• What We Do
  What We Do

  The Arts Council is the official funding and development organisation for the arts in Northern Ireland.
  

  Learn More about What We Do

  • Our Strategy
  • What We Support
• Funding
  Funding

  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.
  

  Learn More about Funding My Applications

  • Funding for Organisations
  • Funding for Individuals
  • Funding Help & Advice
  • Other Funders
• Resources
• About Us
  About Us

  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.

  Learn More about About Us

  • Our People
  • Annual Reports
  • Equality
  • Governance
  • Funding Partners
• News
• Jobs
• Contact

[A group of people standing smiling towards the camera.] Artists and health staff bringing the magic of the Fleadh to Belfast HSC Trust. Pictured at the Fleadh for All Traditional Concert & Tea Dance, organised by Arts Care NI and the Belfast Trust, are Barry Macaulay, Chief Executive Officer, Arts Care NI, Paul Bell, Arts Care NI musician, Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council NI, Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, Jennifer Welsh, Chief Executive, Belfast Trust, Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons, and Brendan Popplestone, Arts Care Musician in Residence.

The event was supported by the Belfast Trusts own Arts Care Programme and was attended by groups of people from their Older Peoples Services, Learning and Physical Disability Services and those from Mental Health settings. They joined together with musicians to enjoy traditional music and dance celebrating the very first visit by the all-Ireland Fleadh to Belfast.

Additional support and funding were secured from Belfast City Council, through Fleadh Cheoil na hireann, the worlds largest celebration of Irish and Traditional music. The aim was to bring the Fleadh spirit to those people who were unable to access the main music events across the city.

The Ministers and audience listened to live music from the Arts Care NI Trad Band, took part in a cilidh and enjoyed a piece of dance performance.

The Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons, whose department funds organisations like Arts Care NI through the Arts Council of NI said, Today is about bringing the flavour of the Fleadh and a big dose of musical inspiration to those who need it most this is a great initiative by Arts Care NI. And its a good example of the benefits for people and services that can come when the arts and healthcare come together with a common purpose.

Funding for artists and arts organisations in NI often comes from public sources like the Department for Communities and the Arts Council of NI. It is great to see the significant impact that engagement in the arts makes on peoples lives, improving health and wellbeing for all, particularly those coping with long-term health conditions."

[]A Fleadh for All! Artists help bring the magic of the Fleadh to Belfast HSC Trust Minister Lyons, Department for Communities with participant Cecilia and Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council NI.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt highlighted the joy the music and dance can bring, enhancing the experience of patients and their families at Knockbracken Healthcare Park. Minister Nesbitt said: This is a wonderful event which brings the inclusive spirit of the Fleadh to those who would otherwise miss out on this experience. I recognise the significant benefits of arts and music therapy, and it is clear todays event has boosted the spirits of the service users, enriching their experience and supporting their rehabilitation and wellbeing.

Event organiser Arts Care NI has been bringing the benefits of the arts into healthcare, social care, and community settings across Northern Ireland for decades. The organisation works alongside artists, arts organisations and health care communities to create inspiring projects that promote wellbeing, support mental health, and enrich everyday environments.From hospitals and care homes to workplaces and training programmes, they deliver high-quality arts experiences and training that make a real difference to patients, staff, students, and service users.

The Arts Council is the core funder of Arts Care NI supporting the organisation with 82,000 which enables 40 artists across NI to reach approximately 23,000 participants each year. As NIs leading arts-in-health organisation, Arts Care NI works to support the complex needs of health service users across five NI Health and Social Services Trusts and have established a track record of delivering work of artistic excellence.

Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said, It is thrilling to have Fleadh Cheoil na hireann come to Belfast and we are delighted to support Arts Care NI in bringing the magic of the Fleadh to audiences here today, helping to ensure that more people from all backgrounds can enjoy arts experiences.Indeed, the arts play a big part in how Northern Ireland stays well. We know that taking part in arts activities brings people and communities closer together, improves mental health and wellbeing, and helps to alleviate isolation and loneliness - thats why working with partners in health and social services, as well as those in communities, is so important.

[]Pictured are participants enjoying the Arts Care NI Fleadh for All event supported by Arts Council NI.

The event hosts were represented by Jennifer Welsh, Chief Executive, Belfast Trust, who said, During a memorable week in which Fleadh Cheoil na hireann has come to Belfast, we are delighted to have the privilege of hosting this Fleadh for All Event. Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has long been committed to bringing the benefits of the arts into healthcare, social care, and community settings.

Our focus on delivering access to the arts for all is realised on a daily basis by our dedicated staff. At Belfast Trust, we believe that creativity has a powerful role to play in health and wellbeing. Through our Arts in Health programme, we see every day how music, dance and the visual arts can bring people together, lift spirits, create connections and support recovery and wellbeing.We are grateful for the partnership between Belfast Trust and the Arts Care NI Artist in Residence programme and delighted that today we are able to bring the joy and cultural richness of the Fleadh out to people to enjoy within Knockbracken Hall.

And by Barry Macaulay, Chief Executive Officer, Arts Care NI, who said, The Trad Concert and Tea dance is a great example of Arts Cares ambition to bring arts, culture and music to people who have significant difficulties in accessing such events. This is the culmination of a full week of activities under our Fleadh For All Programme l in care homes, hospitals and specialist care facilities.

The Arts Councils Strategic Vision is based on a society where all people can experience a thriving arts sector; one that is recognised as essential to creativity, wellbeing and social and economic prosperity. Events such as the Arts Care NI Fleadh for All, supported by public funding, help demonstrate the positive impact of the arts to policy makers, decision makers and people across Northern Ireland.

To find out more about the work of Arts Care NI visitArts-Care-Impact-Review-2023.pdf