CIRP funding aims to support one-off costs that are incurred by individuals working within the creative economy. Photo credit: Shutterstock
The Creative Individuals Recovery Programme (CIRP), worth £5 million from the Department for Communities, offers individuals the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £2,000 each. The programme is now open for online applications and will close at 12:00 pm on Wednesday 6 October 2021.
CIRP funding aims to support one-off costs that are incurred by individuals working within the creative economy, helping them to re-engage with, or maintain their creative practice. Funding should help individuals and artists sustain and build the professional and technical skills, which are so important to the entire creative ecosystem.
This new programme will not replace loss of income for creatives as a result of the pandemic, nor will it support creative purpose relating to heritage or indigenous languages. CIRP will require applicants to undertake activity linked to their practice or art form.
Those eligible to apply include self-employed and freelance individuals working in the creative sector such as; artists, venue support staff, singer songwriters, session musicians, set designers, artists, DJs, actors, dancers, choreographers, musicians, rappers, writers, poets, editors, proof readers, crafts people, comedians, open mike performers, tutors, facilitators, creators, photographers, film-makers, touring crew, artist managers, promotors, lighting and sound technicians/engineers, other technical crew and support staff plus other creative practitioners who work in the creative industries.
For full information on eligibility, guidance notes and to apply visit the ACNI’s website.
Arts Council Northern Ireland have also recently opened a Minority Ethnic Artists Mentoring and Residency Programme, with a deadline for applications on Monday 4 October at 12:00 pm. Find out more about what the programme involves, and eligibility criteria on the ACNI website.