24/02/2009
Arts funding review - the clock's ticking!
The Northern Ireland Assembly is currently conducting an inquiry into arts funding in Northern Ireland. The inquiry will address a number of key issues including the per capita arts spend and whether current arts funding takes into account targeting social need and engaging communities.

With the current economic climate it's crucial that community arts organisations and all those interested in the future of the arts make the case for sustained and increase funding.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has added full details of inquiry to their website. The information includes the inquiry terms of reference (the items they specifically want to investigate), the format for submitting responses.

For full details see www.artscouncil-ni.org/news/2009/new19022009.html

Deadline for submissions: Friday 27 February 2009

24/02/2009
CAF announces series of free seminars and workshops
Throughout March CAF will hold a number of free seminars and workshops looking at both the history of community arts in Northern Ireland and funding strategies for community arts groups and organisations.

Workshop: Full Cost Recovery
When: Monday 9th March
Time: 10am - 12.30pm
Where: Community Arts Forum, 15 Church Street, Belfast, BT1 1PG.
More info: http://www.caf.ie/events.asp?id=950

Lunchtime seminar: Arts as a Form of Protest
When: Thursday 12th March
Time: 1.10 – 2.00pm
Where: Ulster Hall Group Space
More info: http://www.transbelfast.com/trans08/gigs.php?i=176

Lunchtime seminar: History of Community Theatre in Belfast
When: Thursday 26th March
Time: 1.10 – 2.00pm
Where: Ulster Hall Group Space

Workshop: Introduction to Financial Sustainability
When: Monday 30th March
Time: 10am - 12.30pm
Where: Community Arts Forum, 15 Church Street, Belfast, BT1 1PG.
More info: http://www.caf.ie/view_events.asp?ID=949


If you wish to attend, please contact Heather Floyd at hfloyd@caf.ie or 028 9024 2910

24/02/2009
Holi - Festival of Colours
ArtsEkta is celebrating the coming of Spring by bringing Holi – Festival of Colours to Belfast. This unique and vibrant festival will fill St. George’s Market with literal explosions of colour as festival goers are invited to throw colorful powders (gulaal) in a party atmosphere among friends.

The event will also feature foods from around the world, Bollywood and Bangra dancing, local cultural performances and street entertainment.


St. Georges Market 2pm to 6pm
Date: 15th March 2009
Admission is FREE

For more information visit www.artsekta.org.uk, phone Artsekta on 028 9023 1381 or email us info@artsekta.org.uk

24/02/2009
Belfast celebrates third annual Polish Cultural Week
Polish Cultural Week is returning to Belfast for the third time as a part of the ‘Polska!Year’, with a range of events to share Polish culture, arts, heritage and language.

The aim of the Polish Cultural Week is to promote Polish culture, to develop a sense of identity among the members of the Polish community in Northern Ireland and to create effective partnerships to ensure a sustainable cultural activity.

Belfast joins cities across the UK with exhibitions, concerts, workshops and film screenings in venues citywide. Details of the programme will be announced during the media launch on the 27th March 2009.

The Polish Cultural Week celebrations provide an excellent opportunity to encourage dialogue and to communicate the benefits of cultural diversity. Therefore we would like to reach out to people from different traditions and backgrounds via business, arts, community and voluntary organizations across Northern Ireland.

Should you be interested in organizing or supporting an event during the Polish Cultural Week please do not hesitate to contact me on 02893364400 or eva@connectni.co.uk.

19/02/2009
Greater New Lodge Respect Programme 2009
The Greater New Lodge CEP with member groups and partners are organising The Respect Programme, a special series of events focussing on a wide range of important social issues. The programme will run from throughout the month of March.

In organising the Respect Programme the CEP seeks to encourage open debate, raise awareness and widen horizons on issues that are important both within this community and throughout wider society. The ultimate intention is to positively contribute to the development of a culture of respect where all individuals are treated as equals and can live, work and socialise together in harmony.

Events include the launch of several youth and community arts projects including the Respecting Diversity Cross Community Murals Project, Waterworks Big Art Schools Project and Life Journey Art Project. The programme will launch at 10.30am Wednesday 25th February at 174 Trust.

For full programme and further information on any event contact:
Greater New Lodge Community Empowerment Partnership
CEP Office, Ashton Centre,
5 Churchill Street, Belfast, BT15 2BP

Tel: 90 200 900 / 90 742 255
Email: leo@newlodgecep.org

The CEP is funded by the North Belfast Community Action Unit

For more news visit http://www.caf.ie/latest_news.asp

24/2/2009
Belfast Book Festival

24th February – 1 March 2009. Booker Prize winner John Banville set to open the first Belfast Book Festival.

The Belfast Book Festival programme is available at read more

6/3/2009
Relaunch of the DIY Committee Guide

The DIY Committee Guide website provides a central point of access to a wide range of practical, user-friendly resources has now been restructured to provide directional support for organisations working to imp...read more

8/3/2009
FREE percussion workshop - Ulster Hall, Belfast

International percussion sensation Noise Ensemble will make their Irish début on Sunday the 8th of March at the Ulster Hall. Noise Ensemble blend epic beats and a soaring score by acclaimed British composer Eth...read more

9/3/2009
FREE Full cost recovery workshop - Belfast

Full Cost Recovery has become an important aspect of long term sustainabaility for community groups and organsiations and more and more funders are open to full cost recovery applications.

However it is a co...read more

11/3/2009
Arts policy forum - get to know the assembly

The next NICVA Voluntary and Community Arts Forum event will be held on 11 March. The Forum group is open to anyone in the art interested in finding out more about arts policy.

In March will be holding a NI...read more

21/3/2009
Arts practitioners development/support group - taster session

Information/taster session on Saturday 21st March 10.00-1pm, at CAF, Belfast

This is a personal and Professional development group for arts practitioners engaged in social change. The session is for arts pr...read more

25/3/2009
An A to Z of fundraising ideas - NICVA

Fundraising is even more important in recent times because of the economic climate. It is more important than ever for organisations and groups to fundraise to bolster their income.

This training session pro...read more

1/5/2009
6th Annual Mid Ulster Film Festival

The 6th Mid Ulster Film Festival, 1st - 3rd May 2009, is moving to a larger venue - The Ulster History Park, Gortin Road, Omagh.

Launched in 2004, the Mid-Ulster Film Festival is a yearly tribute to cinema...read more

29/11/2009
Short Films Movie Night` presented by Young Arts and Flowerfield Arts

Larne Young Arts Co-operative are running a series of open days / evenings in Larne starting on Saturday 29th November, with dance/drama workshops. The open day workshops will be open to young people aged 14-18...read more

For more events visit www.caf.ie/events.asp

Closing date:27/02/2009
Per Cent for Art Commission - Tyrone

Closing date:02/03/2009
Call for volunteers - Belfast Film Festival

Closing date:03/03/2009
Clore Leadership Programme – 2009/10 Fellowships.

Closing date:13/03/2009
Call for artists - Dungannon Borough Council

Closing date:13/03/2009
Call for expressions of interest from Arts Facilitators - Millennium Forum

Closing date:10/04/2009
Mid Ulster Film Festival - Call for entries

Closing date:13/10/2009
Call for visual artists to exhibit - Grand Opera House

For more jobs visit www.caf.ie/jobs.asp

Closing date:27/02/2009
Ards Community Arts Development - Ards Borough Council

Closing date:27/02/2009
Sean Hollywood Bursary Programme - Newry and Mourne District Council -

Closing date:27/02/2009
DCAL Events Funds - Department of Culture Arts and Leisure

Closing date:27/02/2009
Idlewild Trust Grants - Idlewild Trust

Closing date:02/03/2009
Creative & Cultural Skills Leadership Programme deadline - Arts & Business -

Closing date:02/03/2009
Clore Leadership Programme - Clore Duffield Foundation

Closing date:06/03/2009
Millennium Awards - UnLtd

Closing date:06/03/2009
Relaunch of the DIY Committee Guide -

Closing date:09/03/2009
FREE Full cost recovery workshop - Belfast -

Closing date:09/03/2009
Community Development Project Grant 2009 - Belfast City Council

For more funding information visit www.caf.ie/funding.asp

Date:02/03/2009
Creative & Cultural Skills Leadership Programme deadline - Arts & Business

Date:09/03/2009
FREE Full cost recovery workshop - Belfast

Date:12/03/2009
Understanding the budget process - NICVA Training

Date:13/03/2009
Making it 09 - Craft NI start up programme application deadline

Date:14/03/2009
Stilt Walking and Circus Skills with Streetwise Community Circus

Date:19/03/2009
Introduction to Individual Giving - Arts & Business

Date:25/03/2009
An A to Z of fundraising ideas - NICVA

For more training visit www.caf.ie/training_courses.asp