NORTHERN IRELAND MENTAL HEALTH ARTS FESTIVAL
NEW WORKS COMMISSION
The NI Mental Health Arts Festival is delighted to announce our New Works Commission. We will be awarding 6 artists who have lived experience of mental health challenges £2000 to make new artwork.
This is an innovative new project which is aimed at addressing the barriers people with mental health challenges face. This fund is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
THE COMMISSION:
The new work commission must take place between January 2026 and April 2026. There will be 3 online artist crits, which will support the artists during the creation of the work.
This is a flat fee of £2000 and will include artist time and materials.
We will fund 1 artist from each of the 6 counties in Northern Ireland, Antrim, Armagh, Derry/Londonderry, Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone.
We welcome submissions across artforms, this can include; visual arts, performance, theatre, music, digital arts, and literary. We are open to creative responses which use art in creating conversations about mental health. If you have any questions about your submission please email info@nimhaf.org.
There will be a celebration event at the end of the project (May 2026) which will showcase the work created.
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants must have lived experience of mental health challenges. We will not ask for proof of this as we recognise this can add additional barriers. However you will be asked to state the nature of your mental health challenges.
Applicants must live in Northern Ireland.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
Applicants must have contributed to the Northern Ireland arts sector within the past 3 years.
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The application must fund the creation of a new piece of work.
HOW TO APPLY:
Submissions close on 27th November.
NIMHAF will be hosting two information sessions for the award. On the 12th November 2025 at 11.30am and 7.00pm to register please email info@nimhaf.org.
To apply please forward your artist C.V and PDF or WORD document which includes:
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Name and contact details
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Address and county which you are applying from
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Short artist statement (250 words)
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Please state the nature of your mental health challenges (50 words)
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Your proposal for the new work commission (500 words)
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5 examples of previous work*
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2 references
To info@nimhaf.org with the subject line “NIMHAF, New Works Commission Application” by 5.00pm on the 27th November 2025. Unfortunately we will not be able to accept late submissions.
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You must have read all information provided and meet criteria listed for your application to be eligible.
*If you are submitting video/sound files please include a link to the work
DECISIONS:
Artists submissions will be selected by a dedicated and experienced panel drawn from arts, health, education and lived experience.
Applicants will be notified of decisions by email by mid December 2025.