Have Your Say On Arts And Heritage In Ards And North Down

Ards and North Down residents are being invited to have their say and help shape a strong and ambitious arts and heritage sector in the area.

Ards and North Down Borough Council is working to produce a new Integrated Strategy for the future development and delivery of arts and heritage services in the borough. This process will result in a five-year Strategy and three-year Action Plan.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Robert Adair, is encouraging residents to get involved.  He said: “Arts and heritage illuminates our inner lives and enriches our emotional world, having a positive impact on our social wellbeing, our physical and mental health, our education system and our economy.

“In Ards and North Down we are privileged to already have a thriving arts and heritage sector.  Please come and share your views and experiences to help create a strategy that will further enhance this.”

Ards and North Down Borough Council Mayor Robert Adair gets into the Portaferry Gala spirit as the long-established Portaferry festival comes to another successful climax with the Gala Parade.

There are several ways to get involved… you can come along to a public meeting or take part in a focus group.

Public meetings are open to everyone and will be held at the following dates/ venues:

* Wednesday 30August, 7.00pm-8.30pm, Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards

* Thursday 31 August, 6.30pm-8.00pm, The Chamber, Bangor Castle, Bangor

* Wednesday 6 September, 8.00pm-9.30pm, The Market House, Portaferry

A series of focus groups in August and September are also available for anyone interested in, or involved in, the arts and heritage sectors, including the performing arts, visual arts, heritage, amateur arts, creative industries and local, business, festivals and individual practitioners. Full details are available at:

ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.

For more information on what group you would be best suited to attend or for general enquires contact Ards Arts Centre on 028 9181 0803 or:

arts@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk