Where will all the money go?

TODAY'S the day that heralds the feeding frenzy for the arts in Northern Ireland but, given that the Ants Council's budget from the Department of Education is the same this year as last, indications are that the same fish may well be getting the same feed, writes Pol O Muiri.

Belfast's new Waterfront Hall would make it virtually impossible for the Arts Council to even contemplate cutting the finances of the Ulster Orchestra and Opera Northern Ireland, two of its major clients who take the lion's share of funding. These "showcase" organisations can be expected to use the new facilities on offer by the Lagan. The hue and cry which would greet a cut in their awards would be too much for such a timid body as the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

What hope then for change? Little or none would seem to be the surest bet. Community Arts in the north is one client who the Arts Council would not wish to offend at the moment. It has a reputation for militancy, especially in Belfast, which the Arts Council often finds hard to deal with. It should be remembered too that the Arts Council itself made Community Arts a priority only last year. Indeed, the council has spoken very highly of "the excellence of community arts provision in the north west". Beyond Borders Project and the Playhouse, two Derry based community arts projects, have earned many plaudits for their work. There is little indication that the Arts Council would be able to back away from its present commitment to Community Arts, even if it felt so inclined.

One possible area for change may be in theatre. The last number of years has seen the demise of Point Fields, the O'Casey Theatre Company and Charabanc. It will be interesting to see how these ex grants are re allocated. Will smaller companies finally receive a bigger slice of the cake and will the Arts Council finally address the appalling lack of funding for cross Border touring, which prevents small companies from bringing their wares throughout the island?

And what of the Don Quixotes of the arts world, the Ulster Scots language? The Arts Council has been under continuous scrutiny from unionists regarding the alleged disparity between funding allocated to Irish language and Ulster Scots arts. Will the political pressure bear fruit?