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Status
Received: on time
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Income
£1.1M
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Spending
£1.2M
Public benefits
Purpose 1 The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include the improvement and growth of arts and culture in Northern Ireland by the development of an annual programme of musical events and arts activities which provide opportunities for local artists and audience participants to preserve and enrich the cultural landscape. Purpose 2 The
direct benefits which flow from this purpose include the promotion of enjoyment, better understanding and general advancement of the arts in Northern Ireland, through exposure to and participation in (as an audience member and participant) live musical and artistic performance. Purpose 3 The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include an improved understanding and appreciation of shared cultural interests across different communities and age groups facilitated by inclusive events at affordable ticket prices and in accessible locations. The Charity facilitates a means of social interaction promoting civic pride that is not based on political or religious motivations and is therefore neutral. Furthermore, the Charity welcomes volunteers from a range of community backgrounds to assist with the organisation of its events as a means of positively contributing to the arts community. Purpose 4 The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include a positive contribution to the image of Northern Ireland on a national and international standing as a location which offers an abundance of local and international creative talent, fosters and develops that talent by way of an organised cultural sector and promotes cultural activities of a quality comparable to larger European countries. These benefits are evidenced through ticket sales for the individual events; continued attendance the Charity’s events by persons from different communities, age groups, professions and ethnicities; the Charity’s mailing list; annual accounts filed by the Charity; reports to grant funders; continued grant funding from a range of different organisations; a commendation for the Charity at the 2014 NI Tourism Awards for Best Event or Festival Experience; and positive feedback by way of survey received from those persons attending the various concerts, readings and other activities that the Charity facilitates. The locations chosen by the Charity for staging events in politically neutral venues is evidenced by the festival brochures from previous years and the Charity’s website. The beneficiaries of our purposes are those persons in Northern Ireland with an interest in the arts, live music and the various artists and musicians performing at the events organised. There is no harm flowing from any of our charitable purposes. In relation to private benefits flowing from our purposes; persons involved with the Charity, specifically those involved with the organisation of the various events, may develop or improve skill sets that are transferrable to other positions of employment. However, this private benefit is incidental and necessary because the Charity requires skilled persons to properly organise such events. Further to this, artists and musicians appearing at the various events may gain a higher profile through exposure to a wider audience. However, this private benefit is necessary in order to help the Charity achieve its charitable purpose in organising events by increasing the number of attendees at those events. Local businesses and suppliers (such as the venues which stage the Charity’s events or food & drink suppliers) may benefit privately from this purpose. However, this is incidental and necessary because the availability of food and drink as well as the proximity of retail and tourist destinations improves the quality of the overall experience for those attending the Charity’s events and tourism throughout Northern Ireland in general.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
Our organisation delivers music and arts events, including annual festivals and one-off concerts and events. These feature high quality local artists alongside world-renowned international performers, and cover a range of artforms including music, theatre, film, comedy, spoken word and visual arts. We also run an independent music and arts venue in
the former Court House on Bangor seafront. We acquired this ‘at risk’ Victorian listed building from the Dept of Justice in December 2020 via Northern Ireland’s first Community Asset Transfer. We raised nearly £2m from a range of organisations including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and via a crowdfunding campaign, and fully restored and redeveloped the building. Our organisation provides many participative arts activities including a community choir. It runs a volunteer programme, and regularly provides work experience and internship opportunities for students.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science
Who the charity helps
- General public
How the charity works
- Arts
- Cultural
- Heritage/historical
- Volunteer development
