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Annual Business Plan 2022–23 artscouncil-ni.org
Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Contents
Who we are 3
What we do 4
Our Vision 6
Strategic Context 8
Recovering from COVID-19 14
2022–23 Business Plan Actions 17
Organisational Objectives 28
Funding 30
Appendix 1: Headline Achievements 2021–22 32
Appendix 2: Resource Allocation 37
Appendix 3: Programme Overview 2021–22 38
Appendix 4: Performance Measurement 40
Cover image
Mayte Segura, Belfast-based contemporary and
Mexican folk dancer and choreographer, performing Arts Council Northern Ireland is committed to making information available in large
with musician Victor Henriquez at the publication launch
of ‘Bright Lights in a Dark Year: The Arts in Lockdown’.
print, braille, audio, Easy Read and will endeavour to provide information in languages
Photo: Brian Morrison other than English as well as British and Irish sign language on request.
1
Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Our mission is to Who we are
place the arts at We are the official funding and development
the heart of our organisation for the arts in Northern Ireland.
Our principal sponsor is the Department for
social, economic Communities. We also distribute funding
from the National Lottery.
and creative life. Working together with the Department for
Communities, we support and promote the
important contribution that the arts make to
Northern Ireland.
We want great art to inspire us, connect
communities and lead and empower the
sector to achieve its ambitions.
2 3
Annual Business Plan 2022–23
What we do
We support and develop high We raise the profile of the arts in We work collaboratively with
quality arts activity — we invest Northern Ireland — we’re the stakeholders and the public —
public funding, using these funds national voice for the arts in seeking and listening to feedback
to create opportunities for more Northern Ireland, promoting the through our formal consultations and
people, from all backgrounds and quality, value and importance of the open conversations, we ensure that
communities, to enjoy and take country’s artists/arts organisations our programmes of work deliver
part in the arts. and the impact they make. public benefit.
We distribute Lottery funds — We influence decision-makers — We foster innovation between the
through applications to our Lottery the arts take place in many different arts and the wider creative
funding programmes we’re able to settings. They can have a dramatic industries — by facilitating skills
fund projects that develop new impact on the quality of people’s development and knowledge transfer
arts activity, supporting individuals, lives, and the places in which they in digital technology for the arts
communities and organisations. live and work. The arts are also sector, encourage collaboration,
frequently at the heart of initiatives leverage additional funding and
Develop and improve the for economic and social expertise through key partners and
knowledge, appreciation and regeneration. Our job is to ensure encourage the creation of digital
practice of the Arts by producing that the contribution that the arts artwork to ensure the arts evolve
strategic research and intelligence can make is recognised. with audiences.
and working with partners in the
cultural sector to advise the We develop international
Department for Communities, opportunities in the arts — we have
Local Authorities and other bodies developed partnerships with cultural
on matters relating to the arts. We organisations such as the British
also have strong international links Council, and work collaboratively
in the UK and beyond. with all the UK nations to promote
Northern Ireland art internationally
Increase public access to and and we encourage international
participation in the Arts to create exchange and collaboration between
an innovative, creative and diverse artists and arts organisations.
society where people can fulfil
their potential and contribute fully
to society.
4 5
Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Our Vision
Our guiding principles Inspire
can be summarised in Great art inspires us, nurtures our
three themes. Our understanding of who we are and the
strategic framework1 world around us, and brings us together
provides an overview of
the strategic direction Connect
we are proposing from The arts are without boundaries. They
2019–24 connect communities, help build creative
places, define a new sense of identity,
and help us tell our stories, seek out and
engage wider audiences. We want to
reach out and reach further, bringing
people together.
Lead
We see our role as enabling and ‘Air of the Anthropocene’, Robin Price’s environmental photographic artwork.
empowering the sector to achieve its
ambitions and to speak out for the arts;
but we won’t be able to do that alone —
we will need to work together to deliver Five Year Strategic Framework —
on this promise.
Summary Objectives
Inspire Connect Lead
• Excellence • Transform relationship • Demonstrate role of arts
• Vibrant infrastructure with local government through research
• Invest in workforce • Improve access/participation • Make the case for better
development and skills for disabled people resources
• Invest in career pathways • Growth opportunities in • Articulate how the arts
• Renew art form policies creative industries improves lives
• More opportunities for • Increase audiences for arts • Future proof investment in
young people • Capitalise on increased sector by helping
• Inspire local communities tourism organisations diversify
• International connections income streams
• Cross artform boundaries • Establish a deliberative forum
• Knowledge exchange/ • Improve living and working
networks conditions of artists
• Engage stakeholders for
broader outcomes
• Emergency COVID response
1
ACNI-5-year-Strategic-Framework-for-Developing-the-Arts-2019-2024 (artscouncil-ni.org)
6 7
Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Strategic Context
NI Executive
This business plan reflects the fourth The strength of artistic achievement in The Arts Council engaged fully in the
year of the five-year strategic NI is recognised and forms part of a work of the Ministerial Culture, Arts
framework for the Arts in NI 2019–24 new cultural programme entitled and Heritage Recovery Taskforce in
entitled ‘Inspire, Connect, Lead’ UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK. This is a 2021 and stands ready to continue to
specifically developed as a framework UK-wide initiative to celebrate creativity support the implementation of its The Arts Council will
in light of prevailing uncertainties: the by combining science, technology, recommendations3. We thank Minister engage with key
2016–21 development of a engineering arts and mathematics Hargey for her leadership in securing
decision makers and
Programme for Government (PfG); the through the showcasing of 10 inspiring the extra resources needed for the
pressure to protect ‘frontline services’ collaborative projects across the UK. arts sector at that time. demonstrate the value
and manage within reduced public People can experience UNBOXED in our artists, creative
funding; the need to encourage person, TV, radio and online for free practitioners and arts
resilience within the sector and between March–October 2022. organisations have in
promote, where appropriate, the use
of shared services, all against the Despite challenging times, the cultural
relation to our economy,
backdrop of the impact of COVID-19. sector continues to thrive and innovate health and wellbeing,
We will be flexible and will respond to in NI. It is encouraging that Belfast has society and education.
