Arts and Heritage Funding Celebrated at Queen’s Hall Event

Over 100 guests gathered at the Queen’s Hall, Newtownards on Tuesday 20 May to celebrate the positive impact of Arts and Heritage funding in the Ards and North Down Borough. The event, hosted by Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Arts and Heritage team, recognised the remarkable achievements of individuals and groups supported through the Arts and Heritage Grant Programmes since 2022.

With a budget of just over £123,000, the Council has awarded 146 grants and bursaries over the past three years, across a range of strands - including Youth Arts Training Grants, Individual Artist Funding, Multi-Annual Funding, Bursaries and both Arts and Heritage Project Funds. These awards have supported local artists, performers, community groups, and heritage initiatives, fostering creativity, strengthening community pride and promoting culture throughout the Borough.

Attendees included the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, elected members, artists, performers, youth participants, charitable organisations and local arts and heritage groups. The evening featured a variety of live presentations and performances, highlighting the diversity and depth of talent that these grants have helped nurture.

The Mayor welcomed guests, stating: “We are here tonight to explore the impact of the grants awarded over the last three years and to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the individuals and organisations involved. We are incredibly proud of the creativity, passion, and vision that these projects have brought to life across our Borough.”

Among the many memorable moments of the evening were performances from Maya McKnight ("I Dreamed a Dream," Les Misérables), Harry Douglas (Debussy’s Syrinx and Gossec’s Tambourin) and an excerpt from Daisy Pulls It Off performed by Eva McAleer and Emily McCracken from Bangor Academy. There were also presentations from recipients such as Boom! Studios, Bangor Speech Festival and Donaghadee Community Development Association.

The event was widely praised by attendees:
“It was a hugely diverse celebration of a massive amount of arts and culture in the Borough. The Council should rightly be proud of how much support it offers.” said Adrian Dorrian, Bangor Speech Festival.

“It was a great evening and a very worthwhile event to showcase the spectrum of work supported by Council.” added Nikki Dorrian, Head of Community and Culture, Ards and North Down Borough Council.

“A fitting celebration of the talent, vision, and hard work of our creative community.” said Amy McKelvey, Community Arts Development Officer, Ards and North Down Borough Council.

For more information on the Council’s Arts and Heritage funding opportunities, visit our FUNDING SECTION

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