Belfast City Council, which last year faced a barrage of criticism when the city?s arts sector declared itself a ?community in crisis? (ArtsProfessional issue 38, November 18) following cuts in annual funding to major arts organisations, has published its cultural vision for the city in a three-year plan entitled ?Culture and Arts? the spirit of the city?.
At the heart of the plans is a drive to embed cultural activity into urban regeneration in the city and other development strategies in the region. The emphasis has in part been prompted by Belfast?s recent failure to reach the shortlist for European Capital of Culture. Feedback on the city?s bid for the title suggested that poor cultural development and infrastructure had undermined its chances. Other key areas of focus in the plan include the social integration of the diverse communities within the city and the widening of access to cultural activities, and there is a commitment to maintaining funding for culture and arts programming.
The new document, drawn up following one of the widest consultation exercises ever undertaken by a local authority, gives details not only of the priorities for the support for the cultural sector in the City, but also lays down a mandate for improving communications between the Council and its arts partners and stakeholders. Eoin Ó Broin, the new Chair of the Council?s Arts, Culture and Heritage Sub-Committee, said ?Our communication with the cultural sector must now move beyond ?consultation?. If this plan is to be the start of a new era for culture and arts in Belfast then it is vital that we engage in meaningful dialogue with those who are in a position to deliver the vision outlined in it. This is a working document ? not a tablet of stone ? and we will continue to encourage the arts community to have their say about the development of the ideas within it. The arts team at Belfast City Council comprises only five staff, and our budgets are less than a third of those enjoyed in other cities of a similar size to Belfast. But we believe that, by working hand in hand with the cultural sector and by developing partnerships with other agencies, we can energise the cultural regeneration of the city.?
Among the Council?s first steps towards better communications with the arts sector will be a meeting next month involving all the funded clients that were affected, either positively or negatively, by a decision taken last year to divert funds away from annual funding to a Development and Outreach Programme. Eoin Ó Broin said ?We are not interested in ?spin?. We are making a genuine commitment to talking with the arts community. This will be a transparent and democratic meeting to allow everyone to have their say, and action will be taken as a result of this.?
A copy of the plan ?Culture and Arts? is available at http://www.belfastcapitalcity.com