Artists 'let down and left behind' as funding reaches 'crisis point'

Representatives from the arts sector said they feel "let down and left behind", warning that arts funding has "reached a crisis point".

Members of a performing arts trade union have signed a letter of no confidence over what they believe is a "failure" of Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to produce an arts policy and the under investments in the arts across Northern Ireland.

Actor, writer and comedian Alan McKee was one of those who signed the letter and said "we have no confidence at the moment in how the minister is doing his job".

The communities minister said the executive is in "a really tight challenging financial environment".

Lyons also said his department has "come really far" on developing an arts policy and are "making good progress".

The trade union Equity NI said Northern Ireland receives the lowest per capita investment of any nation in the UK.

"We're lagging well behind the other nations and regions," McKee said.

Northern Ireland receives £5.07 per person, per capita, according to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI).

This contrasts to the £10.51 per person in Wales, and also with Scotland which is roughly double the per capital investment of Northern Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland is up to five times higher than Northern Ireland. It is £21.58 to £25.90 per capita.

"There's a massive gap there in terms of what the experts in the field [and] the arts council are suggesting," McKee said, "and what is coming from the department of communities."

He claimed that government spending on arts is around one percent.

"The arts makes a contribution to very many areas of people's lives. It makes a contribution in terms of education, in terms of health , in terms of economic growth, we have an impact on tourism," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster.

"We punch very much above our weight in Northern Ireland... The arts is an economic driver."

McKee said the Arts Council had come up with a 10-year plan and claimed the minister chose not to sign off on it.

"We feel that the minister is really dragging his feet on this issue of an arts policy."

"The difference an arts policy would make is that it would provide leadership and strategic direction and let us see the sustainable investment that there could be in the arts."

Actor Don Wycherley said that if any government does not support artists, this is "awful really" and a "travesty".

"Arts reflect a nation, it reflects you as a society," he said.

"It's very important in here, in Ireland, we are a nation of artists. It's what we're good at, we've great actors, great writers, great artists and they need to be supported and encouraged."

Actress Roisin Gallagher said Lyons is "not doing his job".

"We're here to show the assembly that we are no longer surviving as a sector," she said.

"It's affecting the artists, it's affecting professional practice," she said, adding it's affecting communities and the people who avail from the arts.

Marina Hampton, Northern Ireland Councillor to Equity NI, said she was glad the minister came out but said they have met with him before and he has made promises.

"It'll just be that thing that will never happen, it'll just keep going. We actually just want a workable arts policy in place, that's all we're asking for," she said.

"'Cause he's not taking the arts seriously. You can say whatever you like, but we want to see action , we want to see it really happening"

Addressing the minister, she likened the arts to a starving child.

"We're getting half of what we actually need to survive," she said.

"It's like starving a child that if they don't get exactly what they need, they're going to die even if they're only getting half. It's not enough."

Lyons said since he became communities minister he has "increased arts funding" but knows that it "doesn't go as far as some people would like".

"However, I'm doing what I can with what I have."

Earlier on Tuesday, Lyons met Equity members protesting outside Stormont's parliament buildings. He said he was on the same page as the protesters in terms of the arts policy and funding.

Lyons said he would like the policy to be in place by either January or February 2027 but added some things are outside his control.

He said it was wrong to say there has been no work that has been taking place.

"I hope that you understand I didn't have to come down here today either, not many ministers come down to meet with people who are protesting them and calling for their resignation," he said.

"But I'm here because I am listening and I want to work with you to make sure we actually support the arts".

He said while he has had to make difficult choices, he has protected the arts funding.

"I will do everything in my power," he said.

"That is my commitment to make sure that that policy is in place and I want to make sure that we have the funding."

The Chair of the Communities Committee, Colm Gildernew, said Lyons "is failing" the sector.

"The arts sector contributes greatly to our society with the Fleadh in Belfast a perfect example of the positivity and inclusivity it creates," the Sinn Féin MLA said.

"The DUP minister must listen to these organisations, work with them and deliver real progress."