The Forum for Local Government and the Arts was originally established in November 1994 it has been recently reconstituted, has a renewed sense of direction and wishes to position itself strategically as an effective advocate for developing the arts in Northern Ireland. The Forum has the primary intention of formalising the mechanisms and working arrangements through which the Arts Council of Northern Ireland would consult district councils and engender a stronger sense of partnership working. The Forum meets in plenary session three times a year.

25 district councils in Northern Ireland each have three representatives on the Forum; one elected councillor, one officer and one representative from the voluntary and community sector. The Executive Committee is chaired by Mr Charlie Smyth, Newry and Mourne District Council, and is responsible for providing direction and co-ordinating the activities of the Forum.

A recent review of the FLGA identified the need for it to strengthen engagement with the district councils. Consequently, the FLGA will now take on a greater role as a co-ordinating and lobbying organisation, ensuring that arts are a prominent feature in local politics. It will play increasingly instrumental roles in raising awareness of the value of the arts and developing arts provision at local community level, by building partnerships between local councillors, council officers and arts representatives.

This strengthening of engagement with local government is particularly significant in light of the Government’s recent announcements which signalled major changes to the future of public administration in Northern Ireland.

The partnership agreement between the FLGA and NILGA is part of NILGA's continued commitment to increase its policy capacity. For further policy information please click here.

The FLGA recently appointed an Arts Policy Support Officer to co-ordinate its programme of activities and therefore optimising delivery of its strategy to promote effective partnerships for the development of the arts.

For further information please contact:

Emma Hegarty
FLGA Arts Policy Officer
123 York Street, Belfast, BT15 1AB
Ph: 028 9024 9286     Email: e.hegarty@nilga.org