Gary Lightbody says arts funding in Northern Ireland is ‘terrible’

Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody said the arts funding situation was “pretty grim”.

Lightbody met with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen Northern Ireland’s arts sector.

He previously told BBC News NI Stormont is ‘short-sighted’ on public funding of arts.

“This is a very difficult time for the arts community,” Lyons told BBC News.

Lightbody told BBC News NI that he believed it was “his responsibility to represent artists and musicians”.

He acknowledged that “in any society there are priorities higher than the arts,” but that “art brings us so much joy that we need to consider that.”

He said Northern Ireland’s operating budget was “meager” compared with the Republic of Ireland’s annual arts budget.

The Irish government is introducing a minimum basic income in 2022 for around 2,000 artists, musicians and performers.

“We’re a little behind,” he added.

The Bangor-born man said he wanted to see “more funding and more initiatives for young people”.

“The next generation of artists in Northern Ireland is so important because our budgets are limited and many potential artists will be missed.

“This is a huge tragedy,” he added.

Lyons told BBC News Northern Ireland he was here to “hear the voices of people in the arts community across Northern Ireland”.

The minister added that he wanted to “hear their solutions on how to strengthen the sector” and what steps the government can take to “deliver the change we all need to see”.

He also heard about “the impact of art on wider society”.

“We know that investment in the arts really helps improve the health, education and economy of our people. That’s why I’m here today to listen,” he added.

“It was a very positive meeting. It was really positive to hear all the perspectives today,” Lyons said.

He hopes the takeaway from the meeting will allow him to “report to senior management and make the case for additional funding.”

“Not just an extra grant or a surcharge or some fluff, but a real investment in our people that will deliver a positive financial return.”

Also in attendance were representatives from the Arts Council and Lyric Theatre.

Lyric Theater executive producer Jimmy Fahey highlighted career opportunities in the arts industry.

“It’s a great career – a very rewarding, imaginative career. Investment in the arts ultimately pays off.”

He added: “I think the minister listened to the concerns of those in attendance. He seemed very keen to change the cycle of underinvestment in the arts.”

Arts Council Northern Ireland chief executive Roisin McDonald said: “This was a very constructive meeting.”

She added that Gordon Lyons “listened carefully and said he had our backs”.

“He understands the pressures the industry faces and has pledged to act as a champion for the arts in executive meetings,” she said.

“I think he really has a deep understanding and appreciation of the value and impact that art brings to our community,” she added.

According to figures released by Arts Council Northern Ireland (ACNI) in early 2024, Wales spends twice as much on the arts per head as Northern Ireland.

According to ACNI figures, per capita arts funding expenditure in Northern Ireland was £5.07 in 2023/24, compared with £10.51 in Wales and £21.58 in the Republic of Ireland.

In June, the Department for Communities (DfC) – the executive arm responsible for arts funding – Acknowledging that ACNI’s funding “has decreased by 30% in real terms over the past decade”.