Individual Support
The D/Deaf and Disabled Artists Support Fund and Digital Innovation Award
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland funds this opportunity for artists to buy time to be creative, to develop or produce new contemporary artwork, or engage in activity that develops existing skills or gives them a new type of experience.
This award is made possible thanks to support from our Principal Funder, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through National Lottery Funds.
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.
The fund is split into three grants schemes as follows:
2x £5000 grants
2x £3000 grants
2x £2000 grants
An Access pot managed by University of Atypical will be available for successful applicants to encourage events to include access requirements for audiences including but not limited to BSL, ISL and Audio Description
This award is made possible thanks to support from Belfast City Council.
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 providing 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 open for application (August to September 2024). You can arrange an advice session by emailing access@universityofatypical.org or calling us on
028 90239450.
This service is made possible thanks to support from our Principal Funder, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through National Lottery Funds.
