Business Plan 2023

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Annual Business Plan for 2023-24 sets out the organisation’s strategic objectives and corresponding actions for the current financial year.

The Business Plan reflects the delivery of the fifth and final year of the Arts Council’s five-year Strategic Framework for developing the arts, 2019-2024, entitled ‘Inspire, Connect, Lead’. It considers the specific strategic context for the arts in 2023-24, including recovery from the pandemic, the impact of the cost of living crisis, Governmental priorities, the implications of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, responding to environmental challenges, and reflecting the increasing diversity of Northern Ireland society in the audiences, leaders, producers and creators of a progressive and dynamic arts sector.

Under the Framework’s headings of ‘Inspire’, ‘Connect’ and ‘Lead’, the Business Plan outlines the key actions to be undertaken by the Arts Council this year in regards to: programmes to support reach, artistic quality and innovation; developing the creative workforce; commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion; connecting to strategic partners; national and international representation; engaging with the sector, and; valuing the creative sector.

The Business Plan 2023-24 also takes the opportunity to look back at some of the achievements of the previous year, providing an overview of the Arts Council’s Funding and Research programmes, as well as a sample of the arts sector’s successes, including Lyric Theatre winning ‘Theatre of the Year’ at the Stage Awards and ‘An Irish Goodbye’ winning Best Short Film at the Oscars.

Contents

• Who we are
• What we do
• Our Vision
• Strategic Context
• Recovering from COVID-19
• 2023-24 Business Plan Actions
• Organisational Objectives
• Funding