Funding for rural arts in Northern Ireland

Arts organisations in rural communities across Northern Ireland are set to benefit from £350,000 of funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s National Lottery Rural Engagement Arts Programme.

The fourth round of the programme will see the funding split between 51 organisations.

Among the beneficiaries are Sliabh Beagh Arts in Fermanagh and Omagh which will receive £8,950 to deliver a series of workshops in a variety of artforms within schools and community venues.

Another is Newry Chamber Music in Newry, Mourne & Down, which will get £8,130 to bring classical music to rural communities to combat isolation, loneliness.

Gilly Campbell, director of arts development at Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “We know that taking part in arts activities brings people and communities closer together, raises self-esteem, boosts confidence and motivation, as well as alleviates isolation and loneliness.

“The Arts Council believes that arts, and coming together as communities, can all make a vital contribution to building wellbeing, confidence, and healthy, integrated communities.”