LISTEN: Almost £7m of additional support for struggling artists

By Q Radio News

Stormont is putting up almost £7m to help artists who are struggling as a result of the pandemic.

The additional funding is to be allocated to nearly 1,600 people including actors and musicians.

Grants of up to £7,500 are available.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey says more than 3,000 individuals in total will benefit from the support. 

“I am pleased to say that my Department has been able to meet all of the eligible claims for financial support from the Individual Emergency Resilience Programme 2 (IERP),'' she added. 

“This fund built on the initial Artist Emergency Programme (AEP), opened in April 2020 as a direct response to the impact on the sector of Covid-19.

“These latest awards brings the total number of individual artists my Department has been able to support from this fund to over 3,000 people.

“They are in recognition of the crucial importance of the arts and culture sector and the social, creative and economic contribution it makes to our entire society. I will continue to do everything I can to help the sector during this hugely difficult time.”

Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said:  “The Arts Council is today offering 1,562 awards to creative individuals across Northern Ireland totalling £6,910,796.

''This is the second call this year for the Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme (IERP 2); an exceptional response from the Minister and NI Executive in the ongoing pandemic to support those working in the creative sector.

''The programme was co-designed with the Department for Communities and we received applications from a footprint much broader than ACNI’s usual remit for individual artists.

''It included all those working in the creative economy such as venue support staff, set designers, technicians, comedians, DJs, rappers, editors and proof-readers among others.

“Today’s announcement of support to these individuals will provide reassurance to those facing enormous personal challenges as artists and creatives at this time.

''We are hopeful that our artists, arts organisations and the wider cultural sector can resume creative activity at some point later in 2021.

''They are one of the sectors that has been disproportionately impacted throughout this crisis; unable to open at any point in the pandemic and likely to be one of the last to emerge from the lockdown.”

Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis has also welcomed the £6.9 million boost for musicians, actors and freelancers. 

The South Down MLA said: “I welcome Minister Deirdre Hargey’s announcement of almost £7 million to get money back into the pockets of musicians, actors and freelancers.

“This funding will help to support thousands of workers and their families who have had a really tough time over the last year.

“We’ve all seen the role they have played in keeping us entertained and keeping our spirits up online and it’s important that they receive proper support for their loss of income.

“Sinn Féin will continue to support our artists and the arts.”