Literature
Artform News
16th August 2010
Armagh author signs digital book deal
Artform Definition
The Arts Council assists and supports the development of writers, readers and publishers across a range of genres – poetry, novels/novellas, short stories, performance-based work, scriptwriting, non-fiction (including essays and criticism), storytelling, children’s books and graphic novels.
We are often the sole resource for literary culture which includes individuals and groups of writers and readers, publishers, organisations providing space, information and training, and a variety of other networks.
Writers may apply to the Arts Council for financial support, assistance with travel and research, and major awards. Funding is available for publishers towards the commissioning, production and marketing of literary publications. Literary magazines are also eligible for funding.
We also support reading platforms where writers can air their work to informed audiences. The Council encourages new readerships and new audiences for writing from Northern Ireland by assisting literary festivals, readings and roadshows. We also fund and administer schemes which enable local schools and community groups to experience writers first-hand in workshops and short-term residencies.
The Council also works with organisations in the Republic of Ireland to ensure opportunities for writers island-wide.
Publications and Information
Current initiatives
- Books NI, a company comprising four Arts Council-funded organisations (Blackstaff Press, Guildhall Press, Lagan Press, Verbal Arts Centre), is in the process of developing a ‘book space’ and common branding initiative for NI-published books, with the help of a grant from the Creative Industries Innovation Fund. Further information can be obtained from James.Kerr@verbalartscentre.co.uk.
- With the assistance of a Project Funding award, Yes! Publications in Londonderry has sought applications from those interested in writing and illustrating for children and is managing the second year of an intensive series of workshops and masterclasses.
- A new literature development and support organisation – LitNet-NI – has received funding from the Creative Industries Innovation Fund to develop mentoring and networking resources for writers in Northern Ireland. The objective is to enhance the training and skills of individual writers to boost professionalism in the sector.
- We are taking steps to increase the number and improve the quality of magazines for new writing. The Verbal Arts Centre in Derry produces Verbal, a monthly broadsheet of review, features and comment on literary matters. The Yellow Nib, the journal of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s, is published by Blackstaff Press.
- We fund a wide range of activities, through both Revenue and Lottery resources which are aimed at the creation and production of new poetry, new fiction and collaborative projects across artforms
- The Arts Council supports organisations and showcases such as the Verbal Arts Centre in Derry, Summer Palace Press, Yes! Publications, Ballycastle Creative Writers Group, Irish Pages, Guildhall Press, Poetry Ireland, the John Hewitt Society, the Linen Hall Library, Books Ireland, Lagan Press, CLÉ (the Irish Book Publishers Association) and Blackstaff Press.
Contact Us
Further information on any of the Council’s funding programmes and/or its strategic interests in Literature 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
Aspects Festival of Irish Literature
Arts Council useful links (Literature and Language)