emerging priorities. The NI Executive been awarded the City of Music status Maiden Voyage Dance, ‘MORF’. Belfast Children’s Festival.
is developing a new strategic, by UNESCO, recognising the
outcomes-based Programme for importance of music to all citizens and
Government (PfG), the draft emphasising the importance of placing
Implications of Withdrawal from the EU
outcomes of which were consulted creativity and cultural industries at the
COVID-19 and the UK’s departure from Our important East/West relationship
upon from January to March 2021. core of urban development plans. We
the European Union present a double with colleagues in Scotland, England
The Arts Council response2 look forward to working with Belfast
challenge to international working and and Wales has also been vital, as we
demonstrates the role of arts and City Council to support their proposed
will continue to impact on the work in collaboration to provide
culture in supporting the Executive to initiatives aligned to our own youth
movement of artists to and from international platforms and opportunities
meet its strategic objectives. music strategy.
Northern Ireland. We will continue to for our artists and arts organisations
consult with local artists and touring post Brexit as well as on initiatives to
The Arts Council will engage with key However, arts organisations continue to
organisations to understand the support people with disabilities.
decision makers and demonstrate the rely on public funding to help them
impact of new legislation and work
value our artists, creative practitioners navigate their way out of the COVID-19
with our colleagues across the island
and arts organisations have in relation pandemic, the impact of which still
of Ireland and the UK to create new
to our economy, health and wellbeing, threatens to undermine our fragile
international opportunities, including
society and education. ecosystem.
digital connection and exchange.
We will continue to gather and present We will continue to support portfolio
The strong historical relationship that
evidence to the Communities funded organisations and will build
we have with colleagues in An
Committee and the All Party Group on awareness of funding opportunities
Chomhairle Ealaíon continues to be
Arts, encouraging political parties to available through charitable trusts and
significant and we are actively
commit to supporting the arts, foundations. We will continue to invest
exploring joint initiatives such as an
recognise the important contribution in capacity-building measures to help
all-island touring programme and the
of the arts to society and the need for the sector adapt to a new operating
Taoiseach’s Shared Island initiative
appropriate investment. environment in the financial year ahead.
which builds on the framework of
support we already offer to our jointly
funded clients.
2
http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-PfG-Response-22-March-2021.pdf
3
The Art of Recovery (communities-ni.gov.uk)
8 9
Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Environmental Impact
It is clear that many of the Our work in this area will be greatly
organisations we fund are adapting to enhanced by the Northern Ireland
the environmental challenges facing Assembly climate change legislation
us. Some are using virtual and targets for emissions cuts. This
communications technology as an will provide a clearly defined policy
alternative to travel and sustainable framework in which the Arts Council
methods in arts-based programming can operate to mitigate and adapt to
to power creative expression and build climate change through its grant
greater awareness of environmental programmes.
issues at a community level.
Professional Conduct and Diversity
The Arts Council also recognises its As the Arts Council continues to
own responsibility to ensure funded support freelance artists and arts
organisations recognise their organisations adapt to changes in
obligation to protect the environment working practices and employment
when carrying out their work. In the regimes, it will continue to uphold and
2020–21 Stability and Renewal promote all relevant legislation and
Programme for Organisations, we best-practice as it relates to
asked organisations to demonstrate professional conduct, diversity and
how they align to ‘minimising negative equality in the workplace.
environmental impacts and promoting Greater Shantallow Community Arts, one of 13
positive ones.’ Actions identified We want the increasing diversity of key arts organisations in the Derry-Londonderry
highlight the numerous initiatives Northern Ireland society to be and Strabane area to receive Arts Council
organisations are undertaking to rise reflected in the audiences, leaders, support through the Annual Funding Programme
to the challenge of climate change. producers and creators of a
As well as developing dedicated progressive and dynamic arts sector.
environmental policies and action We will measure our progress by
plans, many are building dedicated collecting, analysing and reporting on
environmental actions into their data relating to the equality and the
programming. diversity of the work and
organisations we fund. Changes to
The Arts Council is fully committed to the Annual Funding Survey’s gender
being part of the journey to achieve identity and sexual orientation
net zero carbon emissions by 2050. classifications demonstrate our
We will, through our policies and ambitions here.
strategy work promote the highest
standards in environmental
responsibility. We will audit our own
organisation and core arts sector and
establish how to best promote,
support and sustain positive
environmental practices, for the
good of all.
Right
Arts Council and Future Screens NI
support innovative partnerships
using the arts in new and emerging
digital, immersive technologies.
10 11
Annual Business Plan 2022–23 Multi-award winning ‘Old Friends and Other Days’. Original Concept and Direction Cameron Menzies, Northern Ireland Opera. Image @Ste Murray 12 13
Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Recovering
from COVID-19
The Business Plan for We ran a survey in May 2021 which told us that:
2022–23 reflects the
context of a society that Artists and Creative Practitioners4 Arts Organisations5 Findings from our latest Annual We remain committed to place
is slowly recovering from Funding Survey6, released in the work of our artists and arts
• 97% sustained significant loss of • 74% confirmed that, without the November 2021, further organisations at the heart of our
the COVID pandemic. The earnings as result of the pandemic; Emergency funding, they would acknowledged the impact COVID-19 social, economic and creative life,
fragile and vital arts 74% lost more than half their have had to remove their creative has had on the sector. advocating their worth in a way
sector in NI has been income. programming entirely; 85% would that connects with audiences,
exponentially affected. • £12,960 was the average loss of have had to reduce their scale of Losses in earned income, totalling policymakers, investors and
earnings. activity.
The Arts Council engaged • Artists experienced a high level of • 80% reported that their grant had
£16m were offset, to an extent, by wider society, contributing to the
directly with the sector in increased public sector funding, the growth of our wider economy and
hardship and social disadvantage, alleviated their immediate financial most significant of which came from building cohesion within and
2021–22 to hear about with 74% forced to curtail all stress. government’s emergency funding between communities.
the impacts of emergency non-essential spending; 22% • 58% used the funding to cover rounds. Despite this, the sector’s
financial interventions struggled to meet basic food costs. deficit or loss of income. employment contracted by 25%, In 2021–22 we delivered
• 36% said they would have ceased • 67% have been able to protect jobs with freelance artists being £16,761,064 on eleven routine
and future needs. trading without emergency funding. and retain skills through the particularly vulnerable to staff cuts. programmes. In addition to this
• 84% reported that their grant had pandemic, thanks to the funding. A surge in online and digital activity we delivered £4,406,828 on two
alleviated immediate stress; • Over two-thirds used their grant to sought to compensate for the loss of COVID recovery programmes to
however, 50% were less optimistic maintain engagement with face-to-face engagement, reaching support artists, creative
about their longer-term financial audiences; 48% enhanced their an estimated 15m new and existing practitioners and arts
security. services online. audiences. organisations as the sector
• 77% were able to create new • 94% stated that more support was recovers from the devastating
artistic content for use in the still required to guarantee long-term We will continue to work with the impacts of the pandemic on the
future, thanks to their grant. financial stability, with only 31% Department to make the case to the arts in NI.
• 83% used their grant to develop confident their organisation would Executive as the impact continues to
new skills that will help them adapt remain financially stable to the end take its toll on the venues, theatres,
to the new operating environment. of the 2020/21 financial year. arts organisations and creative
practitioners who make up our
vibrant arts sector.
4
ACNI-Emergency-Grant-Programme-Artists.pdf (artscouncil-ni.org)
5
ACNI-Emergency-Grant-Programme-Organisations.pdf (artscouncil-ni.org) 6
ACNI-AFS-Headline-Report-2020-21.pdf (artscouncil-ni.org)
14 15Annual Business Plan 2022–23
2022–23
Business Plan Actions
A Snapshot
Inspire Connect Lead
Resilience and Sustainability Accessibility and Participation Demonstrating Impact
• Annual Funding Survey • Report to the Equality Commission • Strategic Research and
• Creative Industries Programme • Disability Access Audit Development
• Skills Development Study • Work with University of Atypical • Evidence to Demonstrate Impact
• Support A&BNI Blueprint Programme • Participate in UK Testing of (COVID, Environmental etc.)
Disability Access Card • Contribute to Communities
Investing in the Future Committee and APG on Arts
• Creative Schools Partnership Engagement • Communications and Case Studies
• Review Art Form Policies • Rural Needs Programme • Understand Living and Working
• ARTiculate Programme Promoting • Local Authority Relationships and Conditions of Artists
Positive Mental Health Data Agenda
• Advise DfC on Employability and • University Partnerships in Creative Partnership Working
Sectoral Skills Programme Industries • Strategic Sectoral Partners to
• Strategic Audience Development Support Professional Development
• Digital Development Strategy and • DCSDC Resilience Programme
Website Launch • Rural and Minority Ethnic Artists
Deliberative Fora
National and International • University Partnerships for
Representation Research Purposes
• Belfast — Major City Centre • Philanthropic Partnerships to
Cultural and Visitor Attraction Deliver Arts and Older People
• ‘Embrace the Place’ Strategic Programme
Planning Group
• International Residencies COVID Recovery
• Support International Touring • Monitor Impacts of Recovery
• Four Nations Group and EU Exit Programmes
Impacts • Continue to Monitor Impacts of
COVID through Dedicated Surveys
• Work with DfC to implement Task
Force Recommendations
• Contribute to a Broader Culture,
Arts and Heritage Strategy
Left
Jasmine Morris is announced as the new
Leader of the Ulster Youth Orchestra,
and presented by the Arts Council with
the famous Milton Violin to be played
throughout her tenure as leader.
16 17Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Inspire
Resilience and Sustainability Our Top Actions Investing in the Future Our Top Actions
The Arts Council’s Annual Funding Together we will work with Arts & Our artists are one of the greatest The Arts Council will also seek to
Programme (AFP) is the most Business NI to implement the 1 Monitor the performance of our sources of talent that we have in our secure joint funding opportunities for 1 Invest in the Creative Schools
significant allocation of public Blueprint programme and support annually funded organisations, society — supporting their continued the ARTiculate programme which Partnership (The Executive Office,
funding for the arts in Northern Derry City and Strabane District through regular meetings, creative development and nurturing facilitates artists and professional Education Authority and Arts
Ireland each year. The aim of the Council to implement a new quarterly reports and the Annual new talent for the future is an arts organisations working in Council) to improve creative and
Annual Funding Programme (AFP) is resilience programme for arts Funding Survey to ensure delivery essential role of the Arts Council. We partnership with youth and educational outcomes for children
to support Northern Ireland’s arts organisations in their area. We will against our strategy and wider will continue to value, celebrate and community organisations to give a living in deprived areas.
