Eight arts organisations across the island of Ireland are getting a welcome boost in 2024 with funding from Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together Arts Fund, delivered in partnership with Business to Arts, with local support from Arts & Business NI.
Over £890,000 in funding has been allocated to support 100 artists and arts projects in communities across the island of Ireland since 2020.
The fund has provided two grants to organisations in Northern Ireland, with this round of the Begin Together Arts Fund supporting projects which inspire and uplift local communities, with a focus on helping arts organisations working with marginalised and vulnerable groups.
Kids in Control and University of Atypical will receive up to £11,000 each to support programmes across the arts that increase inclusion and break down barriers to arts participation.
Kids in Control is a professional theatre company that works with children and young people of all abilities and backgrounds in Belfast. The funding will go towards All Doors Open, a dynamic physical, storytelling and creative learning programme.
University of Atypical (UofA) is a disabled-led arts charity and the lead sectoral organisation for arts and disability in Northern Ireland. UofA takes an empowerment-based approach towards d/Deaf, disabled and Neurodiverse people’s involvement in the arts as artists and audience members.
William Thompson, Head of Consumer Banking NI, Bank of Ireland UK said:
“The Begin Together Fund recognises the important social and economic contribution of the arts and culture sector and its role in connecting and strengthening communities.
“Since the fund began in 2020, Begin Together has provided financial support to a broad range of artists and arts organisations. We are pleased that this round of funding will help increase participation in the arts and ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to explore their creativity.
“We wish the organisations and artists well, as their projects come to life in the months ahead”.
Louise O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Business to Arts said:
“It is an honour to work with such a committed partner as Bank of Ireland on this seminal arts fund. It supports and highlights the work of a range of leading arts resource organisations serving diverse audiences in an inclusive way and ensuring a distributed impact across the artists and the communities they serve.”
Begin Together is a key part of Bank of Ireland’s support for building an inclusive and resilient society which will thrive in the challenges of today and into the future. For further information on the Begin Together programme visit: www.bankofireland.com/begintogether
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