The Thomas Devlin Fund
Introduction:
After a period of two years we are delighted to reopen the Thomas Devlin Fund for applications from young people, aged 15 to 19 years, who would like to study, or pursue a career, in creative arts, performing arts or music. The Fund was set up in memory of Thomas Devlin who, at the age of 15, was murdered in an unprovoked attack in 2005.
The Fund provides an annual bursary scheme that aims to provide gifted young people with exciting and unique opportunities to develop their skills and talent in the arts.
Over the last fourteen years the bursaries have supported 90 young people in a range of diverse activities, including:
- Assisting an aspiring young artist to attend Arts College in London to pursue a career in Art & Design as well as Photography;
- Funding a young girl to attend a Prosthetics and Special Effects Makeup summer school for a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with a top Hollywood makeup artist;
- Assisting a local dancer hoping to work with the Birmingham Royal Ballet;
- Funding living costs in London so a recipient could take part in a summer National Youth Theatre production;
- Attending a 2-week residential cello course in Minnesota
We are delighted to open the fund this year, in anticipation of restrictions easing, to enable us to continue to support young people interested in the arts.
2022 Round of applications
In 2022, the Fund will offer grants of up to £1,750 to young people, aged between 15-19, who would like to study or pursue a career in any one of the three categories of creative arts, performing arts, and music.
The Fund would particularly welcome innovative creative arts projects.
The bursaries aim to fund specific opportunities and activities above and beyond the ordinary, that will stimulate, encourage and inspire the young beneficiaries to succeed in their particular field. We are particularly interested in supporting those young people who may not have access to such opportunities.
The Fund may support equipment costs; however, this will be at the panel’s discretion and is not generally a fund priority.
The Fund will not support mobile app design/development or games design/development.
If this is you, you will need to demonstrate the following, within the application form provided:
- Prospect for development of your potential
- Your need for financial assistance – *please note that all personal information provided around your specific need will remain confidential and will require to be evidenced by way of a reference from your teacher/tutor. We strongly encourage teachers/tutors to support your application and clearly articulate why you should receive a bursary.
- How the award will make a difference to your own life and to others in your community.
Application Forms are available through a downloadable word document below. The form should be completed by both yourself and your teacher/tutor and returned to the Community Foundation by the closing date.
For more information, please contact the Grants Team on 028 9024 5927 at the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.
Please note that incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO BE RETURNED BY EMAIL OR POST TO:
The Grants Team
The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
Community House
City Link Business Park
6a Albert Street
Belfast
BT12 4HQ