British Council and Arts Council NI mark 12 years of international collaboration with new MOU signing
8th October, 2024
British Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland recently signed a new MOU which aims to support and develop artistic talent from Northern Ireland internationally. The new agreement follows 12 years of successful partnership working between the two organisations and supports the international ambitions of NI artists through a number of funding schemes and showcasing opportunities which enhance Northern Ireland’s international artistic development, reputation and standing.
Pictured signing the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the British Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland at The MAC in Belfast are, Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council NI and Cortina Butler, British Council Director of Arts. Pictured back row (L-R) are Siobhán Molloy, Arts Development Officer, Arts Council NI, Jonathan Stewart, Director, British Council Northern Ireland, and Colette Norwood, Head of Arts, British Council Northern Ireland.
Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said,
“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to continue our valued partnership with the British Council. This strong relationship, helps to support, grow and develop artistic talent, and offer rich and vital international showcasing opportunities.
The Arts Council’s International Policy expresses our commitment to creating opportunities for artists and arts organisations from Northern Ireland to develop international connections and to showcase their work on the world stage. Throughout the 12 years of this partnership with the British Council, hundreds of talented artists and arts organisations from Northern Ireland have been enabled to take their work to new and diverse audiences in many countries. We are delighted to sign this new MOU and look forward to continuing this important relationship.”
Cortina Butler, British Council Director of Arts, added,
"We are delighted to mark 12 years of international working with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland today and to celebrate our continuing partnership. Together we have showcased great art and artists from Northern Ireland on an international stage, created opportunities for cultural exchange and developed long-term international creative partnerships.
"Building local and international investment together is key to our partnership and central to our aim of creating a more prosperous, connected and globally recognised Northern Ireland cultural sector.
"We recognise the vital legacy of our partnership and, despite the challenges of the funding environment, together we are committed to investing in our creative talent and building on our ambition to create more international opportunities for artists, arts professionals and creative organisations and showcase the excellence of Northern Ireland's creativity around the world."
The new MOU will continue a number of programmes that support artists and arts organisations from Northern Ireland including the following:
The Artists’ International Development Fund - supports early-stage international development opportunities for individual, freelance and self-employed artists and organisations based in Northern Ireland.
The Centre Culturel Irlandais (CCI) Programme - launched in September 2014, musicians, writers and visual artists have had the opportunity to showcase their talents at a series of events at this prestigious centre for the arts in Paris.
Edinburgh Fringe Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland – enables NI artists to showcase their work at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the biggest arts marketplace in the world, and take part in the Fringe Connect, an unparalleled opportunity for artists to connect and network with international arts industry figures with a view to having their work tour internationally.
In August 2024 six major works, created by some of Northern Ireland’s leading creators of theatre, dance makers and arts organisations, were showcased as part of a Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland event at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This was an opportunity that was supported thanks to the collaboration between British Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Theatre and Dance NI. Pictured launching the spotlight are (L-R) Colette Norwood (British Council), playwrights, Aoibh Johnson, Trevor Gill and Cahal Clarke, Molly-Rose Street (Theatre and Dance NI/TDNI), playwright, Paddy McEneaney, Niamh Flanaghan (TDNI), playwright, PJ (Patrick) Davey, Siobhán Molloy (Arts Council NI), Jonathan Stewart (British Council), Caoileann Curry-Thompson (Arts Council NI), and playwright, Glenn McGivern.
India Residency - a one-month residency in the historic town of Ramgarh Shekhawati in the princely state of Rajasthan, founded in 1791, which was one of the richest towns in 19th century India.
Pictured is visual artist Mairead McCormack and poet Emily S Cooper who were selected by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the British Council to undertake residencies in India in 2019. The next India residency will take place in January 2025.
Worldwide Music Expo (WOMEX) - Arts Council NI in partnership with the British Council and Culture Ireland host a combined stand located within the Horizons section of WOMEX.
