Cash Injection for North West Arts Sector

17/01/2008

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland today (Wednesday 16th January) welcomes the announcement that the North West area will benefit from a £2.2m cash injection towards the artistic and cultural regeneration of the City.

The North West Cultural Challenge Fund and the Integrated Development Fund have extended £1.4m to the re-development of the Nerve Centre and £800,000 to the commissioning of an iconic piece of public artwork. This announcement marks the second phase of awards allocated as part of the £4 million North West Cultural Challenge Fund and enhances the support already awarded by the Arts Council in the area.

Lorraine McDowell, Director of Operations at the Arts Council commented on the award: “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has been a long term revenue funder of artists and arts organizations within the North West area and we are delighted that this funding will contribute to their sustainability and undoubtedly move the city forward in an international context.”

The Challenge Fund for the arts and cultural sector in the North West was introduced as part of the Ilex Regeneration Strategy for the Derry City Council area. A steering group comprising members from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Department of Social Development, the Arts Council, Ilex and Derry City Council was established to oversee distribution of the fund.

The Arts Council will manage the delivery of the capital projects to ensure that the City continues to develop its arts infrastructure. The organizations funded to date include the The Waterside Theatre, The Playhouse Theatre, An Gaeláras, The Void Gallery, The Gas Yard, The Verbal Arts Centre and the recently announced Nerve Centre.

The Challenge Fund’s public artwork will be the largest public commission in Northern Ireland and as a major tourist attraction it will act as an economic driver for the City. The artwork will be commissioned through a public consultation process and aims to build a unique identity for the area.