Damian Smyth, Head of Literature selects some of the best works published by local writers.

Still struggling with the Christmas shopping?  From books and original art, to tickets for a great play or concert, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland picks out some perfect presents to warm the heart on Christmas morning…

Back in March, Margret Henry, CEO of Thrive attended the Creative Industries Federation Brexit Conference in London, hoping to get some insight or answers as to how Brexit will affect arts and culture in Northern Ireland. Here’s her take on the day:

A piece by Terra Nova's Artistic Director Andrea Montgomery.

"Eleven years ago, I set up Terra Nova Productions, Northern Ireland’s only professional intercultural theatre company. We try to ensure that all people involved have ownership of our productions, working as we do in the relatively monocultural environment of post-troubles Northern Ireland.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support many of our leading literary greats as well as some of the most talented emerging writers of our generation. Damian Smyth, Head of Literature, picks some of the best of the recent reads now in the shops by local writers.

Northern Ireland Opera’s Artistic Director, Walter Sutcliffe tells us about what they’ve been up to over the last six months.

We caught up with writer Jan Carson about the EastSide Arts Artful Ageing project which aims to break down isolation and loneliness amongst older residents and how she enjoys working with older people.

Playwright Alice Malseed is under the spotlight, having been awarded an international residency award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the British Council to travel to India. Alice used her four week placement at Ramgarh Shekhawati in Rajasthan, to research and develop her new play ‘Goddess’. Set in present-day Belfast the story will re-imagine powerful Goddess figures from Hinduism and Celtic cultures.