by DeadBeatCreative. It’s 4am on Wednesday 4th November. Tuesday was a long day, varied, though pretty exhausting in the end. The morning saw an attempt to resolve some client work ahead of a meeting for their creative branding. That was indeed a failed attempt as for whatever reason, I simply couldn’t apply my skills. The daily struggle. From there, I went to a meeting with my studio mate, Emic, hopeful that the result would mean some slight recognition, perhaps, and give our privately ran space, LOFT, a boost moving forward, not that we’d ever count on it.… continue reading
by Adrian Rutherford. Belfast Telegraph. Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has faced fresh accusations of diverting money to "pet projects" over a £900,000 grant to an Irish language initiative. The award to the Liofa campaign was cited during a heated Stormont committee meeting which looked at funding cuts to the arts. DUP MLA William Humphrey questioned why money had been allocated at a time when other groups were facing severe cuts. The Arts Council has seen its funding reduced by £870,000 because of a £10m shortfall facing the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. Ms Ní Chuilín has faced… continue reading
By Joanne Sweeney. Belfast Telegraph. Fionnuala Kennedy from MACHA Productions slammed Caral Ni Chuilin and retaliated with the same charge, accusing the Sinn Fein minister of turning her back on communities. In an open letter, which she published on social media yesterday, she angrily reacted to what she claims as the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) minister's bias against certain sections of the arts. Ms Kennedy also took a swipe at Sinn Fein, the minister's party. The arts community has felt particularly besieged and affected by the severe budget cuts which have affected the Arts Council for Northern… continue reading
Belfast Telegraph. Culture Arts and Leisure Minister Caral Ni Chuilin has appeared before the Culture Committee. The Sinn Fein minister was questioned about cuts to her budget and on allegations surrounding the funding of the Feile an Phobail festival and other events. The minister was quizzed about how her department distributed a cultural fund which was set up two years ago. Unionists have demanded answers after it emerged the bulk of the money was spent on projects in north and west Belfast. It was suggested that the minister favoured projects on the nationalist side of the community, however, she dismissed… continue reading
On Thursday 05 November 2015 the Committee received a briefing from Arts Council of Northern Ireland on the further in-year budget cuts to arts organisations. Also at this meeting the DCAL Minister and officials briefed the Committee on these budgets cuts and festivals funding.… continue reading
by Ryan Smith. Belfast Live. Supporters of the arts were protesting against what they say are disproportionate cuts in the arts budget and a continued lack of investment in the sector. A protest opposing cuts to the arts sector in Northern Ireland has taken place at Stormont. Supporters of the arts today protested against what they say are disproportionate cuts in the arts budget and a continued lack of investment in the sector. Around 200 attended the protest. Cuts to the arts budget were announced earlier this year. Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín, has said… continue reading
by Claire Simpson. The Irish News. HUNDREDS of protesters opposed to cuts to the arts held a rally at Stormont yesterday. Artists, writers and musicians were among those who gathered outside Parliament Buildings. The latest budget cuts slashed arts funding for this financial year by 20 per cent - a move which protestors said put jobs at risk. Arts minister Carál Ní Chuilín, who was answering questions from assembly members yesterday, later agreed to meet the demonstrators. She told the assembly that more budget reductions are expected. "The British government have cut our block grant and have signalled that… continue reading
Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Caral ni Chuilin, discussed funding cuts made to the Arts Council during today’s Question Time. The Minister described the cuts to the block grant from the British Government and the resultant financial strain on the Department. Fearghal McKinney MLA highlighted the protest against the cuts which took place outside Parliament Buildings today and expressed concern about the loss of jobs and impact on communities that the cuts will have. He asked if funding would be restored but Ms Ni Chuilin affirmed that, while it was good to see such support for the arts, “in… continue reading