The Northern Ireland Executive is planning to make substantial cuts to government spending during budget period 2011-2015. The arts face a proposed cut of £4.2m. This represents a real terms 23% reduction in public funding for the arts across the region.
Whilst only representing 1% of total government expenditure DCAL has sustained one of the largest cuts of all government departments of more than 9% over the budget period 2011-2015; this equates to a loss of £14.5m in cash that is before inflation is taken into account.
The arts budget has been even disproportionately reduced; the Arts Council’s baseline is estimated to reduce from £13.96m in 2011/12 to £12.001m by 2014/15.
The public consultation on the draft budget opened on Wednesday 15th December and will continue until Wednesday 16th February 2011. If you wish to make a response to the consultation please write to Budget Consultation [email protected] and copy your submission to the following officials in DCAL: [email protected] [email protected]
The Arts Council will continue to vigorously challenge this unfair draft settlement for the arts and would urge arts organisations to make their case robustly and directly to the Assembly using the core advocacy messages contained on this website as appropriate to your organisation.