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11/02/2008
Cash Injection Spells A Bright Future For The Belfast Festival
The organisers of the once troubled Belfast Festival at Queens can breath a sigh of relief today after Ulster Bank announced a major three-year sponsorship deal of the annual arts event. The deal is believed to be worth over £1m.
The news has been hailed as "a new dawn" for the festival, which was faced with closure just over a year ago due to a shortfall in public and private funding.
Speaking at a special ceremony this morning Ulster Bank Group Chief Executive Cormac McCarthy said the bank's support of the arts would help bring the festival to a wider audience.
Today's news follows the announcement last December of a £300,000 grant for the festival over the next three years from Arts and Culture Minister Edwin Poots.
Festival Director Graeme Farrow said the new deal would help deliver some of the biggest and best festivals in years.
"In previous years we haven't had the kind of money to spend to make the festival visible in the city centre," he said.
"One thing is for sure, this year, if you are in Belfast you'll know there's a major event going on."
Northern Ireland Arts Minister Edwin Poots has said that the bank's move should send out a clear message to the business community that the arts sector is a good investment. He also added: "This is not just philanthropy, but also good business that will benefit our community, our economy and our perception around the world."
(GC)
The news has been hailed as "a new dawn" for the festival, which was faced with closure just over a year ago due to a shortfall in public and private funding.
Speaking at a special ceremony this morning Ulster Bank Group Chief Executive Cormac McCarthy said the bank's support of the arts would help bring the festival to a wider audience.
Today's news follows the announcement last December of a £300,000 grant for the festival over the next three years from Arts and Culture Minister Edwin Poots.
Festival Director Graeme Farrow said the new deal would help deliver some of the biggest and best festivals in years.
"In previous years we haven't had the kind of money to spend to make the festival visible in the city centre," he said.
"One thing is for sure, this year, if you are in Belfast you'll know there's a major event going on."
Northern Ireland Arts Minister Edwin Poots has said that the bank's move should send out a clear message to the business community that the arts sector is a good investment. He also added: "This is not just philanthropy, but also good business that will benefit our community, our economy and our perception around the world."
(GC)
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07 August 2019
Local Theatre Talent Set For Edinburgh Festival
Three local theatre groups are due to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe later this month. With the support of the Arts Council and British Council of Northern Ireland, the arts organisations will stage productions that showcase some of the best of local talent at the popular festivals.
Local Theatre Talent Set For Edinburgh Festival
Three local theatre groups are due to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe later this month. With the support of the Arts Council and British Council of Northern Ireland, the arts organisations will stage productions that showcase some of the best of local talent at the popular festivals.
06 August 2021
Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Returns
The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival has announced its return from 02-12 September with a programme of live music, comedy, literature, theatre and more.
Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Returns
The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival has announced its return from 02-12 September with a programme of live music, comedy, literature, theatre and more.
06 May 2011
Belfast Book Festival Announced
The Belfast Book Festival 2011 is a week of celebration of the book, the reader and the writer taking place this June.
Belfast Book Festival Announced
The Belfast Book Festival 2011 is a week of celebration of the book, the reader and the writer taking place this June.
10 May 2013
Queen's Festival Announces New Director
The Belfast festival at Queen's has announced arts programmer and producer Richard Wakely as its new director. Mr Wakely is a former Managing Director of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, while his role as Commissioner for the China-Ireland Cultural Exchange Programme for the Irish government saw him tour throughout Europe, the UK and South America.
Queen's Festival Announces New Director
The Belfast festival at Queen's has announced arts programmer and producer Richard Wakely as its new director. Mr Wakely is a former Managing Director of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, while his role as Commissioner for the China-Ireland Cultural Exchange Programme for the Irish government saw him tour throughout Europe, the UK and South America.
24 August 2010
Queen's Festival On The Way
This year's Ulster Bank Festival at Queen's was launched this week by Stormont Arts Minister Nelson McCausland along with party colleague, the Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster.
Queen's Festival On The Way
This year's Ulster Bank Festival at Queen's was launched this week by Stormont Arts Minister Nelson McCausland along with party colleague, the Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
