The Immersive Arts programme is a new funding and support initiative for artists across the UK, including Northern Ireland, with the aim of helping artists incorporate immersive technologies into their creative practice. This ambitious three-year programme is open to artists at any stage of their career, regardless of their level of experience with immersive technology. Whether you are based in Belfast, a UNESCO City of Music, or elsewhere in Northern Ireland, this programme is designed to help you explore new creative possibilities.

Immersive technologies can include virtual, extended, and augmented reality, and the programme encourages artists to experiment with these tools to create art that actively involves an audience. Immersive Arts provides funding, training, research opportunities, and access to events that support the development of immersive arts in the UK. The programme aims to make immersive technologies more accessible to artists, allowing them to push the boundaries of their work and engage audiences in new ways.

The funding available through Immersive Arts is divided into three strands, which are designed to support artists at different stages in their creative development. The Explore strand offers £5,000 for artists to begin exploring immersive technologies and develop basic skills in the area. For those ready to test out ideas or develop experimental works, the Experiment strand provides £20,000. The Expand strand offers £50,000 for artists working on large-scale projects that are ready for full development.

The first round of funding applications is now open, with a deadline of 2 December 2024. Successful applicants will be announced in February 2025, and projects will be carried out between March and August 2025. Artists can apply for one strand in each round of funding, and even if they are not successful in a given round, they are eligible to apply again in future rounds.

The Immersive Arts programme is designed to break down barriers to the use of immersive technology in the arts. It is not necessary to have previous experience with these technologies to apply, as long as you have a creative practice and a desire to explore new possibilities. The programme encourages collaboration and experimentation, with a focus on learning and development for both artists and audiences.

For more information on the programme and how to apply, please visit here.