IT is with despair, sadness and shame that I learn that our assembly has plans to cut the budget for the arts. Despair and sadness that after all this time of the arts proving their worth and positive contribution that the assembly has chosen to devalue the arts by imposing cuts in a traditionally underfunded sector.
I am of that older generation who remembers the arts having little impact or presence for the majority of people, whereas today the arts have made great strides to be inclusive, accessible and enjoyed by everyone. Arts organisations reach out to ensure this but today this work is in jeopardy.
Shame that the assembly perpetuates a funding situation where many arts group and arts activities would disappear if it were not for funds derived through gambling via the Lottery and drink through sponsorship. Northern Ireland per head of population lags well behind the UK and Ireland when it comes to public funding of the arts.
The arts receive the tiniest fraction of the overall government budget in Northern Ireland. Cutting this tiny budget even more has greater impact.
I would appeal to MLAs to not only reinstate the previous level of funding but to consider ways in which funding for the arts can be enhanced.
DAVID HYNDMAN
Belfast BT1
