Funding boost gives NI arts venues lifeline

The Department for Communities has awarded almost £620,000 to The Lyric Theatre, The MAC, Crescent Arts Centre and Ulster Orchestra to help them prepare and plan for reopening, following closures as a result of Covid-19.

The funding, which will be administered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, is part of a range of measures supported by COVID emergency funding to support the arts, culture, heritage and language sectors.

The exact breakdown of figures shows that Ulster Orchestra will receive £261,850, The Lyric will receive £174,804, The MAC gets £157,520 and Crescent Arts Centre will benefit from £25,590.

Arts Council Chief Executive Roisin McDonough said: “These four organisations are major employers in the arts sector and, in the case of the MAC and the Crescent, a home for other arts companies too.

“They are at the very heart of creative and cultural life in Northern Ireland and a hub for people to come together to enjoy the many benefits that the arts bring to our lives.

“In addition to their core staff, they contract hundreds of freelancers throughout the year, providing employment for artists, actors, performers, technical staff and back stage crew. This funding will alleviate some of the burden they are currently facing, helping them to effectively plan ahead for welcoming back audiences, performances and events as soon as it is safe and possible.”

The MAC’s chief executive Anne McReynolds added: “The doors of venues across the region closed over 6 months ago; our stages and galleries have been silent and empty since then.

“The MAC, like others, has felt the overwhelming impact of this public health crisis and we now look forward to working with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and our colleagues across the whole sector, to get back on our feet.”