The Arts take to the stage in the Houses of Parliament |
28/04/2008
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland introduces a new performance by contemporary dancer, Ryan O’Neill in the Houses of Parliament. Arts in Parliament, is a nationwide celebration of the arts, offering MPs and Peers at Westminster a unique opportunity to enjoy performances by leading dancers from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. This is the first time that an artist from Northern Ireland has performed in Parliament.
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Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive and Dr. Philip Hammond, Director of Arts Support of the Arts Council will also update MPs and Peers at Westminster on the arts funding situation at the event on 30th April.
Ms McDonough said, “We welcome this unique opportunity to present the exceptional talent which exists within Northern Ireland’s art sector in the heart of Parliament. Despite the continuing disparity of financial support for arts here compared with other parts of the UK, Northern Ireland still continues to produce incredible artistic talent, such as Ryan, that exists on a par with our neighbours on these islands and we are proud to celebrate that.”
Ryan, aged 21, from Antrim and a student at the University of Ulster, Magee, will perform in a solo dance piece based on the exploration of space set to ‘The Island Beyond the World’, composed by Dr. Phillip Hammond. Ryan commented, “It is a real achievement to have been selected by the Arts Council to perform in Westminster. Dance is an important arts activity which should be made accessible to all. I hope that following the event MPs will recognize dance for its value in society.”
Foyle MP Mark Durkan MLA said, “It is an achievement not only for Ryan personally but for The Centre for Creative and Performing Arts at Magee that he will be performing at Westminster. It will be the one guarantee of a sure-footed performance in Parliament next week.
“Investment in the arts needs to be increased to put Northern Ireland on a more even footing with the rest of the UK and Republic of Ireland, safeguard essential organisations and programmes and allow Northern Ireland to be more competitive in cultural tourism and the creative industries.”
Ryan is currently studying as part of the new Dance degree course at the Foyle Creative Arts Centre, University of Ulster, Magee. This course is supported by the Arts Council and enables students to gain practical and theoretical experience in the creation, design, choreography, production and performance of dance.
