Northern Ireland

The Irish Arts Council and Arts Council Northern Ireland have announced a one-off €400,000 (£342,500) award for “an exceptional theatre production” in the Irish language, the single largest grant from either funding body. 

The successful applicant will work closely with an evaluator which will assess the scheme's outcomes to "refine the approach in the long term". 

Applications will open on 7 May and close on 6 June 2024. The award will run for at least three years and applications will be invited again in 2025 and 2026.

Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said the "ground-breaking initiative" demonstrated the two councils' commitment to "supporting artistic endeavours that transcend borders, uniting communities through the universal language of the arts".

Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Irish Arts Council, added: "This initiative underscores our firm commitment to nurturing artistic expression in the Irish language, fostering creativity and providing rich cultural experiences for all.”

Arts Council Northern Ireland (ACNI) has published its first 10-year strategy for public consultation.

The funding body developed the long-term plan last year following engagement with artists, arts organisations and representatives across government, businesses and the public sector.

It is now seeking responses to the proposals from individuals, businesses, and organisations via an online survey, which will run for 12 weeks until 5 April.

The ambitious strategy presents ACNI’s “unwavering commitment to championing the arts sector” and its plans to “propel it to new heights of recognition” but also acknowledges the challenges facing the arts in Northern Ireland.
 
“It is a regrettable truth that government investment in the arts sector in Northern Ireland has not always matched the incredible potential and impact it holds,” says the foreword by Chair Liam Hannaway and Chief Executive Roisín McDonough. “Opportunities have been missed, and the growth of this wonderful sector has been hindered by a lack of adequate resources and recognition.”

Summarising the key issues facing the sector, the strategy notes that while “public investment in the arts has fallen by 28% in cash terms over the last decade, from £14.1m to £10.1m, closer to a 49% reduction when inflation is considered", Northern Ireland has the lowest levels of per capita government spending on the arts in the UK, receiving £5.07 PC (2023/24), in contrast with Wales at £10.51 (2023/24) and the Republic of Ireland at £21.90 (2022).

A key proposal in the strategy would see ACNI introduce multi-annual funding, which it says will reduce administrative costs, releasing more time and resources for the council to support arts organisations. It is currently the only UK arts council not to do so “due to risks associated with annual budget allocations from the government”.

As part of its plans to develop a more financially stable sector, ACNI also said it would undertake a scoping exercise to assess how it can generate more income for the industry across private, public and philanthropic funders.

Arts Council of Northern Ireland has named 292 artists awarded funding from a £1.04m National Lottery fund as part of its Support for Individual Artists Programme.

The scheme provides artists working across all disciplines with grants of up to £6,000 to develop new creative projects, purchase equipment, and support international performance opportunities and residencies.

Recipients include a horror music composer, aerial circus performer, prosthetic make-up artist and prop-maker.

“Individual artists are at the very heart of the creative sector in Northern Ireland, enriching our communities and bringing our theatres, music venues and galleries to life,” said Gilly Campbell, joint Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

“Thanks to National Lottery players and money raised for good causes, funding from the Arts Council’s Support for Individual Artists Programme will provide artists, working across all areas of the arts, with the vital investment they need to embark on new projects, develop their ideas and find new and engaging ways to present their art.”
 

Belfast City Council has voted in favour of a motion to support a campaign calling for a reversal of arts cuts in Northern Ireland. 

The motion asked government officials for “a reversal in cuts to the arts” and committed the council to signing an open letter from Equity Noerthern Ireland to Colum Boyle, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Communities.

MPs unanimously endorsed the motion, which recognised that Permanent Secretaries are “being forced to take, without a mandate, difficult decisions that should be taken by locally elected ministers and a devolved Executive and Assembly” and that “too often the council is forced to step in and financially support arts and cultural organisations who have lost funding from Stormont departments”.

A 10% reduction to Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s budget was proposed in April, which was later lowered to 5%. In its letter, Equity NI said that reduction in the decrease was of "no comfort", claiming that Arts Council NI funding has decreased, in real terms, by 30% over the last decade.

Around 130 Equity members and supporters held a rally at Belfast City Hall ahead of the vote on Wednesday night (1 November). Speaking at the protest, Equity president Lynda Rooke said: “12,500 people signed Equity's petition demanding more investment in the arts and no to further cuts, I echo this with the backing of 47,000 Equity members from across the four nations of the UK."

An independent survey commissioned by Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) has found widespread support for continued and increased investment in the arts.

The Arts Council’s General Population Survey, conducted between May and June this year, found 79% of respondents supported public investment in arts and culture organisations, while 70% agreed with public investment in individual artists.

Over half (58%) of respondents said they would vote for a political candidate who advocated for increased spending on arts and culture. 

In comparison, 9% said they would vote against, while 33% were undecided.

Karly Greene, ACNI’s Director of Strategic Development, said the survey “shows strong support for the arts”.

“It clearly demonstrates the value which the public places on continued and increased investment in the arts infrastructure, for the benefit of our economy, tourism, education and personal health and wellbeing.”

The survey also found more people are attending arts events in Northern Ireland than at the time the last survey took place in 2019-2020.

Almost three-quarters (74%) of respondents said they had attended an arts activity or event in the past 12 months, compared to 68% at the time of the last survey.

A total of 63 rural arts projects will share £400,000 of funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, it has been announced.

The money, which is coming from the third round of the National Lottery's Rural Engagement Arts Programme, will go to community groups, arts organisations and local authorities in communities across Northern Ireland.

Organisations set to benefit include Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre Company in Fermanagh and Omagh, which has been awarded £9,000 to undertake a 40-day programme of dance workshops.

Meanwhile, £5,640 will go to Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Craobh Boirche in Newry, Mourne and Down, which will use the money to provide traditional Irish music classes. 

Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development at Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “We know that taking part in arts activities can raise self-esteem, boost confidence and motivation, as well as alleviate isolation and loneliness. 

The Rural Engagement Arts Programme has supported a total of 135 arts projects in rural areas with fudning of £898,780 since its establishment in 2022.