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Northern Ireland

Quick Facts

The Mandate
The Arts of Northern Ireland/Comhairle Ealaíon Thuaisceart Éireann was established by legislation in 1995. Its mandate is “The arts: inspring the imagination, building the future.”
The Council serves professional arts, community arts, amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, folk or traditional culture, galleries, cultural industries, writing, support for book publishing, media arts, multi-media and arts education.
The Council
<UL type=disc>
<LI>provides financial support to arts/cultural organisations 
<LI>provides financial support to individuals in the arts/culture 
<LI>advises the national government on matters related to the arts/culture 
<LI>develops national arts/cultural policies 
<LI>implements national arts/cultural policies 
<LI>evaluates national arts/cultural policies 
<LI>conducts research in the arts/culture 
<LI>compiles and maintains national cultural statistics and databases 
<LI>promotes public understanding and appreciation of the arts/culture 
<LI>organises and manages cultural activities or events
<LI>publishes books and/or magazines </LI></UL>
The Governing Body
The functions of the governing body of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland are:
<UL>
<LI>To develop and improve the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts
<LI>To increase public access ti, and participation in, the arts
<LI>To advise the sponsoring department and other government departments, local authorities and the the bodies on matters realting to the arts.</LI></UL>

The 15 members of the Council are appointed by the Arts Minister.  The length of a members term is determined by the Secretary of State and is usually 4 years
The Staff
Council employees are members of the public service. There are currently 46 staff in total. The chief executive officer is appointed by the governing body. The staff who have direct program responsibilities (those who manage programs of support to organisations and/or individuals) come from the field. The organisation has no regional offices. 

Relationship with Government
Decisions are taken by the Council which is appointed by the minister, followin public advertisement and subsequent appointment process.  The sponsoring department, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, cannot exercise its powers with the intention of interfering with the exercise of the Council’s artistic judgement.  The CEO is accountable to the Permanent Secretary of the sponsoring government department.  

The government
<UL type=disc>
<LI>determines the amount of funding the organization receives. </LI></UL>
The Council
<UL type=disc>
<LI>Is required to file an annual report
<LI>determines its own policies 
<LI>determines its own current priorities 
<LI>establishes its own strategic plan 
<LI>appoints its chief executive officer 
<LI>selects its other staff members 
<LI>determines the allocation of the budget to various programs and activities 
<LI>establishes its various funding programs 
<LI>determines who will receive its financial support. </LI></UL>
Within limits, the government can issue directions relating to the distribution of National Lottery proceeds which go to the arts.  The Council co-operates with other independent funding bodies. 

Budget and Revenue Sources
The organizations total budget for 2003-2004 is £17.86 million (approx US$28 million). 62% of this budget is contributed by the national government, while 38% is generated by the lottery.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland receives annual funding from the governments general revenues or culture budget and government revenues derived from the lottery. Over the last five years, funding from government has increased.

Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community
The Council provides financial support to organizations and individuals, and it provides financial support to lower levels of government. Most of its programs are organized by discipline or sector. 
The funds can be used for
<UL type=disc>
<LI>creation 
<LI>research and development 
<LI>production, presentation and exhibition 
<LI>publication 
<LI>the operations of an organization 
<LI>capital expenses (new buildings, renovations, etc.) 
<LI>deficit reduction. </LI></UL>
Program funds cannot be used for any purpose other than those listed above.

Assessment of Applications for Financial Support
Applications for financial support are assessed by arts officers and within the Arts Council and peer assessors who are selected through public advertisement.   The assessors make recommendations to Council via the officers, who formally process the applications. A peer assessor may serve in that capacity between for three years.
Assessors are required to record any potential conflicts of interest, and a declaration of interest form is filed with the relevant Council department or secretariat.
Greatest Current Challenge
The greatest challenges are maintenance and growth of central government funding levels.

Greatest Current Strength
The organisations’s greatest strength is that it has a clearly focused, re-aligned organisational structure, that enjoys a good relationship with government.
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Arts Council of Northern Ireland

National Member (Full) of IFACCA
Website: http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/

National Organisations
Subnational Organisations

Department of Communities — Dx
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/
North Down Borough Council — Rxo
http://www.worthdown.gov.uk
Northern Ireland Assembly — Dxo
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk
Voluntary Arts Ireland — A
http://www.vaireland.org/

No subnational organisations listed.

News from Northern Ireland

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