CABlog - where facts and opinion collide!

Welcome to CAblog - the online community arts discussion forum. In the lead up to the International Community Arts Conference in October, CAblog will serve as a forum where the themes and aims of the conference can be debated and discussed by community artists and activists from all over the world.

Community arts is all about having your say - so make sure your views get heard.

Why does Northern Ireland need the arts?

The arts make a positive contribution to all aspects of society in Northern Ireland. Give us your examples of how the arts have improved things for your community...

Posted 21/08/2007 @ 16 00 | Why does Northern Ireland need the Arts? | 4 Comments

Do or die for Northern Ireland's arts sector

Despite years of underinvestment central government plans to cut the arts budget by a further £800,000 by 2008 in a move that will do irreparable damage to Northern Ireland’s already beleaguered arts sector. In total government spending on the arts will have been slashed by 10.4 per cent between 2004 and 2008 if the proposed cuts go ahead.

Northern Ireland’s arts budget already lags far behind the UK and Republic of Ireland. Currently Northern Ireland invests a paltry £6.13 per person on the arts in stark comparison to England (£8.19); Wales (£8.80); Scotland (£11.93) and the Republic of Ireland (£12.61), all of which are enjoying annual increases in arts spend.

Posted 30/11/2006 @ 16 00 | Arts Funding Campaign | 23 Comments

Arts - Towards an inclusive society

Have your say on Arts - towards an inclusive society. What did you think of the conference themes, the speakers, workshops and panels? What worked well and what didn't? How should we build on the conference? What issues did it raise for you? We need your input!

Posted 12/09/2005 @ 15 00 | Arts - Towards an inclusive society | 17 Comments

When Conor met Antoni

Spain and Northern Ireland are renowned internationally for their murals. New Belfast Community Arts Initiative and Programa Pintamuro have a track record using the mural to address and challenge social and community issues, and encourage participation in art.

In the build up to the conference New Belfast's Conor Shields and Programa Pintamuro's Antoni Gabarre Gonzales talked about the fine art of the mural...

Many thanks to Leila Freedman who translated the exchange.

Posted 09/09/2005 @ 18 00 | The Writing's on the Wall | 19 Comments