Ministers view a picture perfect partnership

Arts and enterprise came together at Stormont today to promote the benefits of partnerships between arts and business organisations.

Arts Minister Nelson McCausland and Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster met with business leaders and leading figures from the local arts sector, to learn of their experiences of arts and business organisations forming partnerships and the benefits gained.

Speaking during the event Minister McCausland said: “This event has been an excellent opportunity for some of our top businesses to hear about the benefits of partnering with an arts organisation. Skills transfer between the organisations can bring invaluable expertise that can only help in these tough economic times.”

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, provides funding for Arts & Business NI, whose aim is to promote these mutually beneficial partnerships, in order to increase private sector investment into the arts.

Minister McCausland added: “Partnership between our business and cultural sectors is key to growing a vibrant and dynamic economy for Northern Ireland. I would encourage any business, large or small, that is not already partnering with an arts organisation to consider engaging with Arts & Business NI who run various programmes to facilitate the process.”

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: “By sharing knowledge, experience and skills, partnerships have been proven to deliver significant advantages to industry. By encouraging similar collaborative practices across both business and arts, benefits to both sectors can be maximised."

Notes to editors:

1. Arts & Business NI sparks new partnerships between commerce and culture. They connect companies and individuals to cultural organisations and provide the expertise and insight for them to prosper together.
2. Arts & Business receives funding of £455,000 from DCAL through the Arts Council.
3. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Communications Office. Tel (028) 9051 5047 or email DCAL Communications Office . Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.