NI Artist Development Programme: INVEST 2025/26 – applications now open!

INVEST is Theatre and Dance NI’s professional development and mentoring programme designed for artists and freelancers, including directors, choreographers, creators, technicians, producers, backstage staff, and those working professionally across theatre and dance in Northern Ireland.

Now in its fourth year, INVEST was developed by Theatre and Dance NI and is supported by Belfast City Council, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and The Foyle Foundation. As the 24/25 cohort reflects on their journey, the impact of the programme is clear: new skills, fresh confidence, international opportunities, and a strong sense of community among artists.

The programme includes intensive one-to-one industry mentoring, networking, training, professional development, resources and a direct financial investment to enable artists to access the time, space and resources required to think, reflect, and develop their creative practice. INVEST provides an incredible opportunity to upskill and collaborate with fellow artists and mentors at a pivotal point, creating connections and networks that sustain careers, developing a culture in which artists feel safe, supported, and valued.

Please note, INVEST is not a commissioning programme and does not fund the creation, production, or touring of new work. Its focus is on supporting artists’ professional growth, sustainability, and long-term creative practice.

“INVEST has given me much-needed support to develop my creative practice, as well as training in essential areas and connections with other creatives…came away feeling so appreciative of the generosity of…’big’ names and ‘big’ organisations…all so open, honest, and genuinely wanting to help our generation of artists.” – previous INVEST participant.

Background

Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI) is the sole support and professional membership organisation for theatre and dance in Northern Ireland who work to connect, support development and advocate for our artists and the industry. Since 2017, TDNI have gathered evidence linking the sustainability of NI’s cultural sector to the introduction of direct support for freelance artists. This programme has been shaped throughout by extensive consultation with the sector as well as evaluation with artists, freelancers, sectoral stakeholders, and former participants.

The Programme

The programme includes:  

• Bursary – Five £4,000 bursaries available. The bursary is to be used for developing you and your professional practice. This could include but is not limited to training course fees, individual tuition, additional mentoring, attending conferences, networking, residencies, seeing other work, related travel and accommodation, and research and development costs.
• Support – Direct support from the TDNI team and sector colleagues from across UK, Ireland and beyond including award-winning producer Steven Atkinson (Royal Court, Long Acre Arts, HighTide) who is both a lead mentor and consultant on the programme.
• Mentoring – Tailored one-to-one sessions with leading industry experts, matched to your art form and goals. Previous mentors have included: Pádraig Cusack (inc. War Horse, Producer, The National), Katie Mitchell OBE (award winning theatre and opera director), Tom Jackson Greaves (Associate Director, Theatre Royal Plymouth) and Sharon Clarke (Dramaturg, Akram Khan Company).
• Networking – Group sessions to increase collaboration opportunities and where artists can connect with national and international industry leaders. Previous networking events have included The Gathering with Performing Arts Forum which was an opportunity for our INVEST artists to come together with the industry from across the island of Ireland, to connect and reflect on how we can collaboratively shape our future. Previous INVEST artists have also attended our networking events with Charlie Bunker (Co-director, imPOSSIBLE producing), David Byrne, (Artistic Director & CEO, Royal Court Theatre), Judith Dimant (Exec Producer, Complicité), Ciaran Walsh (Associate Director, Culture Ireland) and Shelia Creevy (Chief Executive, Dance Ireland).
• Training – A programme of skills-development workshops and sessions designed specifically for each cohort of artists, including an induction, business-focused training, and two professional development residentials.

Eligibility

To apply you must:

• Be a current member of Theatre and Dance NI. To sign up, click here. Please ensure your membership is renewed and up to date.
• Be living and working in Northern Ireland.
• Be +25 y/o
• Be working professionally for 4+ years in theatre and/or dance.
• Be an established artist aspiring to become artistic creative leaders.

INVEST welcomes submissions from all eligible applicants, irrespective of religious belief, political opinion, race, age, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and people with or without dependants.

We recognise that artists may be engaged in other projects alongside INVEST; however, participants are expected to set aside dedicated time to fully engage with the programme.

INVEST Fellowship Programme

This year, two early-career artists will receive a bursary of £2,000 to help them grow their practice, expand their skills, and build the confidence and connections needed to thrive within the industry.

Theatre and Dance NI are thrilled to continue the Fellowship strand of INVEST, a dedicated pathway designed to empower and uplift the next generation of theatre and dance artists in Northern Ireland

Fellows will benefit from:

• Tailored one-to-one support from the TDNI team and award-winning producer Steven Atkinson.
• Skills-development training designed to strengthen creative and professional practice.
• Exclusive residentials that provide time, space, and inspiration to reflect, learn, and connect.

Addressing and ending all forms of violence, abuse, and harm against women and girls is one of the most urgent and critical challenges of our time. This year in partnership with Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG), one Fellowship Bursary will be dedicated specifically to an artist undertaking training in intimacy practice.

Eligibility

To apply, you must:

• Be a current member of Theatre and Dance NI.
• Be living and working in Northern Ireland.
• Be aged 21 or over.
• Have at least 2 years’ professional experience in the theatre and/or dance sector.

INVEST Technical/Backstage Programme 2025

Theatre and Dance NI is delighted to introduce a new strand of the INVEST programme for 2025, dedicated to supporting the invaluable contributions of behind-the-scenes professionals who bring live performances to life. Aimed at those beginning or considering a career in technical/backstage role, this bursary supports skill-building, mentoring, and on-the-ground learning opportunities.

This includes practitioners working in lighting, sound, stage and crew roles, AV technology, production and technical management, as well as rigging and fly systems.

Selected fellows will benefit from:

• £4,000 bursary available for an emerging artist
• Practical, hands-on experience across a range of festivals, theatre, and dance venues across the island of Ireland.
• Specialist training in lighting, sound design, and stage management.
• One-to-one guidance and support from the Theatre and Dance NI team and professional contacts across the UK, Ireland, and internationally.
• Tailored, one-to-one mentoring with senior experts in technical theatre and production.

This bursary aims to build technical capacity within Northern Ireland’s performing arts sector, support professional development, and foster new career pathways in technical theatre and dance.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must:

• Be a current member of Theatre and Dance NI
• Be living and working in Northern Ireland
• Be aged 18 or over

Programme Schedule

INVEST will run from October 2025 and conclude no later than end of July 2026.

Applicants who are applying for the INVEST and Fellowship Programme must be available for the following compulsory elements of the programme:

• Induction – 5th November 2025.
• Residential One – 26th – 27th January 2026.
• Residential Two – The Gathering – 25th to 28th May 2026. Artist will receive a contribution to attending this conference.

As part of the programme, TDNI will schedule several professional development training sessions. Most sessions will be held in person in Belfast. Some sessions have been pre-designed, and others will be co-designed with participants. While participants are advised to attend all sessions where possible, it is required you attend a minimum of six (three for INVEST Fellowship).

Mentor sessions will be held either in-person or online.

How to Apply

Please click the link below to download and fill in the application form. If preferred, you may submit video or audio file. Some questions will require a short-written answer, and this will be specified on the Application Form.

If you are applying via pre-recorded visual/audio, you should submit your link in each question’s answer box on the application form. FAQs are also available on our website.

INVEST APPLICATION FORM 2025

Please send your completed application form to invest@theatreanddanceni.org.

Application Deadline

Deadline for application submission is 12pm Wednesday 22nd October 2025. Any late submissions will not be accepted.

Contact 

If you have read over the FAQs document and still have a question, please contact invest@theatreanddanceni.org.

These bursaries have been supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council and The Foyle Foundation.