Funding for Belfast Festivals

£60,000 of funding has been made possible through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland`s `Art of Regeneration` programme, and will help to lay foundations for cultural activity in communities beyond this year`s `Celebrate Belfast` programme of events.

Councillor Bernie Kelly, Chairman of Belfast City Council`s Arts Sub-Committee, explains

“We`re seeking creative proposals which will help people think more positively about their environment, encouraging good relations and discouraging anti-social behaviour. We know that making Belfast a better place to live in, work in and visit is dependent on us tackling those very issues and cultural festivals provide a powerful means of achieving those aims”.

“Belfast`s festivals are already generating far reaching and long lasting cultural and economic benefits for the city. They are attracting vast numbers of local, national and international visitors to Belfast, which in turn are generating income and creating jobs.

"We want to see local communities here benefiting from that investment and so I would urge festival organisers and community based groups to get in contact with us and secure valuable grant assistance for their area”.

It is envisaged that most requests will be between £3,000 and £10,000, with the average award being approximately £5,000.

Guidance notes and application forms are available to download from September 4 at www.belfastcity.gov.uk. Organisations are also encouraged to contact the Culture and Arts Unit, Belfast City Council on 028 9027 0461 or e-mail cultureandartsadmin@belfastcity.gov.uk for advice and guidance on making an application.