Poets and actors ‘should benefit from rescue package for the arts’

By Michael McHugh, PA

Poets and actors should benefit from a coronavirus rescue package for the arts in Northern Ireland, the communities minister said.

Comedians and freelancers whose work has been devastated by the pandemic must also receive their share of £29 million agreed by the Stormont Executive, Caral Ni Chuilin added.

The cash should not be confined to those who shouted the loudest, Sinn Fein’s north Belfast assembly member said.

“It is about opening up a whole process and I would hope that there will be large medium to small as well as different opportunities for individuals like poets, freelancers, actors and comedians.

“It is really, really important that that money and opportunity, people need to be able to feel that if they apply for it that they are going to get some support.

“If you just spend it on people shouting the loudest it would not be spent on you or my constituencies.”

Northern Ireland received the money in June as part of a UK Government package for theatres, arts and music venues and museums.

Co Antrim-born actor Liam Neeson had described the cash as a “lifeline” for theatres and venues in an appeal for the Executive to step in quickly.

Ms Ni Chuilin applauded Neeson’s involvement but said they needed to ensure those with less ability to express their views also benefited.

She told her Stormont scrutiny committee there needed to be an Executive strategy for arts and culture otherwise funding would continue to come in a piecemeal fashion, “bits and pieces of money”.

“The Arts Council budget is reducing, the demand gets greater, the arts is reinventing itself but it is not supported and that in itself is going to take money and take people to be open and honest and to take courage in our arts.”