infrastructure through grants to work with other public funders in the Government priorities. support artists through our routine voice to young people at risk. This
organisations in all artforms and Arts to ensure that our grants are system of awards and commissions allows the future generation to begin 2 Implement a rolling art form policy
practices for their core and working effectively and that our 2 Continue to roll out and evaluate and by developing further a life-long interest in the arts and review with music and drama in
programming costs. AFP funding policy and practice is the Creative Industries programme opportunities to highlight their work creativity while finding positive light of digital developments.
organisations will be key to helping supporting long term resilience. of work in partnership with Future at home and abroad where possible. channels for self-expression, an
us achieve the objectives set out in Screens NI to incentivise We will continue to work with improved attitude towards mental 3 Continue to invest in ARTiculate
our 5-year strategic framework for The creative industries are a sector innovation and experimentation. relevant partners in ensuring that health and an expanded awareness programme promoting positive
developing the arts, Inspire, within the economy by which wealth there are proper career pathways of the support that is available. mental health and wellbeing
Connect, Lead7, and we expect all is generated through knowledge, 3 Continue to provide advisory and progression in our sector. amongst young people.
awardees to support us in delivering information and intellectual property. support to A&BNI with the The Arts Council is also creating the
these objectives. The Arts Council operates at the Blueprint programme to help The Arts Council, with support from opportunities for artists to develop 4 Work with DfC on the three-year
intersection between our funded arts organisations build their strategic Urban Villages Initiative and their artistic skills within the digital employability and sectoral skills
In 2021–22, The Arts Council sector and the commercial creative planning capacity. Education Authority, launched the realm through digital evolution grant programme.
supported 97 organisations by industries sector; aiming to transfer Creative Schools Partnership programmes; ensuring that artists’
awarding £13m through Exchequer the knowledge between our artists, 4 Commission a scoping study in Programme in spring 2018. The aim practice evolves with technological
and National Lottery funds. In the our organisations and successful partnership with DfC and of the programme was to bring more changes. As so many people engage Our artists are one of
context of funding constraints, and creative businesses. universities in NI to further creativity into the classroom to with the arts digitally, it is important the greatest sources
loss of income as a result of understand the creative industries improve educational outcomes for that we invest in artists’ skills to meet
COVID-19, we aimed to mitigate the In Northern Ireland the Creative and skills development needs. students. The partnership meets a the future needs of the arts of talent that we
impact of spending reductions and Industries are one of the fastest Signpost funded organisations to collective ambition to improve audiences. have in our society
protect ‘frontline services’. We growing sectors. In 2019 they were relevant skills and leadership community cohesion, support — supporting their
fostered the principles of adaptive worth over £1.3bn to the NI development opportunities. government priorities and reduce Talent acquisition, retention and continued creative
resilience, encouraged arts economy, employed 29,000 people, educational inequalities. We will development remains a big
organisations to collaborate with and provided a valuable contribution 5 Provide advisory support to DfC’s continue to commission this challenge. The Arts Council’s recent
development and
each other, and assessed towards the economy; including their three year employability and programme and monitor the impacts research (Nov 2021)10 demonstrated nurturing new talent
commercial opportunities through contribution towards tourism.9 The sectoral skills programme. for participants. clearly that the arts sector in for the future is an
new digital platforms. In collaboration creative industries are large, relative particular, has been haemorrhaging essential role of the
with Arts & Business NI we raised to the arts sector, and only through talent during the pandemic; the Arts Council.
awareness of the work of Trusts and partnership working can the Arts workforce contracted by a quarter in
Foundations and alternative forms of Council contribute towards its 2019/20, as income levels and ticket
arts finance. development. The Arts Council will sales collapsed during lockdown. We
continue to develop and implement a will work with DfC and key partners
Organisations in receipt of funding Creative Industries Programme in on a three-year employability and
from the Annual Funding Programme partnership with NI Screen, Future sectoral skills programme to ensure
(AFP) from the Arts Council are Screens NI, Creative & Cultural Skills talented creative practitioners can
required to complete an annual and Digital Catapult. develop and thrive and in the
survey on the activity they deliver, creative sector.
their workforce composition and
income and expenditure for the
relevant year.8
7
Inspire, Connect, Lead, http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-Draft-5-year-Strategic-Framework-for-
Developing-the-Arts-2019-2024.pdf
8
ACNI-AFS-Headline-Report-2020-21.pdf (artscouncil-ni.org)
9
Creative Industries economic estimates for Northern Ireland 2021 | Department for Communities (communities-ni.gov.uk) 10
ACNI-AFS-Headline-Report-2020-21.pdf (artscouncil-ni.org)
18 19Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Connect
Accessibility and Participation Our Top Actions Engagement Our Top Actions
The Arts Council has a longstanding Setting out a range of action points, We want more people to be able to Armagh City, Banbridge and
commitment to promote equality and the Disability Action Plan aims to 1 Continue to report progress of the choose to make the arts a part of Craigavon Borough Council 1 Work with Local Authorities to
has developed particular programmes ensure that people with a disability Disability Action Plan annually to their lives. Opportunity to engage (ACBCBC) submitted an Expression launch a Local Authority
which respond to the needs of have the same opportunities to avail the Equality Commission. and participate in the arts should not of Interest to the UK City of Culture Expenditure survey to capture key
marginalised groups such as older of investment in the Arts, including be determined by where you live or 2025 competition run by DCMS. In fields within our Annual Funding
people, young people in deprived the employment of persons with a 2 Commission a disability access your background. October 2021 they were one of eight Survey. This will strengthen our
communities, as well as minority disability in the arts sector. The plan audit of venues (COVID dependent). cities longlisted and invited to submit strategic picture of the arts as well
ethnic artists and their representation builds on measures already taken by Efforts to increase engagement full bids for the title. We will support as our monitoring frameworks,
in public life. These objectives run the Arts Council to promote inclusion 3 Work with University of Atypical through arts and cultural events ACBCBC as a strategic partner to enabling us to improve our
through the overall strategic and access, including funding the to ensure d/deaf, disabled and requires careful planning and bring our insights, advice and knowledge about patterns of
framework. This section focuses on core costs for several Arts and neurodiverse artists can create long-term strategies which seek to guidance to the development and engagement and provide robust
d/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse Disability organisations, supporting their own work and access the reach people and demonstrate an submission of the bid and consider evidence for advocacy purposes.
artists. artists through the Individual arts fully. understanding of their needs. We will future budget provision in the event
Disabled/Deaf Artists grants work with our strategic partner of a successful bid as the 2 Launch a rural needs programme.
