Local consultation on ‘Ambitions for the Arts’

The Braid will be the venue on Wednesday, March 27, from 11am-1pm for an open meeting organised by the Arts Council which is holding a series of public consultation meetings across Northern Ireland this March and April on the strategy. The Arts Council’s Ambitions for the Arts’ 5 Year Strategy 2013-2018 continues to pursue its mission to place the Arts at the heart of our social economic and creative life through three key strategic themes including championing the arts, promoting access to the arts and creating a resilient sector.

The new strategy builds upon the significant achievements of the last 5 years, creating long-standing benefits for communities across Northern Ireland and unlocking the full potential of culture and the arts.

In recent times, a number of flagship projects have come to fruition, providing outstanding theatres and purpose-designed arts spaces such as The Lyric Theatre and The MAC in Belfast. At the same time, there has been unparalleled growth and commercial success in the creative industries

Nick Livingston Director of Strategic Development at the Arts Council said: “Never has there been a time for the arts to demonstrate how they speak to us in a myriad of ways. Their role in education and learning; their value to the economy; their importance to the health and vitality of communities; how the arts are changing the image of Northern Ireland at home and abroad are helping us to celebrate our diversity and the role of the arts in drawing us together as a society.”

The recent investment by the Arts Council into the building of The Braid reflects the Arts Council’s strategic aim to ensure that everyone has access to a dedicated arts facility as a result of Arts Council investment with 99% of households situated within a 20 mile radius of an arts venue. The Braid now runs an extensive year-round programme of theatre, music, comedy, dance and children’s shows.