Lobbying Activities |
Lobbying Activities
• Local Government (FLGA / NILGA):
The Arts Council reaches every local council in Northern Ireland through the Forum for Local Government and the Arts (FLGA).
The Arts Council has had a presence (stand) at the NILGA Annual Conference (15, 16 February, 2007); lunchtime symposium for delegates / elected representatives; production of 2 newsletters (December, 2006 & February, 2007), including ‘Election ’07 Special’; statements from main political parties, ‘What the arts means to us…’. Further special issue planned on local arts spending.
Meetings with locally elected councillors through FLGA Plenary Meetings (24 January, 2007 and through Executive Committee (meetings: 11 January, 29 March). Progress to date assessed at the Executive Committee meeting 10 May, 2007.
Plenary 23 May, 2007 (The Alley Arts Centre, Strabane): representatives of four main political parties participated in a panel debate, responding to questions on arts funding.
Meetings with Belfast City Council’s Arts & Heritage Sub Committee.
• Engaging with Locally Elected Representatives:
The Arts Council has secured the commitment of local political parties to include support for the arts in their Assembly Election manifestos:
E.g. SDLP Election Manifesto - Let’s Deliver Real Progress:
“Arts: A thriving Arts landscape offers the chance to enrich and educate, to share and discover. Ireland has a proud artistic history, which we will respect and foster local talent. Reverse direct rule funding cuts for the arts which have left the Arts Council with a substantially lower budget than its counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales.”
“… Encourage greater investment in community-based arts schemes, in recognition that the employment rate within the creative industries sector is growing faster than the UK average.
… Involve young people in regeneration of their own areas by developing relevant cultural schemes and strategically harmonise development of the arts and development of community relations.” - SDLP: February, 2007.
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland met with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on Monday 14th January to reinforce the case for increased funding for the arts in Northern Ireland.
Rosemary Kelly, Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland said, “The Arts Council was warmly welcomed by the Deputy First Minister. We reiterated the intrinsic value of the arts to society, and the vital role they play in social and economic re-generation. We also stressed the implications for artists, arts organisations and local communities in Northern Ireland if the proposed draft budget allocation remained unchanged.
The Arts Council has been steadfast in making its compelling case to government over recent months, and we noted the coherent supporting voice from the sector through the Keep Our Arts Alive campaign. We also expressed appreciation for the supporting vote from all the main political parties in the Assembly on 9 October 2007.
We drew attention to the fact that two thirds of the total Consultation Responses on the web-site support increased funding for the arts, and noted the dominant voice of the arts representation at each of the budget consultation meetings, and the strong media coverage generated by the rally at Stormont.
The meeting was hospitable and constructive, and the Minister was receptive to the arguments around funding issues, and the adverse impact the proposed draft budget would have on artistic and cultural endeavours across Northern Ireland.”
• Ongoing Programme of one-to-one Meetings with Party Leaders, Culture & Arts Representatives of the Parties of the Northern Ireland Assembly:
Before assuming his new responsibilities, the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure and Lagan Valley Assembly member, Edwin Poots, met with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Arts Council on Wednesday 2 May. During the meeting the Council’s submission for additional arts funding was highlighted. The minister was urged to give careful consideration to the CSR bid as success will mean a ‘make-or-break’ difference to our artists and arts organisations. Click here for more.
Recent meetings:
Gerry Adams MP, Francie Brolley MLA (15 January, 2007); Gregory Campbell MP (2 February, 2007); meeting with Anna Lo MLA; discussions with Pat Ramsey MLA (23 March, 2007, 26 April, 17 May 2007); correspondence with Lady Sylvia Hermon (18, 26 April, 2007); and Barry McElduff, Chair Designate Culture, Arts & Leisure Committee, Northern Ireland Assembly (25 April 2007). Barry McElduff (Sinn Fein) has requested further information about the funding campaign.
Meeting with SDLP team at Stormont on 17 May, 2007 with Pat Ramsey, Dominic Bradley (Culture, Arts & Leisure committee members) and Cllr. Sean Carr. One of our proposals for a plenary motion has been accepted by the Business Office, but deferred; significant pressures on time for Assembly plenary debates.
A further meeting occurred with one of the SDLP political advisers on 23 May, 2007 to stimulate written and oral questions.
Arts Council Chairman has written to all CAL Committee members enclosing revised CSR2007 bid document. Formally requested of CAL Committee Clerk (Linda Gregg) opportunity to make a presentation to CAL committee on funding pressures but also what will be delivered as a result of extra funding. Regular updates to Committee members on projects, funding issues, local groups, local constituency issues. MLAs have emphasized the need to hear directly from the agencies / public bodies that fund groups (as well as DCAL officials).