The Arts Council will implement The programme and ensuring equality of 4 Continue to participate in the Thrive to develop an audience expectation would be that cultural £500k grant over 3 years.
Equality Scheme11, which is a access to the Arts through the Arts & UK-wide Access Card initiative development plan and to continue to activity would commence in 2023.
statement of its commitment to Disability Equality Charter. with a view to implementing a pilot understand audience motivations as 3 Develop a strategic audience
fulfilling its Section 75 duties. The NI scheme. we recover from COVID. We The Arts Council is also aware of the development plan through our
Equality Monitoring Working Group The Disability Action Plan represents supported Thrive to be part of a challenges facing rural communities partnership with Thrive.
was set up in 2013 as part of the Arts a clear statement of the Arts UK-wide study to explore how the and the need for further
Council’s arrangements for assessing Council’s ongoing commitment to The Arts Council has a ever-changing restrictions and development of the arts in these 4 Continue to build the working
compliance with Section 75 duties. fulfilling statutory obligations in longstanding commitment numerous lockdowns from the past areas. Under our Inspire Principle, partnership with Future Screens
Its function is to provide strategic compliance with Section 49A of the to promote equality and year have impacted audiences’ Objective 7, we commit to ‘Inspire NI, University of Ulster and
leadership for the outworking of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as motivations and behaviours.13 local communities to engage in Queens University Belfast to
has developed particular
Equality Scheme by ensuring that amended by the Disability transformative, high-quality arts create research and career
equality and diversity is embedded Discrimination (NI) Order 2006). In programmes which The Arts Council has been working experiences’. Associated actions opportunities for artists.
across the organisation. Chaired by recognition of the specific respond to the needs of with stakeholders to ground include ‘improving the regional and
the Chief Executive the group meets disadvantages faced by deaf and marginalised groups. relationships with the local rural reach of funding through joint 5 Launch a digital development
quarterly to review progress. disabled artists particularly from authorities, ensuring the Arts are projects with local government, such strategy for the arts sector and
COVID-19 we will ensure that, should integral to local Community Plans as local place-based cultural new Arts Council website.
The Arts Council will implement The we receive additional recovery and local integrated arts strategies. initiatives; and strengthening arts
Disability Action Plan12 which outlines funding for 2022–23, a proportion Pioneering work has already been activity in areas of low engagement’.
the organisation’s commitment to will be allocated to meet their needs done in previous years highlighting We will develop a rural needs
promoting positive attitudes towards and administered through the the significant contribution the Arts programme to support rural areas
people with disabilities and University of Atypical. can make to urban renewal and in 2022–23.
encourages participation in all regeneration, tackling inequalities
aspects of the Arts. and contributing to social cohesion.
We will explore options for
developing a pilot survey of arts
activity with two local authorities
outside Belfast in 2022–23, with the
intention of rolling out to all Local
Authorities in 2023–24.
11
Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (the Act) requires public authorities designated for the purposes of the Act to co (artscouncil-ni.org)
12
ACNI-Disability-Action-Plan-2019-2024.pdf (artscouncil-ni.org) 13
https://wewillthrive.co.uk/audience-insights/reports/missing-audiences-in-northern-ireland-wave-1-findings
20 21Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Lead
National and International Our Top Actions Demonstrating Impact Our Top Actions The Arts Council’s
Representation The Arts Council delivers a
Strategic Development
Working internationally is key to The Arts Council also has long- 1 Continue to work with Belfast City comprehensive programme of 1 Develop an annual strategic
developing a vibrant, open and standing relationships with the other Council on the development of a research and evaluation. research and development Department has lead
welcoming place with creativity at its Arts Councils in the UK. The 2022–23 major city centre cultural and visitor programme to demonstrate the role responsibility for
heart. The arts and artists from work plan includes: attraction. Our research programme aims to: of the arts through research and research, policy
Northern Ireland have made a huge evaluation with particular focus on development and
impact on the world stage. However, • Joint working to promote the 2 Sustain international residencies • Build evidence-based knowledge COVID and environmental impacts.
it was one of our key areas of work National Lottery Good Causes and showcasing opportunities to and understanding of the role and
planning functions.
to be affected by COVID-19. strategy with the National Lottery enhance the global reputation of impact of the arts on people’s lives; 2 Commission a light-touch It gathers information,
Promotions Unit artists from Northern Ireland. • Identify patterns of engagement evaluation of the current strategic analyses data,
The Arts Council’s International • Evaluating the impact of COVID-19 and factors affecting engagement framework to inform the evaluates programmes
Policy expresses our commitment to across the different nations and 3 Continue to support the delivery of in the arts; and development of the 2025–2030
and generates
and ambitions for trans-national sharing responses to the situation the UK-wide Arts Infopoint pilot • Help create more diverse, equal strategy.
interaction for the arts sector. • Continuing with agreed actions such initiative, providing practical and confident communities by evidence, in an open
Working closely with the British as commissioning opportunities with support and guidance for artists addressing inequalities as they 3 Grow public investment in the arts and accountable way,
Council and other key partners, the the Performing Rights Society for travelling to and from Northern relate to race, disability and through working in partnership with to inform the decision
Arts Council will ensure that composers from NI Ireland. gender. DfC and providing the evidence making process.
