Culture and arts

Belfast is a city with a rich heritage, offering a host of vibrant cultural and artistic experiences.

We recognise that culture makes a very valuable contribution to the life of our city and are working hard to place culture and arts firmly on the urban regeneration agenda for Belfast.

Cultural life makes an important contribution to the economy, offering employment opportunities and developing valuable skills. It also encourages the ever growing numbers of tourists to visit Belfast.

We currently support over 70 cultural organisations ranging from the internationally acclaimed Belfast Festival at Queen's through to smaller community-based projects. We annually invest over £1.5 million in their cultural programming, skills development and audience development.

Projects and news

Funding
We have a range of funding programmmes available including:
Community Festivals Fund
Development and Outreach Initiative
Rolling Programme

Draft Integrated Tourism Strategy
We are looking for feedback on our draft Integrated Tourism Strategy 2010 - 2014.

Heritage
Find out about Belfast's heritage and our heritage policy. And our arts and heritage training courses.

Integrated Cultural Strategy
Our strategy sets out a framework for 2007-10 to help create a joined-up approach to the development of Belfast's cultural sectors.

Belfast Heritage Forum
Our Heritage Forum is a network where organisations, with an interest in the city's heritage, can meet and exchange information.

Test Drive the Arts
Test Drive the Arts NI is a brand new initiative offering you the chance to get guest tickets to theatre, music, ballet and much more.

Public art projects
Find out about public art projects in Belfast including Brighter Belfast and the Re-Imaging Communities Project.

Festivals Forum
Find out about our Festivals Forum as well as our Festivals Calendar.

Contact us

Culture and Arts
Development Department
Cecil Ward Building
4-10 Linenhall Street
Belfast
BT2 8BP
Tel : 028 9091 8734
Email: culture@belfastcity.gov.uk