Alliance spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA issued a press release (18 May, 2007) calling for increased funding for the Arts Council. He raised the issue at the Assembly's first CAL committee meeting (17 May, 2007), stating that “there is severe underfunding of the Arts Council” and that "Alliance will be keeping the pressure on the DCAL Minister Edwin Poots to deliver the funding package that our local arts sector deserves." Arts Council has written to Kieran McCarthy MLA to suggest a follow-up meeting (22 May, 2007).
Nine-page Briefing Paper prepared and provided for CAL Committee outlining the role of the Arts Council: what it does, who we are; the funding crisis; the Lottery funding crisis; the role of the private sector and trust funds; what has been achieved with limited funds and what more could be achieved with an additional £26m.
Arts Council presentation at CAL Committee, 24 June, 2007:
The Arts Council presented the case for increased funding for the arts to the statutory committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure. The Council was warmly welcomed. Members were responsive to the case for increased funding and recognized the significant contribution that the arts make to the economic growth of Northern Ireland. The group also pledged to support the Arts Council with its case for more a positive settlement in this autumn’s public spending review.
Barry McElduff, Chairman of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure said:
“The Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure was delighted to receive a presentation from the Arts Council. The Committee is well aware that the arts is under - funded, and with the many competing bids unfortunately is usually well down the list for allocation of additional funding. Members are very supportive of the work of the Arts Council, and in particular the allocation of additional funding for the arts within local communities. As a committee we will be supporting the Council in their bid for increased funding”.
Call for CAL Committee Inquiry
At its meeting of 31 May, 2007 the Culture, Arts & Leisure Statutory Committee accepted a motion from Paul Maskey that the Committee undertake a full inquiry into arts funding: “To look into the consistent under funding and lack of investment into the Arts and Culture sector in the North of Ireland and if greater investment and budget for organisations such as the Arts Council would create a greater dividend to the community on a cultural basis?”
Engagement with Northern Ireland Assembly:
Arts Council Chairman has written to all Culture Arts and Leisure Committee members enclosing revised CSR2007 bid document.
Arts Council meets with Chair of Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure (21 June 2007)
Following the presentation by the Arts Council to the CAL Committee on May 24th, the Chair of the CAL Committee, Barry McElduff, met on June 21st with the Arts Council’s Chairman, Chief Executive and Director of Strategic Development to consider in greater detail the funding pressures on the arts sector, the proposals set out in a bid document developed by ACNI for the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, and opportunities to raise these issues with other Northern Ireland departments.
Mr McIlduff agreed that there was now a good level of awareness of the convincing case for the arts, and reinforced the importance of feeding into the Priorities and Budgets document using arguments that demonstrate how the arts can contribute to the emerging themes of the interim Programme for Government 2007/2008 and the longer-term ambitions of the PfG document. He also observed that there was increasing recognition of the importance of arts projects to Health and Education, and suggested that the Arts Council draws attention to the legacy of special initiatives such as the Creative Youth Partnerships to illustrate the high value-added in terms of educational gain, confidence-building, literacy and skills development. The Arts Council will produce a summary of its Comprehensive Spending Review proposal, tailored to feed into the planning processes and priorities of the other key spending departments – Health, Education, Social Development, Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
Arts Minister meets with the Arts Council (22 June 2007)
Edwin Poots MLA, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, paid his first formal visit to the Arts Council. Meeting with the Chairman, Chief Executive, members of the Council and staff, the Minister listened attentively to the Council’s update on recent developments and on funding issues impacting on the sector. The meeting was genial and constructive, and the Minister was receptive to the issues raised by members of the Council.
Arts Council meets with Richard Bullick, Special Adviser to Finance Minister, Peter Robinson MP, MLA (27 July 2007)
Arts Council meets with Emma Little, Special Adviser to the First Minister, Ian Paisley MP, MLA
(3 August 2007)
Arts Council meets with Dara O’Hagan, Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MP, MLA (7 August 2007)
Arts Council meets with Wallace Thompson, special advisor to DETI Minister, Nigel Dodds, MP MLA (25 September 2007)
Arts Council met with the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, to discuss the draft Budget and consequences for the sector. A separate meeting followed with David McNarry MLA, Deputy Chairman of the CAL Committee (28th November 2007)
• Preparation of Submission to DCAL under CSR2007 (22 February, 2007) & Subsequent Addendum - Post DCMS Announcement (25 April 2007):
Document submitted to Maria Eagle MP Minister for Culture, Arts & Leisure.
For a full list of recipients of the portfolio of evidence click here
• Media Campaign:
Prominent radio, television and press coverage of launch of strategy and funding campaign, including features in: The Stage, Belfast Telegraph, Arts Extra, Talk Back, local television news and interviews with Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle. Lyn Gardner in The Guardian (23 April, 2007) called for leadership in the arts in response to cuts in arts funding due to the Olympics Lottery raid, the reduction in Grants for the Arts and the unpromising Comprehensive Spending Review. She warned of losing “an entire generation of artists and producers” who “will have been unable to get funding at crucial early points in their careers.”
For a full list of related newspaper articles click here.
• Launch Of 5 Year Strategy:
Event at GOH, Baby Grand (29 January, 2007), large attendance, significant press coverage.
Event at Playhouse, Derry (16 April, 2007), large attendance, significant press coverage.
At Omagh (27 April, 2007) a lively gathering, including Chair Designate of the Assembly’s Culture, Arts & Leisure Committee who subsequently requested the written text of our statement and further details about the funding campaign. Armagh (21 May, 2007), included presentation by ‘Invest in Inspiration’ lobbying group.
• Community Representatives:
Consultation with community sector through NICVA, CAF, Arts Forum and VAI and sector lobby group – Invest in Inspiration & workshop with sector regarding Olympics & Lottery Funding 17 April, 2007.
• High Profile Celebrity Endorsement of Campaign:
Interview recorded with Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic, The Youth Philharmonic, teacher, broadcaster and author.
Interviews from Washington, Smithsonian Folklife Festival, 2007.
Barry Douglas, winner Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition (1986); has performed with every major international orchestra and collaborated with conductors such as Ashkenazy, Colin Davis, Jansons, Masur, Maazel, Previn, Rostropovich, Kurt Sanderling, Slatkin, Svetlanov, Tilson-Thomas and Temirkanov.
Local actor, Dan Gordon, “arts funding shouldn’t be a postcode lottery”.
Local choreographer, Jenny Elliot, “Artists in Northern Ireland are developing work that is world class; however, the current funding climate means that we are unable to showcase it on an international stage.”
Singer/songwriter, Duke Speical, says investing in the arts is something he feels strongly about as it has helped put Northern Ireland on the map in a positive light - Belfast Telegraph (3 May 2007)
• Launch of Sector’s Sister Campaign: Invest In Inspiration
Public campaign – campaigning toolkit, post card, etc.
Press coverage, speeches and attendance at Writers’ Square, 25 March, 2007.
The concern regarding the level of support for the arts and the implications of that to the people of Northern Ireland has been highlighted by a series of Parliamentary Questions asked at Westminister:
For a list of questions click here.
• Questions to the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure for oral answer:
The Rota for questions for oral answer allows one session for DCAL before the recess (11 June, 2007). Questions notified (those remaining unanswered after the plenary session to receive a written answer at a later date).
For a list of questions click here.
• Letters of Support:
In response to correspondence from the Chairman of the Arts Council in relation to concerns about future Lottery funding, letters of support have been received from Jeffrey Donaldson MP, William McCrea MP, Nigel Dodds MP, Ian Paisley MP, Eddie McGrady MP, and further questions raised in Parliament.
• Trades Unions:
Meetings with EQUITY and the Musicians’ Union. Musician’s Union (Northern Ireland Chapter) has written to cultural spokespersons of Northern Ireland parties and MLAs.
• Performing Arts Alliance Group:
Meeting with the Performing Arts Alliance Group in the House of Commons (13 March, 2007) in tandem with representatives from Equity, the MU and Writers’ Guild. This worked very well. The Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, the South Staffordshire Conservative MP, Sir Patrick Cormack briefly attended the meeting with the Performing Arts Alliance and suggested a further discussion. (The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee examines expenditure, administration and policy of the Northern Ireland Office and other matters within the responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland). Sir Patrick Cormack has since advised the chairman (by letter) that he will (a) take-up the issue with Tessa Jowell; (b) report the matter to the NI Affairs Committee (c) write to the Devolved Minister and Committee Chairman, indicating his concern.
• Standing Together with the Other UK Arts Councils:
Meeting of UK Arts Councils Chief Executives (30 March, 2007); common agreement reached to seek “compensating adjustment” for re-diversion of Lottery funds through CSR2007.
ACNI hosted meeting of UK Arts Councils advocacy directors (5 June, 2007) to discuss common lines that might be taken e.g. networking opportunities; the revised timetable for CSR2007; the Arts in Parliament Day (and what we might do to alert MPs from the devolved administrations to these events) and further ideas or common points regarding the response to the pre-legislative stage consultation on the Lottery (draft Statutory Instrument). ACE is working on a proposed theme of 39p per week, per household = £20.28 x 21.71m. (English Regions, 2006 figure), which is £440,278,800 (i.e. roughly increased by inflation x 2, or thereabouts) in response to gloomy predictions from Treasury of a tight spending round.
• Raising Awareness – All Island Approach:
Joint Plenary of the two Arts Councils held in Dublin (2 April 2007).
• Secretary Of State, Culture Media & Sport:
Letter from ACNI Chairman protesting at the diversion of Lottery funds (19 April, 2007).
Text of letter copied to all Northern Ireland MPs with accompanying letter (8 May, 2007).
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• Dedicated Section Of ACNI Website:
Dedicated section of website live from 2 May, 2007 including features, latest news, key facts, reference to sector campaign and summary of CSR2007 Bid.
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