The University of Atypical has awarded £1,000 grants to 20 D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists in Northern Ireland through the Atypical Generation Fund. The funding comes from the National Lottery and is delivered on behalf of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The programme supports artists working in various art forms, including training, mentoring, stage plays, independent films, creative research, illustration, literature, visual arts and music.

Edel Murphy, CEO and Artistic Director of the University of Atypical, stated that the grants provide long-standing support for individual artists' careers and enable their active role in Northern Ireland's creative sector.

Patricia Lavery, Head of Community Arts and Education at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, congratulated the recipients and expressed hope that the funding empowers their creative ambitions.

Belfast-based 21-year-old Conor Bruen, performing as 'Wee Polo', received a grant for mentoring and studio sessions with a professional music engineer from London to develop a new rap and hip-hop track.

Strabane resident Isaac Quinn obtained funding to cover travel and accessible accommodation in London for his performance at the Camden Fringe Festival. His one-man show 'Retardant' centres on an autistic trans man's journey from rural Donegal to Belfast.