Belfast Boosts Local Creativity with New Arts & Culture Investments

Belfast is buzzing with creative energy, and our city is making significant investments to ensure local artists and cultural projects continue to thrive. A recent announcement detailed a range of initiatives designed to support talent at every stage, from preserving traditional crafts to fostering modern artistic expression.

Six of Belfast’s leading designers and makers have each been awarded a £2,000 Craft & Design Mentorship Bursary, delivered in partnership with Craft NI. This fantastic initiative allowed local talents to invest directly in their skills and development by connecting with established designers or craftspeople as mentors. Among the recipients were sign painter and gilder Laura Nelson and lettering artist Tony Moore, who travelled as far as Barcelona and Limerick to meet with their mentors, strengthening their practice and gaining new techniques. Tony Moore, who has been painting signs around the city for years, found the mentorship incredibly useful, stating it significantly enhanced his skillset. He's currently applying new techniques learned from his mentor to create new hand-painted signage at the Deer’s Head. Laura Nelson highlighted the rare opportunity the bursary provided to preserve vanishing heritage crafts, expressing immense gratitude for securing specialised training she had sought for years. The other four craft bursary recipients include celebrated local ceramicists Helen Faulkner and Derek Wilson, textile designer Alison Pascoe (specialising in macramé), and stained-glass artist Kerrie Hanna.

These investments reflect our city's commitment to nurturing creative talent at every level. From the preservation of traditional heritage skills like gilding and ceramics to the vibrant energy of our street art and music scenes, these culture-led bursaries demonstrate a clear dedication to investing directly in our people. By partnering with organisations like Craft NI and Seedhead Arts, we are ensuring our local artists have the support, global mentorship, and safe spaces they need to thrive, innovate, and shape Belfast’s unique cultural landscape.

Building on this creative momentum, several other cultural projects have been announced to support artists across various disciplines:

Belfast Street Art Mentorship Award: Six bursaries of £2,000 are now open to Belfast-based street artists. These awards aim to fund professional development through one-to-one mentorship, following the success of past participants like Friz (who studied augmented reality in Edinburgh) and Wee Nuls (who focused on realism in Ghent). Applications close at 12 noon on Thursday, 2 July 2026 – don't miss out!

Artist Residency at Botanic Gardens: Stained-glass artist Kerrie Hanna is currently hosting 'Show and Tell' events at the Tropical Ravine, interpreting the site’s botanical collections and natural heritage. The next event is scheduled for Friday 10 July at 1.30pm – a wonderful opportunity to see art and nature intertwine.

Gradam Ceoil Traditional Music Bursary: Delivered in partnership with An Chultúrlann, this scheme offers tailored mentorship, career development, and high-profile performance platforms for emerging traditional musicians. This year’s talented recipients were Jack McGoldrick, Eimear Magee & Peadar Connor.

Teenage Kicks Micro-Grants: This initiative offers support to venues, festivals, and event organisers who are committed to creating safe, high-quality, alcohol-free nights out for young people who love live music. Keep an eye on local social media channels in the coming months for details on upcoming events.

Belfast Art Map & Belfast Canvas: In collaboration with the Belfast Visual Arts Forum, a new iteration of The Belfast Art Map is being created to promote our city's vibrant galleries, studios, and public artworks. It will launch ahead of the upcoming Fleadh (2-9 August). Additionally, the Belfast Canvas project will bring dynamic live animation to the city streets during the festival, adding an extra layer of visual excitement.

These diverse projects highlight Belfast's dedication to fostering a dynamic and inclusive arts and culture scene, offering valuable opportunities for local talent and enriching the lives of all residents.