Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): The Minister for Communities to detail any steps he is taking to help support galleries and museums.
Minister for Communities: My Department supports galleries and museums through funding, sponsorship and strategic oversight of key organisations.
The Arts Council NI supports galleries through its funding programmes and also supports organisations which have gallery space open to the public.
The Northern Ireland Museums Council (NIMC) supports the independent museums sector through accreditation, grant assistance, training, sector development, advocacy and professional guidance. Funding from my Department also supports NIMC small capital grants programmes, helping museums improve facilities, care for collections, develop exhibitions and expand digital access.
Funding is provided directly to National Museums NI and Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, as Arm’s Length Bodies of my Department, to carry out their statutory functions.
Annual resource funding is also provided to The Linen Hall is to assist with their core operating costs.
As part of the Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme I am taking forward the development of a new Museums Policy for Northern Ireland. Following a recent public consultation, officials are considering the responses received, which will inform the final policy.
The new policy will provide a strategic framework to support the sector’s future development and sustainability, recognising the valuable contribution museums make to our culture, communities and economy.
ENDS
