Arts Council of Northern Ireland facts for kids
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is a special group that helps support the arts all across Northern Ireland. Think of it as a team that gives money and help to artists, musicians, writers, and performers so they can create amazing things for everyone to enjoy.
In the Irish language, it's called Comhairle Ealaíon Thuaisceart Éireann, and in Ulster-Scots, it's known as Airts Cooncil o Norlin Airlan.
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What Does the Arts Council Do?
The main job of the Arts Council is to be the number one supporter for the arts in Northern Ireland. It helps creativity grow by providing funding and resources.
Where Does the Money Come From?
The council gets money from two main places:
- The government of Northern Ireland.
- The National Lottery. This means that when people buy lottery tickets, some of that money goes to help fund art projects.
The council then carefully decides which projects, festivals, and artists should receive this money to help them succeed. It is an important organization that works with the Department for Communities, but it operates independently.
A Little Bit of History
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland was officially started in 1964. Before that, a similar group existed called the Committee for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (CEMA), which had been supporting the arts since the 1940s.
Today, the council's main office is located at Linen Hill House in the city of Lisburn.
Famous Festivals and Projects
The Arts Council helps support many well-known events and organizations. Here are a few examples:
- Audiences NI: An organization that helps arts groups understand their audiences better.
- Belfast Festival at Queens: A famous international arts festival held in Belfast.
- Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival: Another popular festival in Belfast featuring music, comedy, and theatre.
- Culture Northern Ireland: A website and magazine all about arts and culture in the region.
- Féile an Phobail: A large community festival held in West Belfast.
See also
- List of Government departments and agencies in Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland Screen
- Arts Council (Ireland)
