The Arts Matter … don’t they?

The arts in Northern Ireland are under an unprecedented threat.

Funding for the arts in Northern Ireland is being cut to such a degree that arts organisations will soon have no alternative but to close down for good. The sector will be losing jobs, skills, experience, knowledge and procedures that have taken decades to build.

Here are a few reasons why we think … the Arts Matter

QUALITY OF LIFE
The arts are fundamental to our quality of life, they make important contributions to improving the learning, health, wellbeing and confidence of our communities.

REGENERATION
The arts are a powerful force for renewal, regeneration, economic development and sustainability.

OUR PAST
The arts help us address the unique set of demographic and post-conflict challenges that prevail in Northern Ireland.

DEVELOPMENT
The arts are crucial in the development of a skilled, imaginative and creative population (and workforce).

IDENTITY
The arts and artistic expression is an individual right and supports a better understanding of our own, and others’, identities.

CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT
The arts are crucial for children and young people’s development and education.

OUR ENVIRONMENT
The arts encourage understanding, value and enjoyment of our environment.

INTERNATIONAL PROFILE
The arts raise the profile of Northern Ireland at home and abroad, connecting Northern Ireland to the world.

#TheArtsMatterNI is a campaign to save the arts in Northern Ireland.