press release

Supporters of Northern Visions today began campaigning to ensure that core funds are reinstated to enable Belfast’s only open access community media and arts centre to continue to be a vital resource for Northern Ireland. The organisation learned last week that it did not fit with the remits of two of the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure’s arms length bodies, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen for core funding.

Core funding for the centre, which was established in 1986 and is situated in Cathedral Quarter, the city’s cultural quarter, was previously received from both bodies. Effectively, it has been told by ACNI and Northern Ireland Screen, that it is neither a film nor an arts organisation.

Northern Visions is the only community digital media and arts resource of its kind in Northern Ireland and has pioneered arts and digital media initiatives with hundreds of groups in the community, many of them in our poorest neighbourhoods.

Without core funding Northern Visions will close.

Supporters commented:

"Northern Visions were instrumental in the cultural development of Cathedral Quarter of Belfast from the first day until now. They are the community interface to the creative industries. A precious resource for the city and for Northern Ireland”. Cathedral Quarter Trust

“I find it incredible that an organisation, which has done so much to promote and enhance the work of artists, writers, poets, dramatists and musicians from the internationally acclaimed to the tiniest local community arts group, is not supported with core funds by either the Arts Council of Northern Ireland or Northern Ireland Screen. I would suggest it is imperative that both funding bodies sit down together and write an inclusive policy for arts and filmmaking in the community". Martin Lynch, Playwright & Author

"So much talk about the isolation and loneliness of older people and here is a group which has been working with older people for years, bringing us together through volunteering. We have learnt and created so much in our programme series Our Parlour and given pleasure to those who watch it. Northern Visions is our Aladdin's Cave of digital media resources, training, and creativity". Mary Ann Quigley, Older People's Forum.

"One of the first, and best, media arts organisations to train and support people with disabilities of all ages to be creative in the arts, through film" Kate Ingram, Director, Open Arts

“I gcónaí ann do phobal na Gaeilge agus iad mar eiseamlair den chur chuige 'Na habair é, déan é'. Is mearbhallach go hiomlán é gan doimhneacht agus nádúr fadréimseach a mbuanna a luachú agus a aithint." Séamus Mac Seáin, Founder member of Bunscoil Phobail Feirste, Coláiste Feirste and Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich. ("Always there for the Irish speaking community and the essence of the don't just talk about it, do it ideology. Not to value and recognise the depth, expanse and far reaching nature of their achievements is mind boggling").

"Substance not sensationalism. They were the group of choice for those of us injured in the Troubles to work on projects which tell our stories and debate the outstanding issues which remain from the legacy of conflict in Northern Ireland". WAVE Trauma Centre

Northern Visions produced a spectacular video capturing one of my best 5-day gigs in Belfast that has really stood the test of time. The costs of producing work like this are normally prohibitive but their sheer commitment, professionalism and creative skills made it possible. I salute them.... a one of a kind organisation. Duke Special

"Imaginative, thoughtful and inclusive. From the award winning multicultural project, Shpresa's Birthday Party with children and young people to the Sharing Space documentaries to the heritage archive of the Indian community in Belfast... this is an organisation that delivers for everyone". Nisha Tandon, Director, ArtsEkta

Northern Visions creates the most important record of local culture and community activity anywhere in Ireland. It is inconceivable that they would be starved of funding and that we would lose the opportunity to gain this unique and invaluable insight into the communities and culture that make Belfast so strong. Northern Visions has done more to document the work of the Circus School than all other media put together and they have done it in a way, which captures the passion and commitment of our members. Will Chamberlain, Director, Belfast Community Circus School.

“We all recognise the impact of the Internet and the fact that people can watch from all around the world. I can think of few organisations, which have such an inclusive platform for under-represented communities to have a presence on the web, portraying Northern Ireland in all its richness and diversity. This is the added value that Northern Visions has brought to all communities”. Alfred Abolarin, Manager, African Caribbean Support Organisation, Northern Ireland.

“Northern Visions involves over 125 volunteers and has achieved Investing in Volunteers accreditation. It has also been instrumental in developing a series of older persons programmes involving older volunteers from groups and forums across Belfast. This has provided a voice for older people enabling them to make links with older people and organisations across Belfast. The opportunities that it provides for volunteers and for older people will be lost if the organisation closes” Frank Johnston, Volunteer Now

"They value community development, from the smallest of groups to the large organisations. They come to our events time after time to showcase our work. A great community archive resource". Upper Springfield Development Trust.

The Ireland North Freelance Branch of BECTU calls on OFMDFM and DCAL to reinstate core funding for Northern Visions. The benefit Northern Visions brings to the local film and television industry and to community arts, culture, education and capacity building has been evident for many years. For the government to allow such a valuable home-grown resource to collapse would be both tragic and a dereliction of duty. Local branch of BECTU – the Film, TV & Entertainment Union, made the statement at its AGM on 26/2/2012

Alban Maginnis, MLA for North Belfast has lodged a priority written question to the Minister for Culture, Arts & Leisure, on what plans she has to provide alternative core funding to the organisation.

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Notes to Editors

Northern Visions is a non-profit organisation originally formed in 1986.

Over 100 groups each year benefit from Northern Visions services within the voluntary and community sector, the arts, film, music, vulnerable minorities, older people, victims of the Troubles, people with disabilities and minority ethnic groups.

The volunteer scheme involves over 125 active citizens.

The organisation organises low cost or free training schemes in all aspects of film making.

Under the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Eight new entrants each year are trained in practical skills for employment in the film industry.

The organisation holds a moving image archive of 30 years of community and cultural involvement.

The organisation is also funded by Belfast City Council, under their multi-annual funding scheme. Organisations funded under this scheme are acknowledged as the city’s flagship arts organisations.

Independent research for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 carried out by FGS McClure Watters for Belfast City Council found that demand for Northern Visions resources was higher than availability. Numbers of participants on Northern Visions outreach arts programme were exceeded by 56%. The number of arts projects completed rose by 28%. Volunteers doubled over the three-year period from 180 to 397 and the participation of young filmmakers trebled. There were 1,259 participants in "Targeting Special Needs" areas in 2008 and 1,286 in 2009. This independent research echoes the experience in the years 2010 and 2011. The FGS McClure Watters independent research found that for every £1 of Belfast City Council funding, Northern Visions leveraged £8.27 from other sources.

Northern Visions was instrumental in developing and establishing a film culture in N. Ireland, lobbying for the establishment of the then Northern Ireland Film Council, now Northern Ireland Screen.

Based in the Cathedral Quarter, Northern Visions was active in campaigning for the cultural regeneration of this part of the city, since the 1990s.

In the U.K. Northern Visions was chosen as one of twelve groups to pilot local community radio. The success of the pilot led to changes in the Communications Act 2003 and a new tier of broadcasting being introduced in the UK. There are now over 200 community radio stations throughout the U.K.

Since 2004, it has been central to the successful lobby for local television in the UK. Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt recently announced over 20 local television stations would be established in the U.K. He said, 'Local TV will be a fundamental change in broadcasting in this country'.

For further information www.northernvisions.org

Email feedback@nvtv.co.uk

Press Enquiries: David Hyndman, 028 9024 5495 ext 202

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