News – NI arts on hold

The first set of announcements from Northern Irelands Review of Public Administration (RPA) (AP issue 110, 21 November) have avoided offering specific proposals for culture funding, whilst suggesting that responsibility for the arts in the region will ultimately be handed over to newly amalgamated local authorities.
The changes, designed to streamline bureaucracy, involved a major shake-up of Northern Irelands health and education sector. In what may sound the death knell for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, a follow-up set of announcements will be made in the New Year, and a range of services and corresponding resources, including arts and culture, is likely to be transferred to local government.