Community Festivals Fund 2020/21 & Arts Grants update

March 19, 2020

COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) UPDATE

Following a special meeting of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council on 18 March 2020, it was decided, with cross-party support that the council will close its facilities to the public, with immediate effect.

ISLAND Arts Centre is now closed.

All workshops, exhibitions, events and performances will cease from Thursday 19 March 2020, for the foreseeable future.

Given we are all part of an evolving situation with new guidance being issued on a daily basis, the council has made this decision for the health and wellbeing of all of its audiences, community and voluntary groups, artists, performers and staff to play its part in stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

All council Arts Service Funding Schemes, including the Community Festivals Fund that is currently receiving applications, Arts Grants (Individual and Organisations) and MAC (Making Art In Communities) are now frozen, until further notice.

This is in direct response to the government’s guidelines in relation to large gatherings and social distancing to ensure the utmost safety and wellbeing of all communities within the Lisburn and Castlereagh area the details of which can be found here.

Any updates to this status will be sent to you through this forum and our social media. We would therefore be very grateful if you would please make sure your account details are up to date, so that we can properly communicate with you.

In the meantime, stay safe, look after yourself and one another.

Your ISLAND Arts Service Team

“Keep your face towards the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you” - Walt Whitman

For further information and advice, please contact:
Lesley Wilson
Community Arts Officer
T: 028 92 447512
E: lesley.wilson@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk