Arts Organisations Boosted By Bank of Ireland

 

A number of arts organisations across the island of Ireland are getting a welcome boost in 2024 with funding from Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together Arts Fund, delivered in partnership with Business to Arts, with local support from Arts & Business NI.

Eight organisations are set to benefit from the fourth round of Begin Together Arts Fund, which has allocated more than £890,000 funding to support 100 artists and arts projects in communities across the island of Ireland since 2020.

Two grants have been provided to organisations in Northern Ireland, with this round of the Begin Together Arts Fund supporting projects which inspire and uplift local communities, with a focus on helping arts organisations working with marginalised and vulnerable groups.

Recipient organisations will receive up to £11,000 to support programmes across the arts that increase inclusion and break down barriers to arts participation.

William Thompson, Head of Consumer Banking NI, Bank of Ireland UK said:

“The Begin Together Fund recognises the important social and economic contribution of the arts and culture sector and its role in connecting and strengthening communities.

“Since the fund began in 2020, Begin Together has provided financial support to a broad range of artists and arts organisations.  We are pleased that this round of funding will help increase participation in the arts and ensure  as many people as possible have the opportunity to explore their creativity.

“We wish the organisations and artists well, as their projects come to life in the months ahead”.

Louise O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Business to Arts said

“It is an honour to work with such a committed partner as Bank of Ireland on this seminal arts fund.  It supports and highlights the work of a range of leading arts resource organisations serving diverse audiences in an inclusive way and ensuring a distributed impact across the artists and the communities they serve.”

Begin Together is a key part of Bank of Ireland’s support for building an inclusive and resilient society which will thrive in the challenges of today and into the future. For further information on the Begin Together programme visit:  http://www.bankofireland.com/begintogether