PRESS RELEASE

19 June 2009

PN: CAL 06/08/09

LESSONS ON ARTS FUNDING CAN BE LEARNT FROM CITY OF CULTURE

Northern Ireland can learn lessons from Liverpool, the 2008 City of Culture, on the impact arts funding can have on the whole community. That’s the message from the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure after its two day fact-finding visit to the city.

The Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into funding for the arts in Northern Ireland. During the visit, Members met with local politicians, university researchers, and representatives from the arts sector, as well as visiting key cultural venues in the city.

Committee member Mr Raymond McCartney MLA, said: “The Committee held some very useful discussions with the Lord Mayor and the Leader of Liverpool Council. We discussed the impact on a region of having a strong cultural policy and proper funding for the arts, both in terms of the economy and community regeneration.

“We were particularly impressed with the way Liverpool focused on participation. This meant that the people of the city felt they were part of the cultural expression and had a sense of ownership of the arts in their region. That strategy contributed to closing the gap between the professional arts organisations and community based arts, something which our Committee is looking at as part of its inquiry.”

Mr Ken Robinson MLA, Committee member, said: “We were struck with the enthusiasm and the commitment of the people we met in Liverpool. All of the stakeholders seem to have come together – the politicians, the commercial sector and the grass roots arts organisations – to create a vibrant approach to culture and the arts.

“We saw first hand how investment in the arts can bring positive change to a city and the wider region, and really bring the arts to people in the community. There is also a strong commitment to creating a legacy and a long-term commitment to the arts which is something which our Committee’s inquiry is addressing.”

ENDS

Note to Editor

The Chairperson of the Committee is Barry McElduff MLA.
The Deputy Chairperson is David McNarry MLA.

The Committee has a further nine members:
Mr Dominic Bradley MLA
Mr Francie Brolly MLA
The Lord Browne MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA

The Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure is a Statutory Departmental Committee which has a scrutiny, policy development and consultation role with respect to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and has a role in the initiation of legislation.

The Committee has the power to:

• consider and advise on Departmental budgets and annual plans in the context of the overall budget allocation;
• approve relevant secondary legislation and take the Committee Stage of primary legislation;
• call for persons and papers;
• initiate inquiries and make reports; and
• consider and advise on matters brought to the Committee by the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

The Committee’s is currently considering the following key issues as part of its forward work programme:

• An inquiry into the funding of the arts in Northern Ireland
• Safety at sports grounds
• The Northern Ireland Events Company and other arms length bodies
• Draft Language Strategy

The Clerk to the Committee is–Kathryn Bell
Committee Office
Northern Ireland Assembly
Room 424 Parliament Buildings
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3XX
Telephone: 028 90 521841
Fax: 028 90 521355
E Mail: committee.cal@niassembly.gov.uk

Media enquiries to Debra Savage, Northern Ireland Assembly, Communications Office
Telephone: 028 90 521405
Mobile: 07920 864221
Email: info.office@niassembly.gov.uk