Atypical Generation Fund
The Atypical Generation Fund is a grant programme for artists in Northern Ireland who identify as D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent. Atypical Generation Fund is the new name for the Deaf and Disabled Artists Support Fund. The fund is essentially the same: it offers £1000 grants to 20 artists with an idea of how they could use funding to develop their creative practice.
The Atypical Generation Fund welcomes applications from D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent artists throughout Northern Ireland. We particularly encourage applications from artists who are learning disabled, as this group of artists has been less represented in previous rounds.
The fund is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Sounds Atypical Music Grant Scheme
The Sounds Atypical Music Grant Scheme is a Belfast City Council funded opportunity for d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent musicians to develop, promote and provide platforms for disabled musicians in performance spaces across Belfast.
You can apply for between £1,000 and £5,000 (rounded up to the nearest £500).
You can also apply for access costs. These costs are in addition to your main budget.
Funding scheme currently closed
Graduate Art Award
This award is a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate the talent of Ulster University emerging artists who identify as d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent.
The Funded Graduate Award is given to one recipient and is open to Ulster University graduating students:
- From Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art;
- From Bachelor’s Degree in Photography and Video;
- From Master’s Degree in Fine Art.
and who identify as d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent.
University of Atypical offers one Funded Graduate Award which includes the following:
- A solo exhibition opportunity at the Atypical Gallery;
- Mentoring sessions with an established artist;
- An exhibition fee;
- Career development advice;
- Development of an Access Rider;
- Marketing and promotion.
Digital Innovation award
Each year we give an award to a disabled artist who makes innovative use of technology within their creative process.
In 2024, the Digital Innovation Award went to Peter Fleming. Peter is a music industry veteran from Northern Ireland who uses remote communication technology to collaborate with musicians around the world.
His award went towards ‘Time’, the audio-visual installation that will premiere at the 2024 Bounce Arts Festival.
This award was made possible thanks to generous support from the Santander Foundation.
Support for Individual Artists Programme
We provide advice sessions to d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists who wish to apply to a range of funding opportunities available through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
These funding advice sessions happen online and in person. They are arranged in the lead up to the funding opportunity.
These funds are currently closed for applications (except the travel award, which is a rolling application process).
This service is made possible thanks to support from our Principal Funder, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through National Lottery Funds
