Rosemary Kelly, Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland contributed to promoting the growth of Creative Communities though the Arts, at the Forum for Local Government and the Arts (FLGA) annual conference. Held in the Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena (4 November), the role of the arts and creative industries in building sustainable, mixed communities across various local government areas of the UK, including delivery and evaluation of impact, was examined. This was also a valuable opportunity for elected members, arts officers and activists to address key issues for the sector.
In her welcoming address, Rosemary Kelly, Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, described the need for continuing partnership work with local councils, referring also to the location, saying, “I am pleased to support the FLGA annual conference in this wonderful arts venue. Funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, £2 million has been invested in this centre’s new art facilities. Here we see the conservation-led refurbishment of the Town Hall and its beautiful auditorium as well as the creation of a brand new Museum and Arts Centre, enhanced with four new integrated art commissions, by a range of professional artists. This investment in arts infrastructure is an excellent illustration of why partnership working is vital for the arts and local government, not only placing art at the heart of local communities, but also making a huge contribution to the social and financial economy of Northern Ireland.
She continued, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has, for many years, worked closely with local government on programmes such as Re-imaging Communities and the Art of Regeneration, bringing huge benefits to the local population. It is imperative that we build on this work under the new local government structures, from the Review of Public Administration, and secure a prominent role for the arts in the statutory community planning process and Local Area Agreements.
She concluded “Although the changes will not take place until 2011, we need to ensure these processes occur as seamlessly as possible, sustaining a sound working relationship with local government and promoting a clear understanding of our respective and complementary roles in fostering arts development.”
Other speakers offered insights into public art in Wales, research on arts participation in Peterborough and the contribution of arts in community development locally. There were also presentations on engaging communities through the arts, offering insight into the Artist’s expertise when working with, empowering and improving the social skills of the community through the creative process.