The Arts Council has designed this programme to enable organisations to purchase equipment and/or carry out minor works to their premises which will provide opportunities to upgrade equipment and carry out necessary works to ensure they maintain a presence in the arts sector.

Grants of up to £20,000 are available.

The scheme aims to provide grants which will help to:

• Maintain / improve the quality of artistic activities delivered
• improve the accessibility of the arts;
• improve the environment for the arts sector;
• enhance or broaden the audience/participants’ experience.

Who Can Apply

Applications will be accepted from voluntary, community or arts groups based in Northern Ireland.

The following criteria apply:

• Applicants do not have to be primarily an arts organisation (for example, community groups may apply to the scheme); however, the purpose of the requested equipment and/or minor works must be clearly focused on the arts.
• Local authorities are eligible to apply but they are a low priority.
• Registered charities and other fully constituted organisations which cannot distribute a profit are eligible to apply.
• Commercial organisations can only apply for support if the equipment and/or minor works is primarily for the benefit of the public rather than their own commercial interests.
• If the organisation has a limited membership, it must show that the equipment and/or minor works will benefit the wider public.
• Groups of organisations (consortia) working together to deliver specific projects may apply.

Eligible Expenditure

Grants are used to support the costs of equipment and/or minor works to help adapt the organisation’s venue or working practice. Eligible costs and activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• New equipment/structures to enhance accessibility/delivery. Fixed/Portable stage, Lighting, Music stands.
• Accessibility equipment and minor works.
• Creation of safe spaces.
• IT equipment to assist/improve arts delivery.
• Software (pre-loaded operating systems and packages only).
• Works in relation to upgrading and maintaining existing systems.
• Transport.
• Tablet computers (maximum ACNI contribution of £500).
• Laptops/PCs (maximum ACNI contribution of£1,200).

All purchases and minor works must be completed by 14 March 2025.

Guidance notes- https://artscouncil-ni.s3-assets.com/acni-small-capital-grants-guidance-notes-24-25.pdf

Useful link- Small Capital Grants Programme | Arts Council NI (artscouncil-ni.org)

Application Deadline: Mon 7th Oct, 2024, 12:00PM