Poots announces £2million arts funding for North West

Arts and Culture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced awards totalling over £2 million for local organisations and projects from the North West Cultural Challenge Fund.

Speaking to an invited audience in the Waterside Theatre, Londonderry the Minister said: “If we are to maximise the benefit from the growth in Cultural Tourism we need theatres, galleries and performance venues like those represented here today, to support, develop and showcase our creative talent and creative industries.

“Over £2 million from the North West Challenge Fund is being directed towards six arts and cultural capital projects that can have a positive impact in terms of social, economic and physical regeneration.

“These awards from the Challenge Fund are a very positive milestone for all the successful projects in Londonderry. The work of these organisations has a profound effect on the quality of life of all our citizens. They help to make Londonderry a better place to live, work and socialise and play an important part in the economic sustainability of this region.”

Edwin Poots thanked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and Ilex, co-ordinating body for the NWCF, for their vision which places arts and culture at the centre of the city’s regeneration plans. The Minister also highlighted the partnership role played by all who helped take forward the work of the North West Challenge Fund. “The support and assistance of partners such as Derry City Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Ilex and the Department for Social Development in setting criteria, scoring applications and processing awards has been invaluable,” he said.

Bill Kirk, Chief Executive of Ilex said: "Arts and Culture-led regeneration has a significant role to play in maximising the tourism potential of the city as well as bringing essential economic infrastructure. These projects are part of a growing number of Arts & Culture initiatives being advanced within the Ilex regeneration framework.

“The Ilex Regeneration Plan presents a vision of a confident city, a major tourism city of international standing, a dignified and historic city, and a city of culture - engaged with the arts and creative activity at every level. North West Challenge funding will go a considerable way to making that vision a reality".

Welcoming the announcement Councillor Helen Quigley, Mayor of Derry City Council said: “Cultural organisations across the city who benefited from the funding are central to regeneration. The city presents a wealth of cultural opportunity and I commend the successful partnership working that has worked effectively to deliver this funding and improve the quality of life in the city."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

On 13 December 2005, a £4 million Challenge Fund for the arts and cultural sector in the North West was announced by the Secretary of State, Peter Hain, as part of the Ilex Regeneration Plan for the Derry City Council area. The Fund consists of £3 million Integrated Development Fund (IDF) money, provided by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, and £1 million arts capital from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Ministerial approval was received to distribute the fund in two strands: a £3.2m challenge fund for capital projects capable of making a significant contribution to regeneration and arts provision in the area and £0.8m for a piece of iconic artwork in the civic realm to mark the regeneration of the city.

A Steering Group, comprising representatives from DCAL, DSD, Arts Council, Ilex and Derry City Council, was established to oversee distribution of the fund.

To date six projects have been approved with funding allocations as follows:

• Waterside Theatre - £777,000
• The Playhouse Theatre - £416,000
• An Gaeláras - £363,000
• The Gasyard - £312,000
• The Void Gallery - £137,000
• The Verbal Arts Centre - £45,000

Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office. Tel: (028) 9025 8901; mobile 07717 732626 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk