MEMBERS of a performing arts trade union have signed a letter of no confidence over what they believe is a failure of Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to produce an arts policy and to call for an end to underinvestment in the arts across the North.
The protest place at Stormont on Tuesday morning, organised by performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity.
West Belfast theatre group Brassneck Thetare Company were amongst those in attendance.
Fionnuala Kennedy, Director of Brassneck, said: "The intrinsic value of the arts reaches into every part of our society. It is not a privilege – it is a human right.
Gordon Lyons speaks to protestors
"The continued lack of investment in the arts, coupled with the absence of a clear arts policy from the Minister puts hundreds of jobs at risk and increasingly removes access to the arts from those already facing the greatest barriers – particularly our working class communities.
"The North has the lowest level of investment in the arts across these islands. That has consequences. It means organisations struggling to survive, artists leaving the sector, opportunities disappearing and children and young people growing up with less access to creativity, culture and their own stories.
"Our communities deserve better. Our children deserve better.
"If we don’t get to tell our stories, who will? And how will they tell them?”
Alison McCrudden, Director, Brassneck Youth added: "Brassneck see the value of that investment every week.
"We have more than 160 children and young people coming through our doors. For many of them, the arts give them a place to belong, a place to be heard and an opportunity to imagine something beyond what might otherwise be available to them.
"When arts funding is cut, it is opportunities like these that disappear.”
Afterwards, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons stated: "I’m not one to run away from a debate.
"It was good to meet with protesters at Stormont today – even those calling for my head.
"I’ll continue to invest in the arts and bring forward the first ever Arts Policy for Northern Ireland."
