Boost for Belfast's Arts & Culture: Grants Open for All Ages & Abilities

Great news for our community in North Belfast and across the city! A range of fantastic new initiatives and grant schemes are now available, designed to make Belfast's vibrant music and arts scene more accessible and exciting for everyone. Whether you're a young person looking for alcohol-free gigs, a musician with a disability, or someone with a brilliant idea for a community event, there's support on offer.

One of the standout schemes is Teenage Kicks, which offers £2,000 grants to venues, festivals, and event organisers. The goal? To put on more safe, high-quality concerts and gigs specifically for under 18s, ensuring young music lovers can enjoy live events without alcohol. If you're involved in promoting events and want to get young people involved, you can find out how to apply by emailing teenagekicks@. The deadline for submissions is 3pm on Sunday 1st March.

March will also see the distribution of grants from Sounds Atypical, an incredible initiative awarding £5,000 to deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent musicians. This fund, run in partnership with the University of Atypical, aims to create more inclusive music events and opportunities. Last year, it supported nine musicians and events, including performances at the Bounce Arts Festival, the Black Box, and Botanic Gardens, bringing diverse talent to the forefront.

For lovers of traditional music, three talented musicians will each receive a £3,000 grant ahead of Fleadh Cheoil this summer. This support comes through a continued partnership with TG4’s Gradam Cheoil Awards, providing not just financial aid but also mentorship and professional development to showcase Belfast’s rich trad scene. Applications close at 12pm on Friday 6th March.

Ensuring everyone can enjoy a night out, a significant £45,000 is being allocated to Gig Buddies, a wonderful programme run by the Black Box. This scheme pairs adults with learning disabilities and/or autism with volunteers who share similar interests in music, theatre, or dance. Together, they attend monthly events, helping participants feel more confident and connected while enjoying the city’s cultural offerings. Applications for Gig Buddies are open on an ongoing basis via the Black Box website.

Do you have a fantastic idea for a community event or activity that you'd love to see happen in Belfast? The Bank of Ideas is inviting individuals and community groups to put forward their suggestions. Previous successful concepts, which received up to £2,000 in funding, include a sign language app, a sports day for those with learning difficulties, and inclusive daytime music events. Informational events are ongoing in February and March. You can find full details on the process, and how to apply by Monday 23rd March at 5pm, on the website's culture funding page.

Councillor Ian McLaughlin, Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, highlighted the importance of these initiatives: 'Everyone deserves the chance to enjoy their interests, and access to music, culture, and the arts should be for all of us. It’s fantastic to see so much positive work happening to improve access, try new ideas, and encourage more people of all ages and abilities to get involved.' He particularly praised the Teenage Kicks scheme for supporting young people who are often underserved for suitable activities, adding that these efforts, combined with services like the year-long pilot late-night bus service in Belfast city centre, boost the city's vibrancy and offer a wider range of enjoyable events for everyone.