Minister Ritchie announces funding for visual art project in Ballymena

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today announced a £1,600 funding package for a visual art project in the Ballee area of Ballymena.

The Visual Art project proposes to provide children aged 3-11 years with the opportunity to engage in art workshops over the summer period with a view to the creation of a visual art piece.

The Minister said: “I am pleased to be supporting this project for young people in the Ballee area of Ballymena. I want to target resources in a way which has maximum impact and work with communities to achieve that. This funding will provide valuable confidence and community building opportunities over the summer period and encourage social interaction among our young people.

“Our communities and local people are the lifeblood of our towns and cities. By providing projects like this one we are encouraging local communities to thrive and be proud of where they live.”

The project will help provide young people with access to a quality art and cultural experience, help improve self-esteem and self-confidence, promoting community involvement and create a sense of community pride in the area.

The final piece will be displayed on the exterior of the Ballee Childcare Facility and on view for many years to come.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy “People and Places” which was published in June 2003 sets out governments proposals for closing the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.

The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:

• Community Renewal – to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in the areas;
• Economic Renewal – to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy;
• Physical Renewal – to help create attractive, safe, and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods; and
• Social Renewal – to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.

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