May 2012
Arts Council introduces first Intercultural Arts Strategy
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has, with the support of local MLA Anna Lo, launched the first ever Intercultural Arts Strategy for Northern Ireland in the Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast. An audience of ethnic minority artists and organisations were invited to give their views on the strategy and to hear from those who are already engaged in successful arts-based intercultural programmes across Northern Ireland. more >
April 2012
Community Arts Survey
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is shortly to commence work on developing a dedicated Community Arts Strategy to cover the period 2013 to 2017. The strategy, to be developed in-house by the Strategic Development Department, will target the work of its core community arts clients and will seek to influence the activities of a broader group of community and voluntary organisations that engage community arts practice. more >
Arts Sector Trusts and Foundations Survey & Symposium
Diversification of income from private investment sources is a key issue for the Arts, and in Northern Ireland there are particular opportunities for growth in accessing income from Charitable Trusts and Foundations. more >
February 2012
Never too late to take art
The Arts Council is challenging community, voluntary and arts organisations to create opportunities for older people to take part in the arts by developing new community-based projects. more >
Arts and Older People Funding
The Arts Council has a history of funding and supporting work with older people in Northern Ireland. Recent funding secured from Atlantic Philanthropies means that we can extend our work further in respect to the opportunities we can provide older people in accessing and participating in the arts, particularly in dealing with social justice issues. more >
January 2012
NI Businesses to join the Creative Revolution
The Arts Council is encouraging local businesses to tap into the global economic shift towards the creative industries, with funds to help local businesses transform their creative ideas into commercial success. more >
December 2011
New Chair announced for Arts Council as sector faces toughest challenges yet
Mr Bob Collins has been announced as the new Chair of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. His appointment is effective from December 2011 and runs for four years. more >
Workshop on the creative industries inquiry
The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure has launched an inquiry into the creative industries in Northern Ireland. The closing date for submissions is Tuesday 20 December 2011. more >
November 2011
Arts Council launches 2010/11 Annual Review
Arts and Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín joined Noirin McKinney, Arts Council Director of Arts Development, at Parliament Buildings to launch the Arts Council’s Annual Review 2010-11. more >
Creating Futures: Reimagining the arts in Northern Ireland
Arts & Business Northern Ireland has launched its Creating Futures programme - a new strategic development initiative for senior managers working in the cultural sector. more >
New scheme makes it easier for everyone to Own Art!
If you’ve ever wanted to get your hands on an original work of art but found the price tag a little daunting, a new scheme launched in Northern Ireland today by the Arts Council could make the buying process a little easier on your bank balance. more >
Professional Development Opportunity for dancers and choreographers
The Arts Council’s Arts and Older People’s programme is helping to support a professional development opportunity for dancers and choreographers working with older people. more >
Arts & Business Northern Ireland looking forward to next 25 years
Arts & Business Northern Ireland (A&B Northern Ireland) will soon celebrate 25 years of successful partnerships sparked between commerce and culture. At this important milestone, recognising this success, the A&B UK Board has agreed to devolve the operation and set up A&B Northern Ireland as an independent Northern Ireland charity. more >
September 2011
International Collaboration in the Arts
Northern Ireland arts sector is set to benefit by today’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and British Council Northern Ireland. more >
June 2011
Ringing the changes for opera in Northern Ireland
The revitalisation of opera stems from a fundamental review by the Arts Council in 2010, which was designed to help bring opera in Northern Ireland up to an international standard. more >
Intercultural Arts Strategy
The purpose of screening is to identify those policies that are likely to have a significant impact on equality of opportunity so that greatest resources can be devoted to these. In order to achieve this, a systemic review of policy is required. more >
Art Take Part goes live!
It just got a lot easier to find out what arts and crafts activities are on in your area with the launch of the new Art Take Part website, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. more >
May 2011
Youth Arts in Focus
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland today delivered its annual Youth Arts sector meeting at the Playhouse Theatre in Derry. more >
Youth Arts Sector Meeting 2011
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland will be delivering their annual Youth Arts Sector Meeting this year for the first time in Derry City at the Playhouse in Artillery Street. more >
April 2011
Strategic Directions
The Arts Council is offering the opportunity for arts organisations to develop their strategic capabilities through the Strategic Directions programme. more >
March 2011
Professional Development Talks for Visual Artists
In support of the recent launch of the Arts Council's Artist Career Enhancement Scheme, artists are invited to a series of afternoon talks at the Golden Thread Gallery which will focus on professional development of artistic practice within the Visual Arts. more >
Arts world reacts angrily to 'ministerial meddling' in Belfast Festival
Artists have lambasted Culture Minister Nelson McCausland for what they see as his attempts to influence the programming of one of Northern Ireland’s most popular arts festivals.
