Disproportionate cuts to arts budget in Northern Ireland

Despite receiving 17,000 responses campaigning against cuts to the arts budget as part of its 2015/16 Budget Consultation, the Northern Ireland Executive will be cutting its funding to the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure – the smallest department – by 10% in 2015/16. Within the Department, the arts budget is being disproportionately targeted with an 11.2% cut, meaning that arts spend will fall from 13p to just over 11p per person per week.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, which previously warned that as many as 500 jobs could be lost if the proposed 11.2% went ahead, is asking those working in the sector to “continue to take every opportunity to showcase the value of the contribution the arts make to our local politicians and decision makers”.