Questions on … arts
Posted by Anne Moore on Feb 13 2007 under Arts, Questions on... |
Brenda Kent, Voluntary Arts Ireland asks
10 per cent of voters volunteer to run drama groups, Irish and Scottish dance, painting groups, knitting and sewing groups, choirs etc which all have a vital social role. They were largely self-sufficient but insurance, vetting, disability access and other good practice requirements are costing more and more. RPA will remove some funding from the Arts Council (already underfunded and only providing support through the lottery) and will amalgamate councils – these have been the volunteers’ main source of small grants. Big councils with bigger arts budgets may mean that small voluntary arts groups receive no funding at all.
What will your party’s MLAs and local councillors do to ensure that it does not lay waste to the local volunteer-led cultural sector, but ensures cultural volunteers are supported?
Patricia Freedman, Old Museum Arts Council asks
What do you think the longterm effect is of the NI Arts Council having the lowest funding of the UK and Ireland by far? (it is £6.13 per head in NI – over £12 in ROI and £11.93 in Scotland)
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Community led arts, including the local volunteer sector is vital for disadvantaged communities. Small arts projects help to empower communities and develop the rich culture that exists. Community Arts can help with the future stability of marginalised communities and it is vitally important that small scale arts projects are funded. The PUP will lobby in the Councils and the Assembly for continued support for community/voluntary projects.