Arts Sector To Get £33 Million In Support Funding

Ní Chuilín welcomes £33m allocation of funds.

Ní Chuilín welcomes £33m allocation of funds.

Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín, has welcomed the news that the Executive will receive £33million, following the announcement by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport that they are to invest £1.57 billion in cultural, arts and heritage institutions.

The Minister said: “Since arts, culture and heritage are devolved matters, this £33million is our share of the significant support package announced by the British Chancellor and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. 

“Whilst ultimately it will be for the Executive to decide on how this money should be spent, the argument for a comprehensive package of support to local musicians, freelancers, theatres, artists, museums and the heritage sector at a time when they are struggling to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic cannot be overstated.

“Last week I announced that the sector is to benefit from an initial £4m from Executive funds, however it was always expected that much more additional finance would be required to help protect the sector that is vital to our economy and wellbeing. 

“I will be making strong representations to my Executive colleagues at the earliest opportunity on how this money should be spent to ensure the short term and long term sustainability of the sector.”