Development (Arts) Sub-Committee 6 September 2006
From Nigov
Wednesday, 6th September, 2006
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT (ARTS) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Kelly (Chairman); the High Sheriff (Councillor Humphrey); and Councillors Adamson, Cobain, Cunningham, Hartley, Kirkpatrick, Lavery, P. Maskey and McCausland.
- In attendance:
- Ms M. T. McGivern (Director of Development);
- Ms P. Morrow (Culture and Arts Manager);
- Mr R. Heslip (Culture and Heritage Officer);
- Ms L. Holmes (Cultural Communications Officer);
- Ms C. O’Toole (Arts Development Officer);
- Ms D. Robb (Arts Development Officer); and
- Miss L. Hillick (Committee Administrator).
Apologies
Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Long and Maginness.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 2nd August were taken as read and signed as correct.
Forum for Local Government and the Arts
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting of 7th June, it had agreed to receive a presentation from representatives of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in connection with proposals that the Council become a member of the Forum for Local Government and the Arts. It was reported that Mr. N. Livingston and Ms. E. Hegarty were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman (Councillor Kelly).
Mr. Livingston reported that, following the publication of the Priestly Report, the Forum for Local Government and the Arts had been established during 1994, with the aim of formalising the mechanisms and working arrangements through which the Arts Council would consult with District Councils. He pointed out that, in light of recent announcements in relation to the Review of Public Administration, there was a need to reconsider the structure and objectives of the Forum. The Venture Report and the Transition Working Group Report had recommended the restructuring of the Forum including the appointment of an Executive Committee to oversee the work of the Forum through the support of a full-time secretariat. He stated that the reconstituted Forum’s aims and objectives were:
(i) to encourage advocacy of the arts at a local level;
(ii) to act as a networking body and stimulate the exchange of good practice;
(iii) to help build capacity within the sector; and
(iv) to develop resources for the arts.
Arising from discussion in the matter, Mr. Livingston pointed out that the Forum was keen for the Council to join and that it would be willing to consider suspending the membership fees in return for support-in-kind.
The Chairman, on behalf of the Sub-Committee, thanked the representatives for their attendance and they retired from the meeting.
The Sub-Committee noted that a further report in the matter would be submitted in due course for its consideration.when?
Shankill Radio/Switch Ventures Project
(Mr. C. Quigley, Director of Legal Services, attended in connection with this item.)
The Sub-Committee agreed to defer until a special meeting consideration of a report in relation to funding in respect of the Shankill Radio/Switch Ventures Project to enable the Director of Legal Services to submit a further legal opinion thereon.when?
Rolling Programme to Support Innovation in Culture and Arts
The Culture and Arts Manager reminded the Sub-Committee that, at its meeting on 2nd November, 2005, it had agreed to the implementation of a Rolling Programme to Support Innovation in Culture and Arts during the financial year 2006/2007.
She pointed out that the purpose of the Programme was to assist arts or heritage organisations to avail of opportunities which would arise during the year, including those which were submitted after the closing date for Annual Funding or Multi‑Annual Funding applications. Grants awarded through the scheme would range from £250 to £3,000.
She reported that the undernoted applications for funding under the terms of the Programme had been received:
|Organisation |Event |Amount Requested |Recommendation | |Creative Exchange |Events associated with the |£3,000 |Funding of £2,500 | | |organisation's 10th Anniversary MILL| | | | |celebrations | | | |Catalyst Arts |A programme of events associated |£3,000 |Do not support - Does not meet| | |with a festival of noise | |the criteria |
After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations.
Ormeau Baths Gallery
The Culture and Arts Manager informed the Sub-Committee that, following its closure during February, the Ormeau Baths Gallery had re-opened under the temporary management of the Arts Council for Northern Ireland. Subsequently, a number of meetings had been held between representatives of the Arts Council and the Arts Sub‑Committee in relation to the future development of the Gallery.
She reminded the Sub-Committee that, at its meeting on 8th March, it had agreed that a grant of £23,000, which had been awarded in connection with the Gallery’s Annual Funding Application, be withheld pending the outcome of discussions with the Arts Council. The Arts Council had now submitted details in respect of the exhibition programme which would be held during 2006/2007, together with an outline of its programme for education, development and outreach work. Officers from the Culture and Arts Unit intended to work closely with the Arts Council and the Ormeau Baths Gallery to ensure the delivery of the Programme and she recommended that the Sub-Committee agree that the grant of £23,000 be paid.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Arts Council of Northern Ireland – Draft Strategy 2006-2011
The Sub-Committee considered a report in relation to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Draft Strategy entitled ‘Developing a New Regional Strategy for the Arts: Arts Council 5 Year Plan 2006-2011.’
The Culture and Arts Manager reported that the Arts Council had requested that comments in relation to the Draft Strategy be submitted no later than 15th September. Accordingly, she submitted for the Members’ consideration a response to the Draft Strategy and pointed out that, if agreed by the Sub-Committee, the comments would be submitted to the Arts Council, subject to ratification by the Council at its meeting on 4th October. Accordingly, she requested that the Sub-Committee agree that the comments contained within the report be forwarded to the Arts Council as the Council’s formal response to the consultation exercise.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation and noted that a copy of the response was available for inspection in the Members’ Library. In addition, the Sub-Committee agreed to receive at a future meeting a presentation from representatives of the Community Arts Forum, which had undertaken a community consultation exercise which would inform the further development of the Council’s Integrated Cultural Strategy.
IMPACT Initiative
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report in relation to the IMPACT Initiative.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Urban Alchemy Conference
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) in relation to the progress which had been achieved in connection with the organisation of the Urban Alchemy Conference which would be held at the Belfast Waterfront Hall on 26th September.
Chairman
