The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Derry City Council have come together to pledge £900,000 to continue the cultural transformation of Derry.
Rebekah Lawther (10) and Tyreece Smith (9) from Lisnagelvin Primary School find Derry City Council’s City of Culture Legacy plan hits the right. Photo: Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.co
A £900,000 Legacy Fund and an range of programmes for music, fashion, storytelling and visual arts have been announced to continue city’s cultural transformation.
Derry City Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland have put together a programme designed to build upon the success of Derry’s City of Culture year.
Arts Council funding of £450,000 has been matched by Derry City Council who aim to continue to showcase the city’s cultural expertise with a series of concerts and events planned for next year with further legacy announcements expected during 2014.
The Legacy Fund, announced in Derry’s Guildhall this morning, has been established to ensure continued investment in the arts and cultural sector in the city and to build on the achievements of the year as City of Culture and as well as help achieve the long-term targets of Derry’s Regeneration Plan: the One Plan (“One City One Plan One Voice”).
The Fund will open next month for applications.
A public launch event will take place on 17 January next to say “thank you” to everyone who participated in the City of Culture celebrations.
The event will include includes a “Global Rainbow” across the city created by international artist Yvette Mattern as well as live musical performances from Little Bear and the Clameens on the Guildhall stage.
A further guest appearance will be announced in the New Year.
Music concerts have been confirmed for the Beach Boys and will feature as part of the Foyle International Maritime Festival to take place from 20-29 June and it is expected a series of additional music announcements will be made next month.
The traditional music scene will be supported with investment in a fusion performance between An Culturlann and Solus Productions with further opportunities for musicians to be involved in new commissions through an “open call” for expressions of interest in 2014.
First Break pairing website will build partnerships early in the New Year with an opportunity to register both venues and musicians for that perfect gig. The website will be live from early 2014.
In addition to the announced funding, the Arts Council is committed to the ongoing arts-led regeneration of Derry which will benefit from the Northern Ireland wide Creative Apprenticeships Programme that will support 100 apprenticeships over a three-year period across the arts and cultural sector.
The upsurge of interest in the visual arts has been one of the major contributors to the success of City of Culture and this has led to a demand to maintain and extend the level of visual arts provision in the city.
To ensure the continued success the Arts Council is, with Derry City Council, developing a visual arts strategy for the city.
Derry City Council and partners will also commence specialist studies early next month to enable visual arts and storytelling initiatives to grow the creative industries sector.
The Council will also work with local designers, international designer Wayne Hemingway and partners within the City of London on new fashion events for November.
Alongside the Legacy Fund programme, The Art Council will deliver other legacy projects that will impact directly on Derry; most notably the development of a visual arts strategy for for the city and a brand new initiative for Northern Ireland through the “Creative Apprenticeships” initiative.
Creative Apprenticeships will directly address skills gaps by encouraging arts and cultural sector employers to offer paid opportunities to young, unemployed people, and support the next generation of self-employed arts and cultural professionals.
Studies to support the feasibility of the creative sector will commence for storytelling, and visual arts. The proposed National Centre for Storytelling will include an exhibition space, performance area and education and skills resources for all ages.
The Fashion and Textile hub will build connections and opportunities for emerging and new designers plus create capacity for an annual Autumn fashion event.
City Mayor Cllr Martin Reilly, welcoming the commitments, said: Derry City Council’s legacy promises were about providing cultural sustainability and encouraging communities and visitors to continue their connections with culture and the city.
He added: “We are a proud and ambitious city with many talented and creative people.
“The city has made amazing progress during 2013 in how we look and feel and we want to continue with this transformation.
“Today’s announcements will build upon this strong foundation to capture the opportunity for cultural, economic and community growth.
“During Music City 2014, Derry City Council will be hosting music concerts with local and international artists. I am also delighted to announce a dedicated website, First Break, to match musicians with venues across the region. This goes live in the New Year and will make it easier for us to support and showcase new talent to visitors and Derry locals.”
Bob Collins, chairperson of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to make today’s funding announcement. The Arts Council’s long-term investment in Derry has contributed significantly to the success of UK City of Culture 2013.
“The arts have transformed this city and we are now making a substantial commitment to continue our partnership with Derry City Council to ensure Arts and Culture continue to help regenerate the city, particularly in the most deprived communities.”
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