Belfast bucks the trend

Belfast City Council has agreed to £4.1m of core funding for arts organisations over the next three years, offering 27% more money and support for three times the number of arts organisations than previous core funding schemes. The new Core Multi-Annual Funding Scheme will support 52 organisations, ranging from festivals, venues and disability arts organisations, compared to just 16 in previous years. Successful applicants had to show how their planned programmes tied in with Belfast’s new Cultural Framework. This has been designed to increase visitor numbers by creating international recognition for cultural excellence, as well as getting the people of Belfast to appreciate the contribution of arts and culture in the city. Key targets include a 10% increase in audience numbers and an £8 return on every £1 put into the sector by 2015.