Thomas Devlin, aged 15 years, was murdered in an unprovoked attack some 200 metres from his home as he was returning from buying sweets with some friends on 10th August 2005 in North Belfast. His family would like Thomas’s death to be a catalyst for young people to acknowledge and appreciate the futility of gratuitous violence against young people, and to this end have set up a Fund in his name, managed by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.
The Thomas Devlin Fund promotes public awareness about the effects and impact of the type of violent attack from which Thomas met his death, and provides an annual bursary scheme to support the development of applicants with a particular talent in their chosen career path of either music, performing arts or creative arts (including fine arts and literary art), to financially assist them to develop their skills and knowledge and help them move up to the next level in their journey. This year applications are sought for all three categories.
Over the years the bursaries have supported, on average, six young people annually 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;
- Assisting a young girl to attend The Amy Geddis fiddle course in Scotland
This year the Trustees will continue with the bursary scheme and will offer awards of up to £1,750 to young people 15-19 years of age who would like to 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 (including fine arts and literary art).
Applicants should demonstrate; need for financial assistance; prospect for development of their potential and how the award will make a difference to the individual and to others in their community.
To apply
Application forms can be accessed from the Community Foundation’s website at www.communityfoundationni.org under apply for funding section and should be completed by both the applicant and their teacher/tutor / youth or support worker and returned to the Community Foundation by the closing date of 1pm on Wednesday 5th April 2023.