Northern Ireland’s arts organisations, • We will share intelligence about the base for the impact of the arts.
artists and arts can connect impact of Brexit on our arts and 4 Support and enhance international The Arts Council’s Strategic
internationally and develop an cultural sector through the Four travel opportunities for local artists Development Department has lead 4 Build public and political support
international perspective through Nations Initiative and Arts Infopoint. through partnership with the British responsibility for research, policy for a better resourced arts sector
profiling work, exchanging ideas and Council and Four Nations group. development and planning functions. by engaging with decision makers
developing relationships. NI has rich cultural heritage assets It gathers information, analyses data, at the Communities Committee and
which have untapped visitor potential. evaluates programmes and the Local Authorities, APG.
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland Working in partnership with the generates evidence, in an open
and An Chomhairle Ealaíon have Historic Environment Division, Tourism and accountable way, to inform the 5 Develop a Communications Plan
been working together to develop NI and the National Lottery Heritage decision making process. The team and an Advocacy Plan focusing on
the Arts for the past thirty-eight Fund, we will continue to collaborate also has responsibility for meeting the value of the arts and monitor
years. This cooperation takes many on a wider programme to understand the Arts Council’s equality and progress.
forms and includes an annual plenary audience/visitor appetite for future disability compliance duties.
session that receives reports from events. 6 Continue to understand the living
the joint North South Working Group. and working conditions of artists.
We will review our international work
The work plan for 2022–23 in conjunction with our partners and
comprises support for a the British Council to maximise vital
comprehensive range of arts showcasing, networking and
organisations delivering services on residency opportunities for artists.
an all-island basis. A Chair of Poetry We will seek to strengthen the arts
and an all island Children’s Laureate sector’s role in enhancing NI’s tourism
have been established through this product by developing compelling
mechanism and opportunities for the visitor experiences.
resumption of North-South touring
are under discussion.
22 23Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Partnership Working Our Top Actions COVID Recovery Our Top Actions The Arts Council
The Arts Council works directly with In November 2021 the Arts Council As we emerge from COVID-19 and its
endorses the published
a range of vital strategic partners, launched and established the 1 Continue to work with our resource legacy, we will build on the continued 1 Monitor the impacts of COVID
ensuring that grant programmes and Minority Ethnic and Rural based organisations to support partnership that we have had with recovery programmes. recommendations from
strategic initiatives reach those most Deliberative Forums respectively. practitioners through networks and the Department for Communities as a the Cultural Recovery
in need of intervention. Creativity They are pilot projects set up to training/professional development. result of the pandemic. This is 2 Work with DfC on defining Arts Taskforce report and
and the arts have been shown to specifically engage with and work reflected in the new partnership Council role within the Ministerial will seek additional
impact on wellbeing, place-making, in partnership with minority ethnic 2 Continue to work with Derry City agreement in planning, which will task force recommendations and
tourism and stimulate educational artists, and artists living and working and Strabane District Council to govern the relationship between the their implementation.
resources and new
engagement. The creative industries in rural areas. Both Forums act as an implement a resilience programme, Department and the Arts Council. partnerships across
are a vital element to the NI interface between Arts Council which focusses on fostering 3 Input into the 10-year vision for government to bring
economy. To best contribute to partners, Freelancers in the arts collaborative practices between The Arts Council endorses the culture, arts and heritage and the arts and culture
Programme for Government the sector, wider community, voluntary arts and cultural organisations. published recommendations from the 5-year strategy for arts for NI.
sectors back to good
development of cross-cutting and statutory sectors. Cultural Recovery Taskforce report
partnerships are essential. 3 Continue to work closely with and will seek additional resources 4 Continue to survey organisations health.
The Forums aim to give a voice Ulster University and Queens and new partnerships across and artists to gauge longer-term
We will continue to build our existing to under-represented groups by University Belfast to determine if government to bring the arts and COVID impacts.
partnership with our Sponsor involving individuals beyond those there are opportunities for joint culture sectors back to good health.
Department (DfC) which will be traditionally associated with research projects in joint areas of
particularly important in the decision-making, and specifically interest. In 2021–22 we ran recovery
development of a cross-cutting arts, those from different cultural and programmes on behalf of the
cultural and heritage strategy. ethnic backgrounds. Each Forum 4 Continue to build ongoing relations Department for Communities to:
will be responsible for addressing with a range of public and
In 2021–22, we worked with Derry key issues and barriers that artists philanthropic funders to achieve • Support and help individuals
City and Strabane District (DCSDC) face, and will be artist-led i.e. broader societal outcomes; for reconnect or maintain their trade,
Council on the Resilience forming the agendas and direction of example, the PHA and Baring profession or vocation within the
Programme. A similar initiative with the planned priorities and outcomes Foundation on the Arts and Older creative sector as it emerges from
Belfast City Council has helped arts for each Forum. The Arts Council will People Programme. COVID-19 restrictions;
organisations undergo a process of ensure that artists have been • Support arts and cultural
change aimed at making them more listened to and key outcomes will be 5 Continue to report progress on the organisations across NI with the
effective and efficient; improving incorporated into future strategies rural deliberative forum and aim to reduce or remove operating
their resilience and investment and policies; hence maximising the minority ethnic deliberative forum deficits because of long periods of
readiness. We will continue to work participation of artists in key until they complete by Q3 2022. lockdown experienced by the
with DCSDC in 2022–23 on the decisions that affect them and sector.
resilience programme and evaluate addressing key obstacles that
and share outcomes from this. minority ethnic and rural artists face. We will continue to monitor the
impact of COVID-19 on artists,
The Arts and Older People creative practitioners and arts and
Programme is aimed at stimulating cultural organisations to build an
arts engagement amongst vulnerable evidence base for further support as
and isolated older people and and when required.
continues to make a difference to
many people’s lives. Jointly funded
by the Public Health Agency and the
Baring Foundation, we will promote
the achievements of twelve projects
being delivered under COVID
restrictions. In 2021–22 we launched
research and a case studies
publication, capturing the voices of
older people, artists and staff in care
home settings during lockdown.
