The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has opened applications for Travel Awards under the National Lottery Support for Individual Artists Programme. The scheme provides funding for individual artists and established music groups of up to two members to travel from Northern Ireland to build skills and expertise. Funding amounts depend on the destination country.

This is a rolling programme for 2026/27 with no fixed deadlines. The Arts Council welcomes applications from a wide range of individuals under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. It particularly encourages submissions from disabled artists and artists from the generally unionist community.

In related developments, Ballymena artist Heather Martin received a 1,000-pound grant through the Atypical Generation Fund. The programme, delivered by the University of Atypical with National Lottery funding on behalf of the Arts Council, awarded grants to 20 artists across Northern Ireland. Martin plans to develop a stage play on women's experiences with systemic misogyny in policing and medicine.

Norma Beggs, another artist from County Antrim, secured funding for a collection of six mid-scale textile works. The relaunched Atypical Generation Fund supports D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent creatives in fields including theatre, visual arts, literature, film and music. Grants also cover mentoring, training and research time.

Edel Murphy, CEO of the University of Atypical, stated the grants aid career progression for these artists. Patricia Lavery, Head of Community Arts and Education at the Arts Council, noted the awards empower recipients to reach their potential.