Arts

There are approximately 838 paid employees in the arts sector in NI, with a further 3,584 volunteers. This short report gives more facts and figures.

Street Audience OVERVIEW

In Northern Ireland, 355 organisations are involved in the arts, culture and heritage sector. Total income for 2003/04 is estimated to be £16.78 million.

This sector is dominated by very small to medium sized organisations. There are no large £1 million plus organisations, instead it is characterised by very small, volunteer led organisations.

ANALYSIS

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LINKS

There are approximately 838 paid employees, with a further 3,584 volunteers directly involved on a formal basis (management committees, etc).

ROLE

The arts, culture and heritage sector works to develop and improve the knowledge, appreciation and practice of arts, culture and heritage and to increase public access and participation. These organisations provide information, advice and training in community arts, culture and heritage. Their activities cut across all areas of life, encompassing young and old, marginalised and wealthy, and all religions, and can impact on health, education and employment.

Organisations believe that engagement with art, craft and creative activities can assist in breaking down the barriers that exist in Northern Ireland.

FUNDING

Government (in particular non departmental agencies) is the biggest contributor to this sector. A total of £5.87 million (35.0%) is spent on the arts, culture and heritage sector, the primary funder being the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (non lottery). Central government departments contribute much less, in 2003/04 the expenditure was around £220,000.

The type of funding (earned versus voluntary income) is also very significant. Almost £9 out of every £10 that the arts, culture and heritage sector receives is in the form of grants and donations which is in contrast to the sector as a whole where grants and donations make up 63.8% of all income received.

Charitable trusts are also significant funders of the arts, culture and heritage sector, accounting for 28.1% of total income. This contrasts with the voluntary and community sector as a whole where this source of income accounts for around 10% of total funding.

A quarter of all organisations that receive income from donations from the public rely on it for 50% or more of their total income.

A relatively large number of organisations are dependent on Lottery grants with one in five organisations relying on this funding for 50% or more of their total income.

PEOPLE

The arts, culture and heritage sector employs 838 individuals.

Just over half of these employees are part time (36% of all paid employees in the voluntary and community sector are part time).

There are 3,584 volunteers involved in the arts, culture and heritage sector.

Using the volunteering figures from the European Social Survey, an estimated 35,000 individuals in Northern Ireland have volunteered their time in an arts or cultural organisation over the last twelve months.

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