Arts Council Rallies Support

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has urged the arts sector to respond to the government’s Review of Public Administration (RPA) by attending a series of workshops to discuss the future administration of the arts in Northern Ireland.

Rosemary Kelly , Chairman of the Arts Council , said: “The Review of Public Administration signals major changes to the delivery of public services in Northern Ireland. The Review affords a real opportunity to inform and influence government thinking on the future of the arts, but we can do so with impact only if we speak with a strong and united voice. It is vital that the Arts Council accurately represents and reflects the collective view on the major issues that affect our artists and organisations. With the arts in Northern Ireland already receiving by far the lowest levels of government spending per head of population across the UK and Ireland, it is important that the sector seizes this chance to make itself heard and impress upon government their unique contribution to the Northern Ireland society and the economy.”

Following an initial meeting which was held on the 21 st April at Belfast Exposed Arts Gallery to launch the response to the Review and attended by 50 arts representatives, five workshops, chaired by an independent facilitator, will take place across Northern Ireland.

The workshops will provide an opportunity for the arts sector to explore and discuss the proposals outlined in the Review document and put forward their recommendations, views and opinions for the future administration of the arts in Northern Ireland.

“We are at a critical moment in time when the importance of the arts to the citizen is coming into sharp relief”, explained Nick Livingston, Director of Strategic Development at the Arts Council.   “Throughout its 60-year history the Arts Council has been the principal agency for developing the arts and has supported and sustained artists and the creative arts. The Review holds important implications for the Arts, not least for the long-established principle that funding decisions are best done at ‘arm’s length’ from government.  The consultation on the Review of Public Administration represents an important strategic opportunity to marshal support from the sector and to strengthen the role of the Arts Council so that it has the capacity to work for the arts and the wider community”.

Individuals unable to attend any of the workshops and who wish to comment on the future administration of the arts in Northern Ireland would be encouraged to submit their opinions on the proposals either by e-mail to gstevenson@artscouncil-ni.org or in writing to:

Graeme Stevenson
Policy & Research Officer
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
MacNeice House
77 Malone Road
Belfast
BT9 6AQ

Notes to Editors

• The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is the lead development agency for the arts in Northern Ireland and the main support for artists and arts organisations throughout the region in a wide variety of artistic disciplines.

• The Review of Public Administration public consultation document was launched on March 22 nd 2005 by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for Finance, Ian Pearson, MP. The public consultation period is open until 30 September 2005. The Review is available on www.rpani.gov.uk/consult.htm

• Quintin Oliver from Stratagem will act as independent facilitator at the Arts Council consultation workshops.

• Confirmed Arts Council budgets across the British Isles for the financial year 2005-06:

• Arts Council England will receive £412,155,000 grant-in-aid (£8.32 per capita spend);
  
• the Scottish Arts Council will receive £54,196,000 grant-in-aid (£10.72 per capita spend);
  
• the Arts Council of Wales will receive £26,615,000 grant-in-aid (£9.12 per capita spend);
  
• An Chomhairle Ealaíon/Arts Council of Ireland will receive a 16% uplift, bringing its grant-in-aid to €61 million (equivalent to £41,911,000 [£10.70 per capita spend]);
  
• the Arts Council of Northern Ireland will receive £10,780,000 grant-in-aid from Central Government (£6.33 per capita spend [drop from £6.49 in 2004-05]).