Arts funding awards rise by a quarter

The Arts Council has today allocated more than £7.1 million to 129 arts organisations throughout Northern Ireland – almost £1.5 million, or 25% up on last year.

Art Council Chairman Prof Brian Walker described the funding round as designed to "strengthen those organisations which are the backbone of the arts" in Northern Ireland.

"As well as significantly increasing funding to all our arts organisations, we have been able to direct resources to youth arts and health arts organisations which provide so many in our community with a valuable experience of performance and participation," he said.

This year up to 24 organisations have received funding for the first time and funding for voluntary arts and disability arts has risen by 113% to £279,000. In addition to approving the ASOP allocations, the Council agreed to boost the budget of its Support for the Individual Artist Programme from its current £500,000 annual budget to more than £1,000,000 per annum. This programme provides support for the individual artist, promotes their work locally and internationally and improves income, training and employment opportunities.

Council Chief Executive, Roisin McDonough, described how funding was shaping up according to the objectives of the Council’s five-year strategy.

"We have taken immediate steps to stave off erosion of the arts infrastructure, to enhance provision in the youth arts and disability arts sector and to bring new arts organisations on board. We are on target to secure the radical change described in our strategy," she said.

Last year, the Council allocated more than £5.7 million to 113 arts organisations out of a total budget of £7.4 million – the total budget available this year was £10.65 million.

In addition, the Council received £250,000 from the Department of Education for the funding of organisations with a ‘cultural traditions’ remit.

(GMcG)