Northern Ireland has revealed that it’s not only feeling the pinch in arts funding, but it has sought expert opinion in planning for the future of the performing arts. A recent announcement from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland describes how they have commissioned Scottish Cultural Enterprise to help develop a new drama strategy for the period up to 2011. Scottish Cultural Enterprise is a Glasgow-based cultural consultancy company with a strong track record of this type of work, including a similar piece of work on behalf of the Scottish Arts Council. The strategy work includes an online survey where they are calling for members of the public and arts professionals to offer their opinions on the future of drama in Northern Ireland. This drama survey and collaboration with Scottish Cultural Enterprise comes at a time when the Arts Council in Northern Ireland has had its funding frozen for the third year in a row by the government, and is suffering a decline in Lottery income. It doesn’t paint a rosy picture, when other arts organisations like Belfast Festival at Queen’s are struggling for funding, and their very existence. Although they describe it as the “bleakest year in a decade” the Arts Council has funded 73 arts groups across Northern Ireland in the latest round of annual funding for arts organisations. Over £7.7 million was handed out, with the largest grant of almost £2 million going to the Ulster Orchestra Society, £600,000 going to Lyric Players Theatre, almost half a million going to the Grand Opera House Trust and over £200,000 going to the Old Museum Arts Centre. Included in the grants was £69,500 for the struggling Belfast at Queens Festival. Rosemary Kelly, who is Chairman of the Arts Council, expressed her “serious concern” about the low levels of government funding for the arts in the Northern Ireland in January, when she launched the Arts Council’s plan for the next five years. She requested that government raise the per capita spend on the arts from £6 to £10, an increase of approximately £20m until 2011. Supporters of the arts in Northern Ireland argue that increased investment is vital if artistic talent and creativity is to be nurtured in Northern Ireland. Funding for 2008-2001 will be decided later this year by the Comprehensive Spending Review. Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council, believes that the Arts Council has a strong case: “Our submission for additional arts funding highlights the great contribution made by our artists and organisations to our social, economic and creative life, and the huge benefits which would result from a relatively modest increase in funding. The success of our bid will mean a ‘make-or-break’ difference to our artists and arts organisations.” The Arts Council have said that they will continue to campaign for additional support from government. The arts sector will also be lobbying under the banner, "Invest in Inspiration". For more information, CLICK HERE