Local Talent To Share In £67k Fund

A group of talented local artists are to benefit from a share of £67,000 to support the creation of new work and boost their professional careers.

The funding, provided through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's ACES awards 2019-20, is a National Lottery supported grant bestowed on emerging artists to further their development and foster success.

In addition to receiving a bursary of up to £5,000 each, many of the 14 artists have been partnered with a professional organisation or leading artist, at home or abroad, to help each of them to deliver new creative work. Some of these partners include; Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's University Belfast, Golden Thread Gallery, Dumbworld, international choreographer, Judith Camero, Champion Sound Music, Kabosh, Seamus Heaney HomePlace and Sonic Arts Research Centre.

Awards under the Artists Career Enhancement Scheme (ACES) are made annually to professional artists working in music, visual arts, drama, dance, literature and participatory arts and are among the most prestigious awards bestowed by the Arts Council. This year's awardees includes five literature awardees, four musicians, two visual artists, one drama awardee and one dance awardee.

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: "These 14 artists are already established and highly regarded in each of their fields. The ACES awards are given in recognition of their work to date and also to provide them with financial support to take their careers to that vital next level. The ACES programme has been running successfully now for ten years and addresses the need for on-going training and skills development within the arts sector."



(JG/CM)