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.
The programme runs for 9 months and provides 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… I 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.
Now in its fifth year, INVEST was developed by Theatre and Dance NI and is supported by Belfast City Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Since 2017, TDNI have gathered evidence linking the sustainability of Northern Ireland’s cultural sector to the introduction of direct support for freelance artists. The programme has been shaped throughout by extensive consultation with the sector as well as evaluation with artists, freelancers, sectoral stakeholders, and former participants.
For 2026, applicants can apply through one of three INVEST pathways:
INVEST Programme
For established artists with a minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in theatre and/or dance.
Successful participants will receive a £4,000 bursary to help develop themselves and their professional practice, alongside mentoring, networking, training and professional development.
INVEST Programme participants will take part in two bespoke residentials and are required to attend a minimum of six professional development sessions.
INVEST Fellowship Programme
A dedicated pathway for early-career artists with a minimum of 2 years’ professional experience in theatre and/or dance.
Successful participants will receive a £2,000 bursary to help grow their practice, expand their skills, and build the confidence and connections needed to thrive within the industry.
Fellows will receive tailored one-to-one support, skills-development training, residential opportunities, mentoring and networking, and are required to attend a minimum of three professional development sessions.
INVEST Technical/Backstage Programme
A dedicated pathway for those beginning or considering a career in technical/backstage roles, including practitioners working in lighting, sound, stage and crew roles, AV technology, production and technical management, as well as rigging and fly systems.
The programme supports skill-building, mentoring and on-the-ground learning opportunities.
Selected participants will benefit from practical, hands-on experience across festivals, theatre and dance venues across the island of Ireland; specialist training in areas including lighting, sound design and stage management; one-to-one guidance and support; and tailored mentoring with senior experts in technical theatre and production.
The programme 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.
All applicants to INVEST 2026 must:
You must also meet the criteria for the INVEST pathway you are applying for:
INVEST Programme: You must have at least 5 years’ professional experience in theatre and/or dance.
INVEST Fellowship Programme: You must have at least 2 years’ professional experience in theatre and/or dance.
INVEST Technical/Backstage Programme: This pathway is aimed at those beginning or considering a career in a technical/backstage role.
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 welcome applications from artists who have never applied for investment before and actively welcome applications from underrepresented communities, including but not limited to D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, and global majority artists.
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.
You cannot apply if you are living outside Northern Ireland; in full-time education and/or training; under 21; a full-time employee of a funded organisation, production company, venue or community group; a Theatre and Dance NI staff or board member; or a Belfast City Council or Arts Council of Northern Ireland staff or board member.
Previous INVEST participants are not eligible to apply. However, previous INVEST Fellowship artists may apply to be considered for an Established Artist place. If you previously applied to INVEST and were unsuccessful, you may reapply.
The INVEST panel will select the applications that best deliver the stated mission of the programme:
A good application will give a snapshot of your current creative practice and the professional development you wish to undertake through INVEST. We encourage you to be realistic about what can be achieved.
The panel will make their decision based on the information provided. The decision-making process will be evidence-based. It is important to include all details in the application and support material.
Please do not assume that the selection panel have any prior knowledge of you or your work. If the programme is oversubscribed, you may be required to attend an interview with the selection panel. This would be no longer than 30 minutes.
All programmes include the following:
As part of the programme, TDNI will also schedule several professional development training sessions. While participants are advised to attend all sessions where possible, it is required you attend a minimum of six sessions as an INVEST Participant and a minimum of three sessions for INVEST Fellows.
INVEST Programme
Established artists with a minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in theatre and/or dance will receive a bursary of £4,000 to help develop themselves and their professional practice.
INVEST Fellowship Programme
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.
INVEST Technical/Backstage Programme 2026
Aimed at those beginning or considering a career in technical/backstage role, this bursary of £3,000 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.
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.
Applicants should first identify which INVEST pathway they are applying for:
Complete the INVEST 2026 application form and select the programme you are applying for.
Applicants may submit pre-recorded video or audio responses for questions where this option is specified. Some questions will require a short written answer, and this will be specified on the application form.
If applying via pre-recorded video or audio, submit your link under each relevant question on the digital application form.
Applicants should supply no more than two examples of their artistic work as supporting evidence.
If initial application is successful, candidates will be required to attend a short interview with a panel including TDNI team, board members, and industry professionals.
Successful applicants will be notified before the end of October 2026.
Please read the full INVEST guidance and FAQs before submitting your application. If you still have a question, contact invest@theatreanddanceni.org.