24 25Annual Business Plan 2022–23 MASS, by Conor Mitchell. A co-production between The Belfast Ensemble, Outburst Arts and Ulster Orchestra, premiered at Outburst Queer Arts Festival 2021. Image ©Neil Harrison 26 27
Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Organisational
Objectives
Improving Operations and Service
We are committed to improving Since the onset of the COVID-19
our performance, ensuring that pandemic, the Arts Council’s
we have the focus, innovation priority has been to digitise as
and adaptability to face an ever- many processes and procedures
changing environment. as possible, in order to maintain
business continuity and increase
This includes: access to the arts.
• Being flexible within the The additional demands placed
constraints of existing resources on the Arts Council website in
• Re-purposing funds to meet 2021–22 simply exacerbated the The Druthaib’s Ball, Array Collective, Turner Prize exhibition, Herbert Gallery Coventry, 2021. Image: Garry Jones Photography
immediate need problems associated with legacy
• Close collaboration with our software and outdated technology
Sponsor government department, that currently surround the
including co-design of any website. Arts Council will develop Digital Developments Our Top Actions
required future funding a new website and improve access Since the onset of the pandemic in The Arts Council identified the
programmes. to its services in 2022–23. 2020, the challenges of filling gaps in digital ambitions14 of arts 1 Develop a Communications Plan
digital capacity and know-how within organisations in 2021 and will and an Advocacy Plan focusing on
We recognise the importance of the NI arts sector have become kick-start a Digital Mentoring the value of the arts and monitor
investing in our people and their apparent. The need to improve Programme in 2022–23. The Arts progress.
learning development, strengthening access to the arts online for Council will help support the growth
relationships with our clients and marginalized groups, and the need to of digital knowledge and skills 2 Produce a Digital Development
ensuring that our grant programmes review and re-set the models of within the arts sector. It will help Strategy for the arts sector and
and processes work effectively and delivery for the arts in NI, are arts organisations improve their improve the digital transition of Arts
create a culture of partnership with significant. e-marketing and use of social Council services to stakeholders.
our stakeholders. media; to convert live audiences to
A digital development strategy for online audiences; to drive 3 Develop a new Arts Council
Given the increased importance for the arts in NI over the next three ecommerce and live streaming, to website, compliant with current
artists and the arts sector of digital years is a strategic Arts Council innovate with VR and new accessibility standards.
platforms for the presentation and objective. Developments in digital technologies, and create quality,
distribution of work, we will employ technology and digital arts content engaging, digital arts content for all.
a digital officer to work in offer an opportunity to look at how
partnership with a cohort of arts we can achieve a strong and resilient The Arts Council will continue to
organisations to take this forward. arts sector that is fit for current and use its website and all of its social
future challenges. media platforms to communicate
relevant arts funding content, to
showcase our artists and arts
organisations to the world, and to
make the case for the arts in NI. A
website redevelopment project is in
place and will be delivered in 2022.
14
http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/publications-documents/ACNI-Digital-Ambitions-Survey-Findings-Report-October2021.pdf
28 29Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Funding Appendices
The Arts Council receives In the current economic climate,
expenditure funds from two main the Arts Council is constantly
sources: Exchequer funding from reviewing its overhead costs. The
the NI Budget through DfC and budget for 2022/23 is £671,958.
Lottery funds from the Department
for Digital, Culture, Media and The Arts Council continues to
Sport (DCMS). monitor costs rigorously to
ensure we meet our statutory
The ‘indicative’ Exchequer budget guidelines and maintain
figure (Resource) is £10,347,000 corporate governance standards.
(2022–23), [2021–22: £10,197,000].
An increase of £150,000 was made We are developing business
for ‘tails’ (expenditure carried cases to the Department to
forward from 2021–22) and sundry secure capital resources to
inescapable pressures in the deliver four different
current year. programmes. These will cover
small items of equipment and
The Net Lottery income for the minor works, health and safety
year is forecast at £9,948,000. equipment in response to
COVID-19, musical instruments
The ‘indicative’ Exchequer Capital for bands, groups and individuals
budget is £499,000. and the purchase of artwork for
the collection which in turn will
support artists.
30 31Annual Business Plan 2022–23
Arts & Older People Programme COVID Recovery Programme 3. Publications
September 2021 for Arts Organisations
Arts Council awards £207,000 to January 2022 Evidencing Need
enable 27 arts organisations across Arts Council with funding from August 2021
Northern Ireland to deliver a series of Department for Communities opens Arts Council report, working with the
community-based arts projects new recovery programme designed to Department for Communities and the
benefitting older people. reduce or remove organisations’ ministerial Cultural Recovery Task Force
Appendix 1
http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ operating deficits which have arisen in group, collating evidence to
arts-council-announces-207000-for- 2021–22 as a result of the pandemic. demonstrate the impact of COVID-19,
creative-projects-benefitting-older- This new programme for arts and making the case for an Arts &
people organisations is part of DfC’s wider Culture Sectoral Survival Fund for
COVID Recovery Programme, co- Individual Artists.
