As part of its five-year-plan, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland has given priority to extending the opportunities for artists to develop their work and practice. While many opportunities exist for the employment of artists across all artforms under the council's Access Program and New Work Scheme, a new raft of schemes has developed as part of the organisation's effort to extend the support available to individual artists. The schemes come under the titles such as General Arts Award, Major Individual Award, Artists in the Community, Artists in Education and Arts and Disability. The council also offers awards to artists to take up international residency programs, enabling them to work on specific projects in established international environments, and pursue opportunities for growth and development. For more information on the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, visit: www.artscouncil-ni.org