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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council approved a motion this week to lobby Department for Communities minister Gordon Lyons to reverse his permanent secretary’s decision of a 5% cut to the Arts Council NI.
The council area is home to Hollywood stars John and Susan Lynch and chart topping music bands such as ‘The Four of Us’ as well as the adopted home of Oscar winning ‘An Irish Goodbye’ actor Seamus O’Hara, who is set to join the cast of NI police drama ‘Blue Lights’.
Newry City Councillor, Doire Finn brought forward the motion, saying: “Across the North the arts sector supports 33k people employed in the creative industry and contributes massively to our economic growth and output and our night-time economy within out cities and towns.
“Northern Ireland has numerous Oscar winners, our theatre performances gain acclaim across the world and our television programmes rise to global fame.
“However, the funding we dedicate to support our artists doesn’t represent their talent and dedication.
“According to latest figures the Arts Council NI now receives the equivalent of £5.07 per head of population, our nearest comparator the Arts Council of Wales, receives £10.51 and the Arts Council of Ireland receives £25.90.
“Northern Ireland arts receives less investment per capita than anywhere else in England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
“Many artists are now considering alternative career paths and that is not through choice.
“The sad reality is if we lose our artists to other careers, due to a lack of funding, much of our day to day life will be poorer.”
Cllr Finn added: “As a council taking a stand against these cuts, not only protects our artists, who deserve to be working in a sector that is properly and adequately funded, it helps to ensure that locally our groups will avail of that vital funding and will have the capacity to do valuable and much needed work.
“Our artists in this district and across the North need our support and we should show solidarity with them and encourage the minister to reverse these cuts and invest in the arts in the upcoming budget.”
The council area has witnessed large attendances at its recently concluded Newry arts festival (April 1-7) and will also see an economic boost with the upcoming Blues in the Bay festival this May in Warrenpoint.
Meanwhile, in chambers a number of elected reps alluded to their own links to the arts with Cllr Finn suggesting a collective theatre performance of councillors.
This led to NMDDC deputy chairperson, Gareth Sharvin saying: “I imagine a Robin Hood performance would be appropriate.”
Slieve Gullion Councillor David Taylor added: “The arts sector has already seen a significant drop in real terms of financial support, particularly over the last decade of some 30 percent.
“That is a sad situation, because it should actually be receiving more investment because of the contribution it offers to our local communities financially and the wider benefits in the quality of life of people.
“I certainly take a keen interest in the arts myself and in the Newry, south Armagh area there is a strong ethos and support for that sector.
“It is disappointing that a sector that is seen as an easy target in many ways for reduction in finance
“I certainly hope it will be given consideration and that the minister can look at this in a positive way.”
