The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has released another statement on the crucial issue of arts funding. It comes after it presented the case for increased funding for the arts in Northern Ireland to a group of parliamentarians in the House of Commons last week. In its statement, the Arts Council described how it met at the House of Commons with the Performing Arts Alliance Group (PAAG) who investigate issues that affect people working in the entertainment industry, and engage with MPs and Peers from all parties in an attempt to solve them. Rosemary Kelly, Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said the meeting was “helpful and constructive”, and reflected a growing appreciation of the contribution the arts can and are making to the re-generation of Northern Ireland’s economy and society. Rosemary Kelly and Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, spoke of the disparity of financial support for arts and culture in Northern Ireland, compared with other parts of UK and Ireland. The PAAG “pledged to put the case for more realistic investment in the arts in Northern Ireland to influential MPs including the Northern Ireland politicians”. The Arts Council has also been invited to meet with the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee to discuss further the situation. For more information, CLICK HERE