Public Urged To Vote On New Creative Ideas For Belfast

Belfast City Hall is set to be transformed into a 'Bank of Ideas' as part of the ongoing Belfast 2024 programme.

On Sunday 2 June, a creative Voting Day will take place in City Hall, allowing the public to vote for their favourite creative ideas, which they would like to see funded in their area.

A wide range of ideas have been proposed from bicycle raves to recycled wildflower seed bombs, creative caravans to comedy shows.

Ideas will be presented at a market stall style event, with hopefuls showing off their creativity to gain votes.

The 'Bank of Ideas' has offered up to £2,000 to individuals, schools and community groups to do something special in their neighbourhoods during Belfast 2024 - the city's biggest ever creative and cultural celebration.

A maximum pot of £50,000 will see a minimum of 25 projects supported to make their ideas a reality between June and October 2024.

Encouraging the community to come together on 2 June, Damien Martin, Belfast City Council's Strategic Director of Place and Economy said: "The fantastic part about the creative 'Bank of Ideas' project is that it is completely led by local people and encourages the people of Belfast to vote for the projects that will make a creative difference in their own communities.

"The 'Bank of Ideas' is at the very heart of what we are aiming to achieve this year as it gives residents a voice, brings communities together and most importantly, enables them to play a pivotal part in our wider Belfast 2024 programme.

"Belfast 2024 will ultimately be shaped by the people of our city, as we begin to think about the arts sector in a fresh way and in turn, creating something that is completely unique to Belfast.

"With over 125 ideas submitted, I would encourage everyone to come along on Sunday 2 June and think about our city in a new creative way by casting your vote for a bespoke project that you can actively engage with."

The voting day at City Hall is open to everyone including children and will also include circus workshops, performances, mini boat making facilities and a performance from the Belfast Ukelele Jam.

No prior registration is required and if unable to attend in person to vote, contact belfast2024@belfastcity.gov.uk for information.

The 'Bank of Ideas' is among a wide range of events and initiatives now underway through the Belfast 2024 programme.

By the end of 2024, Belfast City Council estimates that almost 200 events and activities will have been delivered through the Belfast 2024 programme, in addition to what is already planned by festival organisers and arts organisations across the city, with over 400,000 people visiting Belfast to explore and enjoy the arts and culture here.