designed with seven sectoral bodies. http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/
Health & Safety Capital Programme
October 2021 http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ uploads/publications-documents/
covid-recovery-programme-opens- Evidencing_Need_Individuals.pdf
Headline Achievements 2021–22
Arts Council, with funds from the
for-arts-organisations
Department for Communities, opens
programme to support arts EU Withdrawal: Key Changes and
organisations to reopen their creative Creative Industries Seed Fund Implications for Northern Ireland-
spaces safely. £749,226 awarded in January 2022 based Arts Organisations
January 2022 to 34 organisations. Arts Council in collaboration with August 2021
1. Introduction Individual Artists Digital Creative Individuals http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ Future Screens NI opens new funding Arts Council report setting out the key
Evolution Awards Scheme Recovery Programme acni-announce-750000-health- programme which aims to develop changes in legislation affecting creative
Almost exactly two years after they August 2021 September 2021 safety-capital-programme-to- partnerships that will use the arts workers and arts organisations travelling
were first introduced, the last remaining support-the-sector (October) within new and emerging digital, or trading with EU counterparts.
The Arts Council, in collaboration with Arts Council with funding from immersive technologies to expand the
COVID-19 legal restrictions came to an Future Screens NI, opens new funding Department for Communities opens http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/
end in Northern Ireland in March 2022. possibilities of how the arts can be uploads/publications-documents/
programme which aims to provide new recovery programme, co- acni-announces-health-and-safety-
Following the government’s successful distributed and utilised in new and ACNI_EU_Withdrawal.pdf
individual artists from Northern Ireland designed to support individuals funding-to-support-arts-organisations
vaccination programme in 2021–22, innovate ways
with skills in the use of digital working in the arts and creative (January)
restrictions eased during the year and technology to support sustainability in sectors. £2,711,816 is awarded in http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ Freelance Practitioner
we welcomed the cautious reopening the context of COVID-19. £85,688 is December to 1,433 individuals to arts-council-opens-new-100000- Research Report
Four Nations International Fund
of arts venues and the return of live awarded in November to nine artists. support one-off costs associated with creative-industries-seed-fund September 2021
October 2021
in-person performances and activities. their arts practice and to build their Survey-based research identifying the
http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Arts
The Arts Council funding programmes, professional and technical skills. Organisations Digital development, creative and production
arts-council-opens-new-80000- Council England, Arts Council Wales/
publications and highlights listed below, Evolution Awards needs of freelance artists from Northern
individual-artists-digital-evolution- http://artscouncil-ni.org/ Wales Arts International and Creative
reflect this transition and the January 2022 Ireland’s theatre and dance sectors.
awards (August) news/5million-recovery-fund-to- Scotland jointly pilot new fund to
exceptionally challenging circumstances Arts Council opens new £40,000
http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ support-individuals-in-the-arts- support individuals and organisations http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/
in which artists and arts organisations funding programme to provide arts
arts-council-announces-85688-for- creative-sectors (September) in developing international partnerships uploads/publications-documents/
nevertheless continued to create great organisations from Northern Ireland
art, connect with audiences, and innovative-digital-arts-projects http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ and co-creation projects across the ACNI-Freelance-Practitioner-Research-
(November) arts-council-announces-2.7-million- four nations. with skills in the use of digital Report-Executive-Summary.pdf
provide both solace and inspiration. technology to create digital art.
recovery-funding-to-support- http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/
2. Funding Programmes Mentoring and Residency Programme individuals (December) uk-arts-councils-agencies-to-pilot- http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ Stories from the Inside; Isolation,
for Minority Ethnic Artists new-fund-for-international- arts-council-opens-new-40000- Loneliness, and the Arts, in Residential
Annual Funding Programme September 2021 Musical Instruments for collaboration organisations-digital-evolution-awards Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 2021 Arts Council opens new pilot funding Bands Programme September 2021
Arts Council awards annual funding of programme to support the work of September 2021 Creative Schools Partnership Small Grants Programme Study commissioned by the Arts
£13m to key arts organisations from minority ethnic artists and creative Arts Council, with capital investment November 2021 January 2022 Council about the role of the arts in
Exchequer and National Lottery practitioners living in Northern Ireland. from the Department for Communities, Eleven post-primary schools in Belfast Arts Council reopens the Small Grants supporting the residential care sector as
resources. £107,000 is awarded in November to opens programme designed to help and Derry-Londonderry receive grants ‘rolling’ programme, providing it begins the process of recovery and
27 minority ethnic artists. bands across Northern Ireland upgrade of up to £15,000 each to develop professional arts organisations and reopening after the pandemic.
http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ACNI-
awards-13-million-in-core-grants http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ worn out instruments and purchase landmark arts projects over the next community groups with grants http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/
arts-council-opens-first-mentoring- new ones. Twenty-four bands receive two years, through a cross- between £500–£10,000 to support uploads/publications-documents/
Lottery Project Funding and-residency-programme-for- funding in November. departmental fund backed by the Arts projects in any art form, including ACNI-Stories-from-the-Inside-Final-
July 2021 minority-eth (September) http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ Council, the Executive’s Urban Villages music, drama, dance, literature, visual, Report-Executive-Summary.pdf
http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ arts-council-opens-funding-scheme- Initiative and the Education Authority. and participatory arts.
Arts Council awards Lottery Project
funding of £1.9m to arts organisations arts-council-announces-twenty- to-help-bands-purchase-new- http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/
to deliver high-quality arts projects seven-new-awards-for-minority- instruments (September) eleven-schools-receive-specialist- arts-councils-national-lottery-small-
across the region. ethnic-artists (November) http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/ funding-to-develop-creative-projects grants-programme-reopens
http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/arts- arts-council-announces-funding-for-
council-awards-over-1.9m-of-national- 24-bands-to-purchase-new-
lottery-funding instruments (November)
32 33You can also read
