To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the work he is carrying out to support the arts in rural areas.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland are the main distributor for funding for the arts on behalf of the Department and have delivered a specific funding programme targeting arts engagement in rural areas. The National Lottery Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP) has operated for two years: 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Its purpose is to provide an integrated, cohesive approach to the needs of local rural communities while recognising some specific issues they face. The primary theme of REAP is combating isolation and loneliness and promoting social inclusion. To date 133 awards, totalling £890,080, have been made through this programme. It is anticipated that REAP will run in 2024/25 however dates are to be confirmed.

In addition to the dedicated programme above, the Arts Council run other funding programmes to which organisations in rural areas are eligible to apply. Further to this, a number of Annually Funded and National Lottery Project funded clients will undertake outreach work in rural areas.

The Department’s Community Festivals Fund, delivered in partnership with local councils, supports Culture-based festivals, many of which take place within rural areas across Northern Ireland.