Northern Ireland
Browse ArchiveThe Arts make a major contribution to life in Northern Ireland.
They make a strong contribution to the economy, with our excellent arts venues driving the night-time economy, our distinctive arts and cultural attractions drawing visitors and business to the region, and our Creative Industries rapidly becoming one of our main sources of job and wealth creation.
The arts are also firmly engaged at the heart of community life in Northern Ireland – in schools helping to build young people’s confidence and communications skills; in care homes helping older people to cope with isolation and loneliness; in our hospitals introducing a reassuring human dimension to clinical environments; in local neighbourhoods driving the many successful neighbourhood regeneration programmes that are enabling residents to rebuild their communities.
Here are some recent highlights of inspiring work by artists and organisations working in Northern Ireland today, supported by the Arts Council.
Recent Northern Ireland Projects
Artist of the Month, March 2020 - John Piekaar
Monday 2nd March 2020 at 4pm
John Piekaar is a Designer and Craftsman based in Ballynahinch, County Down. He specialises in fine bespoke furniture designs and makes unique one-off items of furniture and wooden accessories.
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Artist of the Month, February 2020 - Elin Johnston
Monday 17th February 2020 at 11am
Elin Johnston is an award winning contemporary Artist/Maker/Jeweller, based in Belfast. She holds a BA (Hons) Degree in 3D Design, and an MA Masters Degree in Industrial Design. In addition to being a maker, Elin has also worked as an independent Design/Creative Director, and as a Lecturer in Design at a wide range of Art & Design Faculties in England and Wales.
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Artist of the Month, December 2019 – Mairead McCormack
Monday 2nd December 2019 at 4pm
Mairead McCormack is a textile artist from Randalstown. She was drawn to textiles from an early age, having grown up in an area with a rich textile heritage, and with many of her family members having worked in the Old Bleach Linen Factory. She graduated from Ulster University in 2016 with a First Class Honours Degree in Textile Art, Design and Fashion, and went on to become the Artist in Residence at Ulster University in 2016-17.
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