Groups and organisations that engage in “any activity disrespectful of any tradition” will jeopardise their Arts Council funding, DUP minister Gordon Lyons has signalled.
But the communities minister has been urged to ensure his words are “backed up with action” amid concern among both nationalists and unionists that public funds are being used to promote activities that could be deemed sectarian.
Mr Lyons made his remarks about the potential withdrawal of funding in a letter to Arts Council chair Liam Hannaway.
In February’s so-called Letter of Expectations, the minister sets out his “priorities”, which he says will all allow Mr Hannaway “to frame the work of the council to align with those priorities”.
In one section, the East Antrim MLA highlights his desire that those in receipt of Arts Council funds do not indulge in “disrespectful” behaviour.
“To ensure maximum accessibility and inclusion, I expect the council in the terms and conditions of its funding programmes to ensure that any activity disrespectful of any tradition, in locations or by groups receiving council funding, results in specific and substantive action as regards funding,” he wrote.
In recent weeks, concerns have been raised about grants for bands that have taken part in parades commemorating UVF members, while some unionists have serially raised objections about funding for Féile an Phobail, which has previously featured sell-out concerts by the Wolfe Tones.
In the Assembly on Monday, Mr Lyons criticised the rap trio Kneecap claiming their actions amounted to the “glorification of terrorism” and went well beyond artistic licence.
However, in reply to a question, he confirmed that neither his department nor any of its arm’s length bodies had provided funding to the Irish language group since 2017.
In relation to the minister’s February letter, the Department for Communities said the Arts Council would be responsible for “investigating any allegations or evidence of provisions not being complied with”.
Alliance communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland said her party welcomed “any moves to ensure that public monies are directed to activities and projects that promote understanding and celebration of culture in safe and inclusive ways”.
“Whilst freedom of creative expression is central to any democratic society, we are long past the time when celebration of culture should involve any sectarian, racist or derogatory overtures,” she said.
“As such, we welcome the minister’s commitment to ensuring funded activity is not disrespectful of any community in Northern Ireland.”
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said groups in receipt of arts council funding were often seen “flouting these principles with no consequences whatsoever”.
“These comments from the minister must be backed up with action,” he said.
“We need to see an end to arts funding being doled out along tribal lines, while projects who make a real difference in their local communities miss out as funding pots wither.”
Irish News columnist Brian Feeney, who last week called for loyalist bands who play offensive tunes to be penalised, said Mr Lyons had set out “clear expectations” but failed to act against “flagrant sectarian behaviours”.
“Why did he not follow up on this injunction when the Arts Council did not comply with his requirements?” he said.
“Instead they gave full funding to bands engaged in flagrant sectarian behaviours.”
