Traditional Arts

Artform Definition

The traditional arts consists of:

• Singing in Irish, English, Hiberno-English and Ulster Scots;

• Storytelling;

• Music (incorporating Gaelic, Scottish and English traditions);

• Dance (including Irish, Scottish or other influences);

• Theatre (from mumming to morris to other forms of folk theatre);

• Architecture and Crafts (from stone-built cottages to weaving and toymaking);

• and a large body of folk-custom and belief.

The Arts Council endeavours to:

• Assist traditional musicians in the development of their knowledge, artistry and their professional careers;

• Foster and promote our heritage of traditional music, song and dance by supporting the collection, archiving, and dissemination of these artforms;

• Enhance understanding of cultural traditions and diversity in Ireland, the UK and around the globe;

• Support initiatives in traditional music education inside and outside the formal education sector;

• Support the showcasing of traditional arts through local festivals, concerts, education programmes, and other events.

Publications and Information


Artform Policy Document (PDF)

Reference Books

Companion to Irish Traditional Music

Crosbhealach an Cheoil - The Crossroads Conference Papers (Whinstone, Dublin, July 1999)

Journals

JMI-The Journal of Music in Ireland
Email: editor@thejmi.com

Treoir, (Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann)
Email: enquries@comhaltas.com

The Living Tradition
Email: admin@livingtradition.com

Current initiatives

• We consult with advisory panels when formulating policy and planning traditional arts projects.
  
  
• We fund a wide range of activities, through both revenue and lottery resources which are aimed at raising awareness and promoting critical debate and community participation.
  
  
• We produced a DVD-Rom on the traditional arts in the education sector.
  
  
• The Arts Council welcomes applications from individuals seeking to develop their artistic and professional practice through its Support for the Individual Artist Programme.

• Governance training was provided to Traditional Arts clients during October 2008. The Business Support Officer is available to support and advise Traditional Arts clients on an individual basis on all matters relevant to the governance of their organisations.
  
  

Contact Us

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

Maria McAlister
Arts Development Officer - Traditional Arts

Email: mmcalister@artscouncil-ni.org
Tel: 02890 385261 (direct line)
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
MacNeice House, 77 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 6AQ

Relevant Links

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

Na Píobairí Uilleann

The Traditional Irish Music Archive

Ulster Scots Agency

Arts Council useful links (Traditional Arts)