The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has announced over £1 million in National Lottery Project Funding for Individual Artists (PFIA), supporting 162 artists across multiple disciplines, including a substantial number from NI’s music sector.

Recipients will use awards of up to £10,000 to develop new work, recordings, training and other professional projects over the coming year. Musicians supported in this round include Aoife Boyle (Reevah), Ciaran Lavery, Connor Dougan, Conor McAuley, Joseph Leighton, Anthony Toner, Ryan McMullan and Dana Masters.

ACNI Director of Arts Development, Noirin McKinney, said the scheme aims to help artists “take their professional, artistic careers to the next level,” while encouraging innovation, skills development and experimentation across the sector.