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Fresh Funding Helps Arts Organisations Turn Ideas into Action

03 Mar 2026

12 arts organisations secure major investment for second phase of ‘Blueprint’

Twelve arts and cultural organisations from across Northern Ireland have officially entered the second, critical phase of the Arts & Business NI ‘Blueprint’ programme, marking a transition from early training to active planning, project testing and putting ambitious plans into practice.

Following a successful foundation phase in 2025, each organisation has now secured a fresh round of funding to bring their long-term growth projects to life, thanks to a significant investment boost of £320,000 from the Department for Communities (DfC) and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) towards the Blueprint Programme. A game-changing initiative established by Arts & Business NI (A&B NI) in 2022, Blueprint is designed to break the cycle of short-term funding by equipping the arts sector with the capital and commercial skills needed for long-term financial stability.

The pioneering programme is a collaborative effort, underpinned by vital support from the Department for Communities, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and several other key funding partners. The financial and practical support provided through the programme provides the R&D space rarely afforded to the arts, allowing leaders to step off the treadmill of project-to-project funding and focus on building robust, multi-year business models.

Sarah Jones, Blueprint Programme Manager at A&B NI, comments; “At its heart, the Blueprint programme is about giving arts organisations the practical support they need to adapt and thrive, especially in what we know is a really difficult economic climate. We want organisations to feel more confident about their finances, more resilient, and better equipped to diversify and grow their income.

This latest round of funding, provided by our partners at the Department for Communities and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, gives them the space to put their Blueprint learning into practice, to try new ideas, build on what works and plan for the future with confidence.

Because when we invest in the arts, we’re investing in much more than the sector itself - we’re investing in our communities, our local economy and a more vibrant Northern Ireland for everyone.”

Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland welcomes this investment from Arts & Business NI which will provide twelve arts organisations here with the financial means to strategically develop, enhance and reinforce their business; helping to create a long-term financially stable arts sector.”

Emer Morelli, Interim Permanent Secretary, Department for Communities said: “The Blueprint model is a valuable one, building skills and capacity and resilience within the arts sector. A key strength is that it is an innovative model which is helping to drive wider system change and importantly, in a challenging financial climate, is supported by multiple funders.  The Department sees the benefits of Blueprint and the potential for the model to be rolled out to support other sectors. For the arts sector, a sector which provides so much to nurture and sustain our collective societal wellbeing, the Blueprint model is enabling change, change for the better.”

For many participants, Blueprint is about investing in people and re-evaluating long-standing structures to unlock new revenue opportunities.

Lara Albergo, Development Manager at Bruiser Theatre Company, comments: “The cornerstone of our growth strategy is investing in our team. Thanks to Blueprint, we have stable funding for our Development Manager position, giving us the capacity to pursue new revenue. We aren’t just creating theatre; we’re driving income diversification by expanding our touring reach, developing a schools affiliation programme and creating sustainable education programmes that will support us for years to come.”

Open Arts NI engages with disabled people to deliver high quality events and activities across a range of art forms. Eileen Branagh, Chief Executive Officer of Open Arts NI, adds: "Our core artistic programme has remained consistent for 30 years, but to ensure we are here for the next 30, we must adapt. Blueprint is helping us assess our delivery model and find ways to market our commercial assets. By exploring individual giving, sponsorship, and tendering for work, we are moving toward a future where our financial foundation is as diverse and inclusive as our art."

The impact of Blueprint is being felt across Northern Ireland. Projects range from Dylan Quinn Dance in Enniskillen, an organisation redeveloping its brand and structure, to Millennium Court in Portadown, a multi-use community facility seeking to develop their assets. To date the A&B NI Blueprint programme has invested over £700k into the Northern Ireland arts sector, turning strategic plans into stronger futures.

The full Blueprint Phase 2 cohort includes:

1. Beat Carnival - investing in capital works and repeatable commercial income.
2. Bruiser Theatre Company - focusing on touring expansion and membership schemes.
3. Dylan Quinn Dance - securing succession planning and charitable status.
4. Greater Shantallow Community Arts - leveraging structures for facility growth.
5. Imagine! Festival - expanding organisational capacity and facilitator development.
6. Kabosh Theatre Company - focusing on project commercialisation and strengthening fundraising.
7. Millennium Court - exploring commercialisation and leadership development.
8. New Lodge Arts - exploring Social Enterprise opportunities.
9. Open Arts NI - implementing findings to market commercial assets.
10. PS2 - investing in permanent staff and income from in-house resources.
11. Thrive - expanding paid-service delivery.
12. Tumble Circus - developing a strategic plan to unlock their delivery potential

Arts & Business NI believes the learnings from Blueprint have the potential to transform the arts sector in Northern Ireland, find out more about Blueprint here.

Blueprint is supported by the Dormant Accounts Fund NI (National Lottery Community Fund), Department for Communities NI, Arts Council Northern Ireland, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Belfast City Council.