Arts Council NI Organisations Digital Evolution 2026: Immersive Arts Funding, November 26 Deadline
Arts Council Northern Ireland's 22 October 2026 announcement confirms a new round of National Lottery Organisations Digital Evolution Awards. Applications for the 2026 round close at 12 noon UK local time on Thursday 26 November 2026. This funding stream is designed for organisations developing original digital art or helping Northern Ireland audiences experience immersive work.
Organiser and background
The public funding body describes this scheme as supporting local digital capability and ambitious work using new technology. Its published track record includes £237,000 of funding delivered to 24 organisation-led digital arts projects. This is the organisations stream, not the separate Individual Artists Digital Evolution Award with its own eligibility and grant ceiling.
Eligible projects and artists
Eligible applicants include qualifying non-profit arts organisations, charities and certain collaborating groups with an appropriate Northern Ireland link. An organisation's legal status, local audience benefits and administrative capacity are important. This is not a universal grant for a private overseas company simply interested in selling software or AI services.
Application and requirements
Project examples given in the scheme guidance include AR and VR art environments, digital artworks developed via 3D rendering, immersive exhibitions and events for Northern Ireland audiences, and artistically led app or gamification projects. Simple filming or digital archiving of existing stage performances is not sufficient. Equipment and software can be subject to funding caps and must be integral to the proposed art.
Funding, fees or selection
The Arts Council requires an online application and all mandatory supporting documents and budgets by the deadline; hard-copy and emailed applications are not accepted. Consult current guidance for the actual award range and eligible expenditure: the 22 October 2026 notice does not promise the same £10,000 individual-artist ceiling for this separate organisational funding stream.
Key restrictions and next steps
Version warning: older Arts Council programme pages and downloadable 2025/26 guidance may still say 'closed'. The funding body's official 22 October 2026 announcement and funding index are newer and explicitly mark this organisations call as open. Use the active 2026 scheme documents and portal before planning any expenditure.
Official call and application
Official source: https://artscouncil-ni.org/news/funding-opportunties-for-digital-arts-projects-now-available
This independent editorial summary covers a third-party open call and is not an official application document. Before applying or making a payment, check the organiser's current eligibility criteria, opening/closing times, costs, intellectual-property terms and jurisdictional rules. Official rules override any discrepancy.