ARTS COUNCIL BACKS CITY OF CULTURE BID 13 December 2001 The Arts Council this evening made clear its funding commitment to the success of Belfast’s bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2008. The endorsement came at an Arts Council reception for artists and arts organisations held in the Lyric Players’ Theatre on behalf of Imagine Belfast 2008, the company leading Belfast’s bid. Professor Brian Walker, Chairman of the Arts Council, reaffirmed the support for the bid among the arts constituency in what he called "this extraordinary city". Responding to a short address by Shona McCarthy of Imagine Belfast, Prof Walker outlined new measures being taken by the Arts Council. "In addition to the support we give annually to strengthen the arts infrastructure in Belfast, we are putting in place mechanisms to ensure that imaginative, original and creative ideas coming from the arts sector which are in tune with the vision of Imagine Belfast will find adequate dedicated funding from the Arts Council. These funds for arts organisations and projects will be in addition to the whole range of Lottery programmes from Awards for All, New Work, Audience Development, Access, Capital and Film." "The vision of a renewed city which can secure and deserve the allegiance and affection of its citizens is in the process of being tied to objectives, targets, with associated actions, delivery mechanisms and deadlines," Prof Walker said. "Such flexibility in funding is vital at a time when the Arts Council is again facing a belt-tightening annual allocation from government." Prof Walker spoke of his long-standing commitment to the cultural future of Belfast, as well as of Northern Ireland. "My own personal, and the Council’s collective, commitment to establishing a new, free-standing gallery to showcase the best of the visual arts this region has produced is a matter of record," he said. |
