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What We Do
What We Do
The Arts Council is the official funding and development organisation for the arts in Northern Ireland.
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Arts Council funding supports hundreds of artists, arts practitioners, venues and communities. We invest money from Government and the National Lottery to support arts and culture across Northern Ireland.
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We believe in placing art at the heart because art makes a difference. We support artists and arts organisations through a range of funding opportunities.
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Rural Engagement Arts Programme

The Rural Engagement Arts Programme provides a cohesive approach to the needs of rural communities. The overarching theme of the programme is to tackle isolation and loneliness, and promote social inclusion and wellbeing through participation in the arts.

About the Rural Engagement Arts Programme

The programme increases opportunities for people living in rural communities to engage and participate in meaningful arts activities, enriching their lives for the better.

Our Impact

£500,000 invested
73 projects

Choir of mainly older people singing together in an informal setting — Glenlough Community Pick-Me-Up Choir

Rural Engagement Programme

Recent News

A group of people from the workshop standing with National Lottery crossed fingers. An image of Seamus Heaney is in the background.

Seamus Heaney HomePlace hosts Mid-Ulster writing workshop helping communities combat rural isolation

28th February, 2024

Dafydd Hall Williams, Ulster Touring Opera, David Robertson, Fermanagh Choral Society and Bryony May, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council standing outdoors with the Fermanagh lakes in the background.

Arts Council announces £500,000 funding to support 73 rurally-based arts projects

24th October, 2022

Organisations

Bardic Theatre’s inclusive arts project for young people from ethnic minority backgrounds living in rural Tyrone

16th January, 2024

Two young girls enjoying the film making workshops at Glasgowbury in Draperstown, Magherafelt. Both are holding electric guitars against a green screen backdrop.

Arts Council announces new three-year £1.5m funding programme promoting arts projects in rural areas

8th June, 2022

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