Language Arts

Artform News

7th February 2008
Vacancies - Arts Development Officers:
Language Arts (Irish), Language Arts (Ulster Scots) - Applications are now closed

10th December 2007
Arts Sector rally to Save the Arts

Artform Definition

The ‘language arts’ refer to those arts which involve or are spoken in Irish, Ulster Scots or both.

Irish-language arts are directly related to Irish, with particular emphasis on creative writing and theatre. Ulster Scots arts comprise all those arts activities in Northern Ireland with primarily Scottish roots.

The Arts Council recognised the need to develop the language arts after extensive consultation (see links below). We have supported applications from the sector for many years and have recently deepened our commitment to an area which has gained a new importance in matters of identity, belonging and creativity.

Artists may apply for financial support, assistance with travel and research and major awards. Funding is available for publishers towards the commissioning, production and marketing of works in these languages and cultural communities. Artistic magazines are also eligible for funding.

We also support platforms where artists can air their work to new and informed audiences. The Council encourages new readerships and new audiences for these arts by assisting readings, performances and roadshows and by enabling schools and community groups to experience the language arts first-hand in workshops and short-term residencies.

Publications and Information

Artform Policy Document (PDF)

Audit and Needs Analysis of the Arts of Irish and Ulster Scots (2003)
- Irish, Ulster Scots, English and Sectoral Consultation Report by Pobal

The Arts of Irish (published 2005)

The Arts of Ulster Scots (2005)

Current initiatives

• The Council has agreed a partnership with Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch and Foras na Gaeilge to appoint dedicated Arts Development Officers with responsibility for Language Arts.

• We are supporting an Arts Cultural Development Officer with the Ulster Scots Heritage Council.

• The Council is funding a four-page arts supplement to be included twice a week (Wednesday and Friday) in the national Irish language newspaper Lá.

• POBAL, the Irish-language umbrella agency, tours a roadshow of top Irish-language arts acts across Northern Ireland. This is a three-year initiative supported by the Arts Council.

• The Council also core-funds Aisling Ghéar, the Irish-language theatre company, Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich (an Irish-language arts centre in Belfast), Bláthanna (an Irish-language arts project in Derry) and An tUltach, a monthly cultural magazine.
  
  
  

Contact Us


Further information on any of the Council’s funding programmes and/or its strategic interests in Language Arts may be obtained from:

Damian Smyth
Arts Development Officer (Literature and Language Arts)
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
MacNeice House
77 Malone Road
Belfast. BT9 6AQ
Tel: 028 9038 5244
Email: dsmyth@artscouncil-ni.org

Relevant Links

Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich

POBAL

Nuacht

Arts Council useful links (Literature and Language)