Belfast Council welcomes gallery dedicated to artists with disabilities

Belfast City Council has welcomed the opening of the first art gallery in Ireland dedicated to the work of artists with disabilities.

The gallery has been opened in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter by the Arts and Disability Forum.

Councillor Eoin Ó Broin, Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Arts Sub-Committee, performed the official opening ceremony, and voiced his enthusiasm about the gallery’s potential: “We should not underestimate the power of cultural activity to allow us to celebrate our identity and diversity, to break down barriers and to help present a view of Belfast that is positive, open and progressive.

"The Arts and Disability Forum gallery has the potential to become a very important part of Belfast’s cultural offering, providing opportunities to raise the profile of Irish artists with disabilities, and their high quality work.”

In the coming year, the Arts and Disability Forum Gallery aims to host ten exhibitions by professional artists with disabilities, including two European or international exhibitions and two community ones.

As well as opening its new gallery, the Arts and Disability Forum is celebrating ten years of working to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in arts and cultural activities.

The Forum provides information to people with disabilities and organizations inside and outside the arts sector, provides networking and training opportunities for, and lobbies on behalf of people with disabilities working in the arts.

(MB)