Menu
15/09/2021
New £5m Creative Sector Recovery Fund Announced
A new £5 million fund has been announced to help prevent the loss of the talent and expertise of individuals and freelancers working in the creative sector.
The Creative Individuals Recovery Programme, which opens at noon today (15 September), will provide a grant of up to £2,000 per individual eligible application including DJs, artists, performers, sound and lighting technicians, writers, events managers and many other professionals who have been impacted as a result of the public health restrictions on the creative sector.
There is evidence that the creative sectors rely heavily on self-employed and freelance individuals and that many have already left the sectors because of the pandemic, with those remaining facing jobs vulnerability and unaffordable costs relating to re-establishing their creative practice.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, said: "I have listened to the recommendations of the Culture, Arts and Heritage Recovery Taskforce, and I have also engaged with the sector. As a result I am today launching a support scheme to provide grants to individuals to encourage them to remain in the creative arts sector.
"The culture, languages, arts and heritage sectors have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 restrictions as they rely heavily on people's ability to get together which is why the Executive has provided £13million in 2021/2022 to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.
"There is a risk that self-employed and freelance individuals may be forced to leave the creative sectors as a result of the pandemic. As the sectors rely heavily on individuals, this could destabilise the sector and the benefits it delivers including social, economic and wellbeing. This new £5m funding scheme aims to prevent loss of sectoral skills for self-employed and freelance individuals and safeguard the sector for the future.
"This fund will help with costs of reactivating, maintaining and enhancing their creative trade, vocation or profession. It is designed to prevent individuals, and their talent and expertise, from leaving the creative economy; and help them re-establish their contribution to the important benefits these sectors deliver."
Welcoming the funding, chair of the Culture, Arts and Heritage Recovery Taskforce Rotha Johnston said: "Freelancers and the self-employed are critical to the recovery and sustainability of the creative and cultural sectors as a result of the impacts of Covid-19. Many have been deprived the opportunity to use their skills, perform or practice their art in the last 18 months. The Taskforce is of the unanimous view that support for individuals is essential to protect the viability of the sectors going forward. The Taskforce's findings and recommendations have been developed following extensive engagement with people from across the sectors and our conclusion is that this public investment in culture, arts and heritage will deliver significant benefits to individuals, society and the economy in the short, medium and long term".
The fund, co-designed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) with the Department for Communities, will be delivered by the Arts Council. For information on how to apply including eligibility criteria please visit artscouncil-ni.org/funding/for-individuals.
The scheme is open until 12 noon, 6 October, 2021.
The Creative Individuals Recovery Programme, which opens at noon today (15 September), will provide a grant of up to £2,000 per individual eligible application including DJs, artists, performers, sound and lighting technicians, writers, events managers and many other professionals who have been impacted as a result of the public health restrictions on the creative sector.
There is evidence that the creative sectors rely heavily on self-employed and freelance individuals and that many have already left the sectors because of the pandemic, with those remaining facing jobs vulnerability and unaffordable costs relating to re-establishing their creative practice.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, said: "I have listened to the recommendations of the Culture, Arts and Heritage Recovery Taskforce, and I have also engaged with the sector. As a result I am today launching a support scheme to provide grants to individuals to encourage them to remain in the creative arts sector.
"The culture, languages, arts and heritage sectors have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 restrictions as they rely heavily on people's ability to get together which is why the Executive has provided £13million in 2021/2022 to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.
"There is a risk that self-employed and freelance individuals may be forced to leave the creative sectors as a result of the pandemic. As the sectors rely heavily on individuals, this could destabilise the sector and the benefits it delivers including social, economic and wellbeing. This new £5m funding scheme aims to prevent loss of sectoral skills for self-employed and freelance individuals and safeguard the sector for the future.
"This fund will help with costs of reactivating, maintaining and enhancing their creative trade, vocation or profession. It is designed to prevent individuals, and their talent and expertise, from leaving the creative economy; and help them re-establish their contribution to the important benefits these sectors deliver."
Welcoming the funding, chair of the Culture, Arts and Heritage Recovery Taskforce Rotha Johnston said: "Freelancers and the self-employed are critical to the recovery and sustainability of the creative and cultural sectors as a result of the impacts of Covid-19. Many have been deprived the opportunity to use their skills, perform or practice their art in the last 18 months. The Taskforce is of the unanimous view that support for individuals is essential to protect the viability of the sectors going forward. The Taskforce's findings and recommendations have been developed following extensive engagement with people from across the sectors and our conclusion is that this public investment in culture, arts and heritage will deliver significant benefits to individuals, society and the economy in the short, medium and long term".
The fund, co-designed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) with the Department for Communities, will be delivered by the Arts Council. For information on how to apply including eligibility criteria please visit artscouncil-ni.org/funding/for-individuals.
The scheme is open until 12 noon, 6 October, 2021.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 December 2021
£2.7m Creative Individuals Recovery Fund Announced
Funding of £2.7 million has been announced to support creative people impacted by the pandemic by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.
£2.7m Creative Individuals Recovery Fund Announced
Funding of £2.7 million has been announced to support creative people impacted by the pandemic by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.
20 February 2008
£5m Funding For NI Creative Sector
A new £5 million fund for creative industries is set to develop business enterprise in Northern Ireland and to encourage its most talented people to 'shine on an international stage', Arts and Culture Minister Edwin Poots announced today. The DUP MLA was speaking at the first Craft Northern Ireland Regional Conference in Lisburn.
£5m Funding For NI Creative Sector
A new £5 million fund for creative industries is set to develop business enterprise in Northern Ireland and to encourage its most talented people to 'shine on an international stage', Arts and Culture Minister Edwin Poots announced today. The DUP MLA was speaking at the first Craft Northern Ireland Regional Conference in Lisburn.
19 July 2011
NI Focuses On Film, TV And Animation
A Stormont Minister is encouraging local firms to 'get creative' as new innovation fund is launched. The first round of awards will focus on digital content projects and will include businesses involved in animation, web and mobile content, e-learning, film, television and music.
NI Focuses On Film, TV And Animation
A Stormont Minister is encouraging local firms to 'get creative' as new innovation fund is launched. The first round of awards will focus on digital content projects and will include businesses involved in animation, web and mobile content, e-learning, film, television and music.
24 November 2021
Culture, Arts & Heritage Recovery Taskforce Report Published
The report of the Culture, Arts & Heritage Recovery Taskforce has been published by Communities Minister Deidre Hargey. The Taskforce, established by the Minister in May 2021, has made nine recommendations to support reopening and recovery in the short-term and proposals for the focus of a longer term strategy for culture, the arts and heritage.
Culture, Arts & Heritage Recovery Taskforce Report Published
The report of the Culture, Arts & Heritage Recovery Taskforce has been published by Communities Minister Deidre Hargey. The Taskforce, established by the Minister in May 2021, has made nine recommendations to support reopening and recovery in the short-term and proposals for the focus of a longer term strategy for culture, the arts and heritage.
27 June 2013
NIPSA Slam Chancellor's Budget Cuts
Public sector trade union, NIPSA, has criticised Chancellor George Osborne following Wednesday afternoon's Spending Review. Yesterday, Mr Osborne revealed Northern Ireland's budget for the year 2015/16 is to be cut by 2% to £9.6bn.
NIPSA Slam Chancellor's Budget Cuts
Public sector trade union, NIPSA, has criticised Chancellor George Osborne following Wednesday afternoon's Spending Review. Yesterday, Mr Osborne revealed Northern Ireland's budget for the year 2015/16 is to be cut by 2% to £9.6bn.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
