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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.
“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."
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