Belfast Cultural Development and Outreach Initiative

Overview

A wide range of partnership-based cultural projects will be eligible for support. Ideas include those to develop arts skills in sections of the community, those to record histories or explore aspects of the local heritage, those involving performances which will attract a local audience, or a combination of these or other ideas.

One of the main aims of each project should be to create a 'celebration' end event or showcase. This will allow the wider public and media to witness and benefit from the tangible impact of the project. For example, this could be an exhibition, a performance, a publication, or a piece of public art.

Intangible impacts are also very important to the success of the Initiative. These are listed in the 'Objectives of the Initiative' section and must be monitored and evaluated throughout the project.

Belfast City Council invites proposals for projects from collaborative partnerships whose beneficiaries either reside in the output areas or projects which have a disability focus.

• Output Areas: These represent Belfast wards included in the 50% most deprived wards in the Multiple Deprivation wards and ranks in Northern Ireland (Noble Multiple Deprivation Measure 2005) and the 50% most deprived Output Areas based on economic deprivation (Output Area Level Measure 2005). We welcome a combination of the areas.
• Disabilities: One of the aims of the Development and Outreach Initiative is to extend participation and access to culture and arts activity for those most marginalised in society. This Initiative also invites proposals whose beneficiaries are people with disabilities.

The aims and objectives of the Development and Outreach Initiative are as follows. Each proposed project will be assessed against how well it will achieve these aims and objectives.

• Creating tangible and intangible benefits.
• Tailored to the actual needs of the communities which it is targeting.
• Based on genuine partnership between experienced arts / heritage organisations and community based organisations.
• Widening access (physical, intellectual, financial) to cultural activity and promote equality of that access.
• Valuing diversity; using the arts as a component in building social cohesion; challenge prejudices and foster greater trust.
• Community empowerment and self-determination; embedding local control and supporting local commitment.
• Securing sustainability and longevity, and pursuing quality at all stages and levels of the project.
• Connecting with the mainstream; helping local marginalised activities to pursue links to other spheres; generating a greater audience for the arts.
• Bringing vitality to different parts of the City, and engaging people in constructive activity.
• Improving local image and identity, and helping improve the wider image of Belfast.
• Building personal development and developing individuals' self-confidence, skills development and employability.
• Encouraging imagination and vision; promoting health and wellbeing; and bringing enjoyment.

Your application can cover more than one type of activity. They may support the following elements of your budget: projects and events; education activities; activities for people to take part in; commissions and productions; marketing activities; professional development and training; core costs such as salaries; ongoing overheads (including overheads related to equipment or buildings, such as insurance and maintenance costs).

Example Grants 2008

• Beat Initiative (Lantern Parade) £16,000
• Belfast Exposed Community Photography £5,000
• Creative Media Partnerships @ Community Visual Images £10,000
• Creative Writers Network £15,000
• Flax Art Studios £9,500
• Golden Thread Gallery £14,500
• Linen Hall Library £15,500
• Queen's Film Theatre £15,500
• Streetwise Community Circus Workshops £12,000
• Tinderbox £15,500
• York Island Arts and Heritage Association £10,000
• Youth Action Northern Ireland £12,000

How to Apply

The application form gives us information about your organisation, what you are applying for, and your budget. Some areas of the form also give us important information for monitoring our grants. The summaries are a significant part of the application, and are an opportunity for you to describe your project in your own words. When you have completed your application, you should ensure that it is with the Tourism, Culture & Arts Unit before the deadline. More detailed instructions on how we require it to be delivered can be found at the end of the application form.