North West meeting has a Santa List

The Voluntary and Community Arts Policy Forum met on 13 December in the Verbal Arts Centre and discussed, among other things, what they would like for Christmas this year. The resulting letter to Santa is below!

Dear Santa,

We have been very good girls and boys this year, so this is what we would like for Christmas!

Decentralisation and regional recognition- in practice eg

• The NI gallery to be situated in the North West
• Parity of funding for arts in comparison to Eastern areas
• Offices and more activity in the North West

Sustainable local provision in North West eg

• A cultural strategy for the North West, which is well marketed and implemented by joined-up actions
• A foot bridge over the River Foyle

Proper NI wide investment in arts eg

• An effective and resourced 5 year strategy from the Arts Council
• Five year funding programmes and longer-term sustainability for arts organisations
• A review of audience development support
• A free ticket for everyone to access one arts event, or a free arts day when all performances, events, exhibitions etc are free to all comers

Thank you Santa,

lots of love,

North Westmeeting of the Voluntary and Community Arts Policy Forum