more >
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure launches marching band study
The minister for culture, Nelson McCausland, has launched a new study of marching bands commissioned by his own department. more >
It's time for all of us to stand up and fight for future of arts
Columnist: My heart sank this week when I heard world-renowned cultural adviser Sir Ken Robinson weighing up Education Secretary Michel Gove's ideas on school curriculum reforms. more >
A better deal for the arts, Arts Council announces 2011/2012 funding for arts organisations
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has welcomed the improved arts budget agreed by the Assembly, but cautions that challenges still lie ahead. more >
Creative industries will drive economic recovery
Each day in Northern Ireland the Creative Industries sector is sparking new ideas, creating new collaborations and helping to inspire a new economy. more >
February 2011
Arts and Older People
The three year Arts and Older People Programme,launched in July 2010, provides older people with the opportunity to use arts as a creative vehicle to explore and highlight social justice issues through a series of artist-led interventions. more >
Minister welcomes arts survey findings
Arts and Culture Minister Nelson McCausland today welcomed results from a survey into people’s experience of the arts in Northern Ireland. more >
We simply cannot afford to see funding of arts slashed
Reducing spending on creative bodies by almost a quarter goes too far, says Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. more >
Straight from the Art
South Belfast MLA Conall McDevitt was one of the 108 MLAs to receive a Valentine's card with a difference today, on behalf of arts groups from across Northern Ireland to show him how much they 'love the arts'. more >
January 2011
Survey of Children and Young People
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is currently in the process of developing a Youth Arts Strategy for the period 2011 to 2016. As part of this, we want to ensure it reflects the views, needs and opinions of as many children and young people as possible. more >
Arm’s length funding of the arts: Executive to review public bodies
The Northern Ireland Executive is planning to make substantial cuts to government spending during budget period 2011-2015. The arts face a proposed cut of £4.2m. This represents a real terms 23% reduction in public funding for the arts across the region. more >
Creative Industries inject £582 million into NI economy
Minister for Finance and Personnel Sammy Wilson MP, MLA joined Arts Council Chief Executive Roisin McDonough at the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast to celebrate the positive economic returns being generated by the Creative Industries – one of the fastest growing sections of the Northern Ireland economy. more >
December 2010
Northern Ireland arts hit with £4.2 million cuts
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is bracing itself for cuts amounting to £4.2 million over the next four years in a newly announced draft budget by the region’s legislative Executive. more >
November 2010
NI creative industries employing 33,000
A report from the North's Arts Council shows that the creative industries currently employ over 33,000 people in Northern Ireland and generate £582m annually. more >
Creative Industries boost Northern Ireland economy by £582 million
Arts Council Chief Executive Roisin McDonough has called on the Northern Ireland Executive to consider the positive economic returns generated by arts and culture before making any decision on the arts budget here. more >
Report Highlights the Importance of the Arts to the Northern Ireland Economy
The impact of the arts on Northern Ireland's social and economic regeneration has been described in a comprehensive new publication by the Arts Council. more >
Arts Council launches two new publications
Two new publications, the Arts Council's Annual Review and Digest of Arts Statistics, were officially launched today at the organisation's bi-annual Chairs' and Chief Executives' Forum. more >
Flying the Flag for the Arts in Finland
A group of 15 arts and culture specialists from Northern Ireland will be in Finland this week to learn how to gain practical support for small businesses in the sector. more >
October 2010
Accessible Arts
The Arts and Disability Equality Charter (ADEC), publicly funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, is encouraging arts organisations to look at how accessible their venue is for people with disabilities. more >
September 2010
Arts and Older People - Equality Impact Assessment
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has completed an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the Arts and Older People strategy. more >
Northern Ireland arts braced for cuts and job losses
Northern Ireland’s arts sector is bracing itself for job cuts and closures following the announcement that the region’s Arts Council is planning for a 20% cut in its spending plans over the next four years. more >
Arts Council completes mid-term strategy review
Three years on from the launch of its five-year strategy, Creative Connections, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland has spoken to key stakeholders to assess the impact of work undertaken so far. more >
August 2010
Arts Council Scheme Highlights Artistic ACES
A new scheme aimed at identifying and supporting future artistic champions is launched today by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. more >
June 2010
Arts & Business launches a new Challenge Fund to stimulate individual philanthropy for Culture
Arts & Business UK has launched a new pilot scheme to help arts organisations build and develop the income they receive via individual giving. In partnership with UK philanthropist Alec Reed and his Big Give website, Arts & Business has designed The Big Arts Give to promote individual cultural philanthropy in this period of economic difficulty. more >
May 2010
Northern Ireland's Music Sector encouraged to create New Work for London 2012 Cultural Olympiad
The PRS for Music Foundation and partners which include the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, today (Tuesday 18th May) launched an exciting new programme to place new music centre-stage of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. more >
Arts and Older People Programme
The Arts Council is developing a pioneering new programme, in partnership with The Atlantic Philanthropies, to greatly extend opportunities for older people to engage with the arts. more >
March 2010
Northern Ireland's First Artist to be Commissioned through Unlimited Programme
London 2012 and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland today announced that Ballymoney-based visual artist, Maurice Orr has been awarded one of the first commissions for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Unlimited. Unlimited is the largest arts and disability programme to be delivered in Northern Ireland and the UK. In this first round over £400,000 of funding has been awarded to 10 commissions from the unprecedented three-year programme to create new work for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. more >
Arts Council invests £500,000 in community projects
Launched last year, the Arts Council’s Small Grants Programme has so far invested almost £500,000 in community arts projects. Some 86 organisations have already benefitted from the scheme which aims to bring communities together by supporting a wide range of arts activities. more >
Arts and Older People strategy screening
The arts and older people strategy has been prepared in recognition of the priorities set out in the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s (ACNI) five year strategy, Creative Connections for the period from 2007-2012. The purpose of screening is to identify those policies that are likely to have a significant impact on equality of opportunity so that greatest resources can be devoted to these. more >
Cross-border scheme promotes creative writing
A new scheme launched today (1 March 2010) to promote reading and writing is offering schools North and South of the border the opportunity to meet and work with some of Ireland’s best-known writers and storytellers. more >
February 2010
Culture Minister puts emphasis on great architecture
We must strive for high standards in our architecture, even in the face of a recession, Culture Minister Nelson McCausland has said. more >
Arts newcomers urged to 'test draive' online scheme
A major new online initiative designed to entice thousands of people to ‘test drive’ the best of Northern Ireland’s thriving theatre and performing arts scene has just been launched in Belfast. more >
January 2010
Northern Ireland arts funding faces £1m budget cut
More than £1m is being sliced from the budget of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, which helps fund a range of artists and arts organisations. The £1.1m cut follows budget reductions across the NI government departments, including £25.9m from the Department of Culture, which funds the council. more >
Northern Ireland to launch new national opera company
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has announced it is to create and fund a new opera company for the region following months of speculation about its intention to amalgamate two exiting companies. more >
Breaking of ground ceremony marks exciting step in new £17.56M MAC Centre
An official breaking of ground ceremony took place today (Thursday 21 January 2010) to mark the start of construction work on Belfast’s new £17.56 million MAC arts centre. more >
Provisional 2010/11 arts budget announced
Following the proposed budget announcement made on Monday 11th January by the Finance Minister of a £367 million budget cut across the government departments in April 2010, the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Nelson McCausland, has indicated that the Arts Council should plan for a budget cut of approximately £1.1 million in 2010/11. more >
Arts Council invests in building arts infrastructure
Every person living in Northern Ireland now has access to a dedicated arts facility in their region thanks to an investment of £33 million by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. more >
December 2009
Arts Council residencies and all that Jazz
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is giving local musicians the chance to travel to New York to study with some of the best jazz musicians in the business. more >
Arts Council launches Troubles Archive
A new archive containing many of the key artistic works produced against the backdrop of the Troubles has officially been unveiled at the Ulster Museum. more >
November 2009
Ratheen regeneration project completed
A series of colourful murals depicting scenes from community life were unveiled in Cookstown today. The £6,373 project funded through the Arts Council’s Re-imaging Communities Programme, has seen the Ratheen Avenue play park transformed, with sectarian graffiti removed and 12 artworks installed to create a new shared space. more >
Helping NI bands costs almost £1m
Almost £1m has been spent on funding bands in Northern Ireland over the last four years. The money was awarded for instruments, equipment and tuition. The figure was released by the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, in response to a question from North Antrim Sinn Fein MLA Daithi McKay. more >
Charity Commission Information
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, in partnership with Arts & Business, is currently working with the newly-established Charity Commission for Northern Ireland to roll out a series of information seminars designed specifically for arts organisations in February and March of next year. more >
October 2009
A clash of cult and culture in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, a Protestant cabinet minister has made some waves with his announcement that his conscience will not allow him to attend ceremonies in a Catholic church. more >
Culture Minister Nelson McCausland has opened the Opportunity Europe fair and exhibition at St George’s Market, Belfast.
Speaking at the event the Minister said: “Opportunity Europe has a great and varied programme with lots of hands on activities and workshops to enthuse young people to explore the use of other European languages. more >
Arts Council hosts 70th birthday reception for Heaney and Longley
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, together with Queen’s University Belfast, hosted a special reception to mark the 70th birthday of two of Northern Ireland’s world renowned poets, Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley. more >
Board of the Arts Council meets with Arts Sector in County Armagh
Board members of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland yesterday (Wednesday 14th October) travelled to Millennium Court Arts Centre in Portadown to meet with local artists, arts organisations, district council officers and key political decision makers. more >
September 2009
Creative industries benefit from £5million boost
Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Nelson McCausland, today (23rd September) joined Roisín McDonough, Chair of the Creative Industries Innovation Fund Consortium and Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, to announce the opening of the latest round of funding through the £5 million Creative Industries Innovation Fund. more >
Charity Commission for Northern Ireland - consultation on Public Benefit Guidance
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, in partnership with Arts & Business, is currently working with the newly-established Charity Commission for Northern Ireland to roll out a series of information seminars designed specifically for the Northern Ireland Cultural Sector. more >
August 2009
Northern Ireland’s Arts Council launch drama bursary
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has launched a new bursary to enable the region’s professional actors to develop their skills. more >
July 2009
Minister announces £2.4 million museum expansion
The Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Nelson McCausland, has announced a major expansion plan at the Ulster American Folk Park. more >
New artworks revealed in Seymour Hill
Two new artworks were unveiled in Seymour Hill today as part of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Reimaging Communities Programme. Created by local artists Tim McCarthy and Robin Cordiner, the wall paintings depict the area’s rich cultural history. more >
Nelson McCausland takes up office at DCAL
Nelson McCausland has been appointed Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in the Northern Ireland Executive from 30 June 2009. more >
June 2009
Joint Arts Councils’ research on artists in Ireland
The Arts Council/ an Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland share a strong strategic commitment to supporting the professional individual artist. The Councils have jointly commissioned detailed and extensive research into artists’ living and working conditions on an all island basis. more >
Arts Council Chairman honoured with OBE for Services to the Arts
Rosemary Kelly, Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, who has been honoured with an OBE for Services to the Arts, received her award from Her Majesty the Queen, on Tuesday the 2nd of June at Buckingham Palace. The OBE recognises outstanding achievement and service across the whole of the community. more >
May 2009
Culture Minister welcomes £1.31million Legacy Trust
Six Northern Ireland projects which bring together arts and sports are to benefit from funding of £1.31million in the lead up the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. more >
Search for board members for the Library Authority
The Department of Culture Arts and Leisure is re-advertising for members of the new Library Authority, Libraries NI. more >
Libraries NI have your 'Health in Mind'.
Culture Minister Gregory Campbell today congratulated Libraries NI on securing £1million of BIG Lottery funding towards a ‘Health in Mind’ project. more >
April 2009
Statement from Chairman on budget cuts
April saw the announcement of a new budget for the Arts Council for 2009; the figure was confirmed on the publication of the revised estimates. A statement from Chairman, Pat Moylan said "the level of public funding allocated underscores the commitment of the Government, and in particular the Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, to the distinctive contribution of the arts to the Irish economy." more >
Arts Council’s event guide ready for launch
The Arts Council is requesting all funded organisations and individuals to submit public events for inclusion in a new online guide. The site is already “live”, http://events.artscouncil.ie, and will be formally launched shortly. The guide will be widely advertised and promoted. more >
DCAL relocates to Causeway Exchange
The Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure today relocates to its new headquarters premises at Causeway Exchange in Bedford Street, Belfast. more >
Arts Council committee details updated
The Council is supported in its work by a number of advisory committees which review the various functions of the organisation and report back to Council on a regular basis. DEtails are now updated. more >
Major new work to be created for Northern Ireland as Artists take the lead in new £5.4m competition for the Cultural Olympiad
Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland commented: "Artists Taking the Lead offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for artists living in Northern Ireland to become part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. more >
Campbell officially launches a new era in libraries
Culture Minister Gregory Campbell today officially launched Libraries NI, the new Northern Ireland Library Authority which will deliver a single unified and integrated library service. more >
March 2009
Artists for hire
Northern Ireland artists can help boost businesses. A newqs release from the Arts Council suggests that professionals from the worlds of theatre, music, writing and visual arts, bring creativity and a splash of colour and spectacle to the range of corporate entertainment events. more >
Arts Council urges older people to ‘jump into the arts’
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland today launched their ‘Jump into the Arts’ campaign with local music legend, Terri Hooley. The Arts Council campaign highlights a wide range of free and low cost, exciting arts events on offer to older people in Belfast. more >
February 2009
Campbell marks 35 years of the public library service
Culture Minister, Gregory Campbell, hosted a reception to recognise the contributions made by Education and Library Boards to the development of the public library service. more >
Arts Council urges sector to respond to funding inquiry
The Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure (CAL) at Stormont, which scrutinises the work of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), is conducting an inquiry into ‘The Funding of the Arts in Northern Ireland’. more >
The search is on to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects
In the last year alone , over £54 million of Lottery funding has gone to projects in Northern Ireland. And now, The National Lottery is encouraging these projects, and the thousands like them across the UK, to enter the Awards and gain recognition for their fantastic work. more >
January 2009
Arts Council funding helps re-image Limavady
Two exciting, colourful murals at Dun Breffni House, Romell Road, will be unveiled (January 23rd) as the Mayor of Limavady, Cllr Brenda Chivers, along with Ann Ward, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and members of the local community celebrate their Re-Imaging Project. more >
Arts Council congratulates Arts and Business Award winners
Eight categories, for imaginative, creative ‘Arts and Business’ partnerships, were celebrated at the Allianz Arts and Business NI Awards, Thursday 15 January, during a champagne reception, at the Reform Club in Belfast. more >
Campbell promotes creativity and innovation in 2009...more
Looking to the year ahead and the longer term investment in the economic and artistic future of Northern Ireland the Arts Minister Gregory Campbell in a message said: "Tonight Northern Ireland launches the European Year of Creativity and Innovation with the 2009 Allianz Arts and Business Northern Ireland Creativity Awards being the first event in the calendar" more >
New Chairman for Northern Ireland Screen
Following open competition and with effect from 1 January 2009 for a period of four years, Richard (Rick) Hill has been appointed as Chair to the Commission. Mr Hill was initially appointed as vice-chair and has been acting chair on an interim basis since 1 January 2008. more >
Arts Council Chairman honoured with OBE for Services to the Arts
Rosemary Kelly, Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, has been honoured in the 2009 New Year honours list with an OBE for Services to the Arts. The annual Honours List recognises outstanding achievement and service across the whole of the community. more >
December 2008
Arts Council’s launch of annual review helps to debunk myths around funding
More than half of the Arts Council’s main funding goes directly to the most deprived areas of Northern Ireland. This is just one of the findings of analysis revealed today at the launch of the Arts Council’s Annual Review, 2007/8. more >
Appointment of Chairperson of the Board of National Museums Northern Ireland
Mr Daniel E Harvey has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Board of National Museums Northern Ireland for a period of five years from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2013. more >
Campbell announces Chair of the Northern Ireland Library Authority
Welcoming the appointment of Dr Elliott, Minister Campbell said: “We are entering a new era for public libraries with the creation, in April next year, of one library service across Northern Ireland, and the transfer of responsibility to the Library Authority." more >
Pamela Rogers, former Arts Council Director dies aged 85
It is with sadness that the Arts Council notes the death of one of its previous directors. Pamela Rogers joined the Arts Council of Northern Ireland during the early years of The Troubles, in 1972. She died on Sunday 30th November 2008, aged 85. more >
Small grants programme replaces awards for all arts funding
From December 16th 2008, the Arts Council's 'Small Grants Programme' will replace the Big Lottery Fund's 'Awards for All' scheme as the prime source of small grants for groups seeking National Lottery funding for their arts activities. The 'Small Grants Programme' will offer grants of between £500 - £10,000 to voluntary and small professional groups for a wide range of community-based arts activities. more >
Arts Council proud to win a ‘PRide’ award
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has been awarded a Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Gold ‘PRide Award’ for their ‘Keep our Arts Alive’ Campaign. The campaign, winning Gold in the ‘Public Affairs’ category, successfully secured a £7.55 million uplift for the Arts from the Northern Ireland National budget 2008-2011. more >
Arts Council funding helps re-generate Mosside
A range of creative, community art work and sculpture at Mosside village, Moyle was unveiled (28 November), as Peter Robinson, MLA, Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and other funders celebrated Mosside Development Group’s Regeneration Project. more >
November 2008
Arts Council supports new initiative for cultural sector
A new format for the 2008 – 2009 Link Initiative has been launched by Mary Trainor, Director of Arts & Business and Nick Livingston, Director of Strategic Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The programme is now entering its eighth year and has been specifically designed to meet the development needs of senior managers working within the cultural sector of Northern Ireland. more >
Cinemagic entertains, educates and inspires the young
Speaking at the launch in the Movie House Cinema, Dublin Road the Minister added: “Cinemagic’s festival now in its 18th year, is a very important event in the festival calendar, as the largest children and young peoples’ film event in the UK and Ireland. more >
Campbell launches ‘The Art Factory’ in Londonderry
The Art Factory will be used to produce large or medium size art projects such as puppets, carnival pieces, sculptures or artwork. It will also be used as an arts training workshop where classes in all types of art can be held. Speaking at the event the Minister said: “The Art Factory is a prime example of how community-led regeneration initiatives can work to the benefit of the local community and wider city. more >
Arts Council assist local councils to grow creative industries
Rosemary Kelly, Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland contributed to promoting the growth of Creative Communities though the Arts, at the Forum for Local Government and the Arts (FLGA) annual conference. more >
Campbell hits a high note at first Music Industry conference
The Conference hosted by the Northern Ireland Music Industry Commission (NIMIC) will address the challenges and the new opportunities opening up for the industry in Northern Ireland. more >
October 2008
MP launched new community archive
Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Gregory Campbell, has welcomed the development of the Northern Ireland Community Archive. The Minister attended the launch of a pilot website and the first phase of the project at Lagan Legacy, Belfast. more >
Arts Council support Launch of Lyric Education Programme
This exciting new project will engage with and encourage young people to participate in the arts, through four pilot projects in primary and post primary education. more >
£5m fund for creative industries
A £5m fund has been created to help stimulate the growth of the creative industries in Northern Ireland. more >
Arts Council Welcomes New Creative Industries Innovation Fund
Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Gregory Campbell, MP MLA along with Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and other funders, today (17 October) launched the Creative Industries Innovation Fund. more >
September 2008
President to make keynote speech in Derry
President MARY McAleese is to give the keynote address at a conference in Derry this weekend to mark the 40th anniversary of the historic march in the city on October 5th, 1968. more >
A home for art in Belfast's stained soul
The Royal Uster Academy of Arts Annual Exhibition '08 runs until Oct 19 at the Titanic Drawing Offices, Belfast. Campaigners hope that the North's new Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Gregory Campbell MLA, of the DUP, will be open to a more permanent arrangement. more >
Arts Council Hosts Ministerial Visit to the Arts Sector
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland welcomed the new Arts Minister, Gregory Campbell MP MLA, to its headquarters at MacNeice House in Belfast today (Wednesday 10 September) to meet the Council and eminent artists and arts organisations from across Northern Ireland. more >
August 2008
New Dance Strategy nears completion
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is undertaking the final round of consultations before introducing its new dance strategy. more >
July 2008
Arts and Disability Website an essential tool
The first all-Ireland website to provide information, resources and facts about Arts and Disability, is proving to be an essential tool. more >
June 2008
Development of a Visual Arts Strategy for 2008-2011
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is inviting tenders from suitably experienced service providers to research, develop and produce a Visual Arts Strategy. more >
Campbell named as Northern Irish culture minister
He said he would be “looking in particular how the Department for Culture, Arts and leisure can support the creative industries”. more >
May 2008
Art and Architecture prove a winning combination at Northern Ireland Architectural Awards
The first winners of a new award, ‘Best Example of Integrating Artworks into a Building Project’, have been announced. more >
April 2008
Council’s Forum asks ‘Is there money in business for the arts?'
The Arts Council held a forum for arts organizations that provided space to discuss ways of finding new sources of income for the arts and how to look beyond grant support to sponsorship opportunities with the business sector. more >
March 2008
Time for threatening loyalist murals to go
Funding from the Arts Council's 'Re-imaging programme' is helping to replace replace paramilitary murals with community artwork. more >
Arts Council puts extra £1.6m into Northern Ireland’s key arts organisations
The Arts Council has passed an increase in funding directly on to arts organisations, many of which were considered 'at risk'. more >
February 2008
Corporate sponsorship essential for the Arts
Minister for the Arts Edwin Poots argues that corporate sponsorship of the arts is a good business investment. more >
January 2008
Campaign wins extra £3m for arts in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s arts sector has secured an additional £3 million funding from the region’s legislative Assembly, thanks to a high-profile protest campaign against proposals that would have led to an uplift of just £500,000 for 2008/9. more >
Drama Strategy Report Released
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has released 'Development of a Drama Strategy: Summary Report' that sets out recommendations for a new drama strategy for the Arts Council. more >
Budget will enhance quality of life in Northern Ireland
Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Ireland is a priority for Government and has been reflected in the budget allocation for sport, arts and leisure activities. more >
Arts Budget 2008-2011 Announced
The Arts Council has released a statement on its Northern Ireland Budget 2008-2011 and the outcome for the Arts. more >
Increased arts funding is a must for the future
Cultural well-being has fallen so far down the list of priorities that the amount of money the arts receives is tokenistic at best. more >
Why the arts needs creative accountancy
There's more to cultural life than just how much per head is spent, says Dr Sam Burnside. more >
December 2007
Research examines barriers to disabled people's participation in and access to the Arts in Northern Ireland
The Arts Council is pleased to announce the release of a substantial body of research examining disabled people’s participation in and access to the arts in Northern Ireland. more >
Cash warning from Arts Council
The arts sector in Northern Ireland is losing the equivalent of £250,000 under the draft budget, the Arts Council warned tonight. more >
Arts world at Stormont in funds fight
Artists, writers and actors from across Northern Ireland were due to take their fight for better funding for the arts to the steps of Stormont today. more >
Arts Sector rally to Save the Arts
Northern Ireland’s arts sector, supported by the Arts Council, organized the Keep Our Arts Alive rally in a bid to save the arts and to improve the allocation contained within the Draft Budget 2008-2011. more >
Arts and Disability website launched
On the international Day of Disabled People (Monday 3rd December), the Irish Arts Councils have launched a website that contains information, resources and facts about arts and disability. more >
November 2007
'Shock' at arts under-spend
The Department of Culture, Arts and Lesiure is being asked to explain why funding for the arts is hard to come when it underspent in the last financial year. more >
Community festivals to be boosted by Assembly
Next week the Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister is expected to unveil a new 'matching funds' scheme for community-based festivals which will operate in part through local councils. more >
Call to Keep Our Arts Alive
Keep our Arts Alive is the plea of the arts sector, as the Arts Council of Northern Ireland embarks on the second phase of a campaign for improved funding for the arts. more >
Festival funding talks 'positive'
A meeting between Northern Ireland's Arts Minister and Queen's University over the future of the Belfast Festival has been hailed as "positive" . more >
Safeguarding Per Cent for Art in Health and across the Public Sector
The Arts Council has produced a case in defense of Northern Ireland's 'percent for art' principle for public buildings. more >
Northern Ireland Assembly plans ‘devastating’ £1.3m arts cut
Northern Ireland’s cultural industry has been left reeling by the announcement of further cuts in its funding. more >
October 2007
Disability Strategy and Action Plan 2007 - 2008
The Arts Council wishes to consult as widely as possible with all interested parties on the outcomes of the Disability Strategy and Action Plan 2007 - 2008 screening. more >
Arts in Northern Ireland headed for major crisis?
Funding for the arts in Northern Ireland has chronically been poor, and now it seems about to get significantly poorer. more >
Arts Council Statement on the Draft Budget 2008/11
The Arts Council has called on the Northern Ireland Assembly to rethink its budget allocation for the arts. more >
Open Letter for Arts Funding
The Arts Council has published an open letter to encourage the arts sector to campaign for increased funding for the arts. more >
Assembly supports motion for more Arts Funding
The Arts Council has warmly welcomed the positive outcome of the motion proposed to the Assembly to raise the level of arts funding to at least the United Kingdom average. more >
Arts Council Statement regarding Anna Lo’s motion for the arts
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland welcomes the announcement that South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo is proposing a motion in the Assembly on Tuesday 9th October calling for more funding for the arts. more >
September 2007
Art at the Heart
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland's annual conference 2007 will explore the theme of socially and politically engaged art. more >
August 2007
The case for hospital art
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Chairman Rosemary Kelly on the issue of 'per cent for art' principle in healthcare capital spending. more >
Arts Council welcomes Meryl Streep to drive regeneration in Belfast
The Arts Council welcomed Meryl Streep to Belfast to endorse a new purpose-built performing arts venue for social, economic and cultural re-generation. more >
Streep backs arts cash drive
Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep arrived in the North today to boost an arts funding campaign. more >
Hospital art plan not a pretty picture
The whole point of having an Assembly is to allow a local input into decision-making, and there is no doubt where people stand on art in hospitals. more >
Actual and Perceived Barriers to Publicly Funded Arts
A 2005 research report has just been published online by the Arts Council. more >
Individual artist programme evaluation
The Arts Council has just released an evaluation of its the Support for Individual Artist Programme. more >
May 2012
Sustainable Creativity in Healthcare
With an emphasis on a participatory approach, the Anniversary Conference will provide an opportunity for experts, and all those interested in Arts in Health Practice and Evaluation across the globe to come together. more >
November 2009
Create n' Innovate ’09
A key event within the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. It comprises two days of presentations, panels and workshops, highlighting and exploring ideas and good practice in creativity and innovation, and its importance for our economies, our societies and our futures. more >
June 2009
Arts Council conference - Art and conflict
‘Art and Conflict’ provides a timely opportunity to explore the increasing reach and importance of the arts around the world in the process of healing and supporting societies in transformation. The conference theme also explores how artists represent conflict and its legacy. more >
November 2007
Art at the Heart
Art at the Heart is a one-day conference, organised by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, exploring the theme of socially and politically engaged art. more >
May 2012
Creative Partnerships
‘Creative Partnerships’ is a guide for arts and cultural organisations in Northern Ireland to building international partnerships and accessing European funding more >
January 2011
Survey on the Impact of the current economic climate on Regularly Funded Organisations
This report was prepared to help the Arts Council better understand the current and future challenges facing the arts sector in Northern Ireland as a result of the economic downturn. Undertaking a survey of our Regularly Funded Organisations has provided us with evidence of the challenges facing the sector and enabled us to propose a number of recommendations for organisations to consider over the next few years. more >
Why we must maintain funding for the arts
Making a case for the Arts – key advocacy messages. more >
November 2010
Advocacy Guide: Making the case for the Arts
This guide can help you to indicate how the arts are of value to society and the wider economy. more >
August 2010
Arts Council Study reveals poor living and working conditions of artists
New research published today by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, reveals how many artists are now working on the island, the level of state support provided to artists in other countries, and the challenges they face as they pursue their chosen professions. more >
February 2010
Arts and Older People
ACNI’s central aim in developing this arts and older people strategy is to assist older people overcome barriers and increase access and participation in arts-related projects that address both their creative and social needs. more >
January 2010
Arts Council response to CAL report on its inquiry into arts funding in Northern Ireland
The Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee opened its ‘Inquiry into the Funding of the Arts in Northern Ireland’ in January 2009. The Arts Council's response to the findings are now available. more >
August 2009
Cultural and Leisure Activities and Events: Impact of the economic downturn on participation and attendance – DCAL Research Findings 4/2009
New statistical bulletin released on ‘Cultural and Leisure Activities and Events: Impact of the economic downturn on participation and attendance – DCAL Research Findings 4/2009’ more >
July 2009
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Annual Review 2008 : 2009
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has published their annual report for 2008 to 2009 and it is now available for download in pdf format. more >
April 2009
Annual Review 2008-09
This Annual Review 2008-09, outlines the progress that has been made from international profiling of the arts and expansion of arts-led regeneration projects, to strengthening connections with the business sector and the start of Northern Ireland’s participation in the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. more >
January 2009
Philanthropy and the Arts
Philanthropy and the Arts. An overview of recent developments in philanthropy with particular reference to Philanthropy and the Arts in Northern Ireland. This report was commissioned by Arts & Business Northern Ireland more >
November 2008
Grant distribution analysis Nov 2008
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has made available a grant distribuition analysis more >
October 2008
Arts, education and other learning settings: a research digest
The Arts Council is delighted to announce a new resource which makes available, in summary form, a very wide range of research, including a number of action research projects, undertaken in the field of arts-in-education in Ireland. more >
September 2008
Social and Economic Value of Public Libraries, Museums, Arts and Sport in Northern Ireland
A new report produced by Pricewaterhousecoopers, commissioned by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure of Northern Ireland looks at the Social and Economic Value of Public Libraries, Museums, Arts and Sport in Northern Ireland. more >
July 2008
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Annual report and accounts 2007-2008
2007-2008 proved to be a turbulent year for arts funding in Northern Ireland, with National Lottery cutbacks and the Northern Ireland Budget 2008-2011 dominating headlines. more >
April 2008
Arts Council Annual Report 2006-2007
A summary of the Arts Council's 2006/07 activities. more >
September 2007
Designing a model to estimate the Social and Economic Value of Public Libraries, Museums, Arts and Sport in Northern Ireland
A report from the first phase of a two-phase project to estimate the potential benefits arising from sports, arts, museums and libraries. more >
Development of a Drama Strategy: Summary Report
Sets out recommendations for a new drama strategy for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. more >
July 2005
Research into the Actual and Perceived Barriers to Publicly Funded Arts in Northern Ireland
Research into the actual and perceived barriers to publicly funded arts in Northern Ireland... more >
August 2004
Review of the Support for the Individual Artist Programme
An independent review of the effectiveness of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's Support for Individual Artist Programme. more >
January 2004
Voluntary and Community Arts Evaluation Toolkit
The toolkit provides a consistent and sympathetic method of measuring the social impact of arts groups working in the community and voluntary sectors. more >
January 2001
Guidance to district councils on the development of local cultural strategies
In Northern Ireland the District Councils have a statutory authority under the Recreation and Youth Service Order to provide for sport and leisure. more >
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