026. Summer School will be held in July 2026.

To apply please click on the link below

The John Hewitt International Summer School Residency Award 2026 - lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

This bursary allows a successful Artist to spend two all-inclusive weeks at the prestigious Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Co Monaghan. This idyllic artists’ retreat play host to artists from around the world working in a variety of art forms.

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 

The Tyrone Guthrie Centre Regional Bursary Scheme 2026/27 - lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

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 28th November 2025 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

Anna Cheyne Visual Art Award 2026

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is proud to launch the Anna Cheyne Visual Art Award 2026, celebrating the centenary of the birth of Northern Irish artist, Anna Cheyne (1926–2002).

Key Information & Funding Details

The competition operates as a purchase award, meaning the council will buy the winning artwork(s), adding them permanently to its art collection and providing tangible support to the artist.

To be eligible, candidates must be 25 years or older and demonstrate a strong connection to Northern Ireland, meeting one of the following criteria: born in Northern Ireland, be a current resident, or have parent(s) born in Northern Ireland. Submissions will be judged on Originality, Creativity & Innovation, and Quality of Execution.

Mandatory Entry Procedure and Key Dates

Artists must adhere to the following simple, but essential, steps.

• Entry Form Deadline: The official entry form must be received first, as no artwork can be submitted without it. The absolute deadline for receiving the completed entry form is Mon 15 Dec 2025, at 1pm. This form must be accompanied by a full Curriculum Vitae (CV), indicating any previous awards obtained. Please note that applications submitted without a CV cannot be processed.
• Artwork Requirements: Artists may submit up to two finished pieces. Works must be original and recently executed, and preferably not previously exhibited. For presentation, the artwork, including the frame or stand, must not exceed 800mm in its greatest dimension (length or breadth). All 2D work must be professionally framed or presented and supplied with D rings for hanging (clip-on glass frames are not accepted).
• Artwork Submission Days: Physical artwork must be delivered to the ISLAND Arts Centre on one of the following two specific dates only: Mon 5  & Tues 6 Jan 2026, between 9.30am and 9pm. Submissions, clearly labelled with the entrant's name and contact details, should be delivered to: ISLAND Arts Centre, Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL.

Exhibition and Awards

Selected works will be showcased in Galleries 1 & 2 at ISLAND Arts Centre 13 Jan – 14 Feb 2026. The winning artist(s) will be announced at the Exhibition Preview on Mon 12 Jan 2026, 7 – 9pm at the arts centre.

The council strongly advises artists to insure their submissions for the entire period of the competition, from the date of handing in to the date of collection.

How to Acquire Your Entry Form

The official entry form is available through the following methods:

• Download: Download the Anna Cheyne Visual Art Award 2026 Entry Form (PDF)
• Email Request: lisa-marie.denton@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk.
• Phone Request: 028 9244 7744.

Once completed, please submit your entry form and CV to lisa-marie.denton@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk or deliver to ISLAND Arts Centre, the ISLAND, Lisburn BT27 4RL. If you require further information, please contact Lisa-Marie Denton, Arts Programming Assistant E: lisa-marie.denton@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk.