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Arts Council of Northern Ireland launches architectural policy
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland yesterday unveiled plans to transform the country’s architecture and built environment. The new policy, which has been four years in the making, outlines plans to support the high quality design of new buildings and public spaces, through recommendations including: the introduction of a Built Environment Task Force; a ‘Quality Watchdog’ based on existing European models; and the establishment of an Architecture Centre for Northern Ireland. The policy also recommends a review of the current planning process to support high quality contemporary design, and the promotion of design excellence through individual and civic award schemes. Arts Council Chief Executive, Roisin McDonough, said the policy aims to provide quality built environments to meet the basic needs of communities. ‘For many people, their built environment does not meet even the simplest of their needs – a decent home, access to local amenities and open space, a pleasant and stimulating place to work, opportunities for leisure, fresh air and a quiet, clean and safe environment,’ she said. ‘Our ability to meet these needs largely depends on the quality of the built environments we make.’ Meanwhile, architecture is now considered to be ‘on par’ with other artforms on the arts council agenda, with the appointment of an Architecture and Public Art Officer, Paul Harron, also being announced. McDonough said that as of April, Special Initiative Funding of £120,000 would be made available to kick-start the campaign, with small-scale projects such as lectures, exhibitions and publications. The arts council also announced that funding is still available through the Capital Fund – which has so far supported the building of the Marketplace Theatre in Armagh City, the Millennium Forum in Derry City, the Burnavon in Cookstown and the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn City. Dr Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary for the Department of Culture, Arts and Development, while endorsing the document, commented that it would require interdepartmental co-operation. ‘There are clearly implications for a number of government departments, and I intend to convene a working group to consider how these can be taken forward,’ she said. The policy document is the result of a consultation and review undertaken by a working party of artists, architects and property experts, established in 1998.
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