Council's '˜creative initiative' shortlisted for UK Award

Nominated in the Best Local Authority Arts Project Encouraging Community Cohesion category for their Creative Citizens programme, the Mid and East Antrim Council is named as the only Council in Northern Ireland to be shortlisted in the awards.

The Hearts for the Arts awards celebrate the work of Councils, Councillors and Council Officers throughout the UK, who have overcome financial challenges to ensure the arts stay at the centre of community life.

Launched in 2015, The Creative Citizens programme, a partnership between Voluntary Arts Ireland and Mid and East Antrim Council, empowers local people to actively engage with local and regional organisations, services and networks, encouraging creative collaboration throughout the community.

Liam Neeson OBE, Freeman of Ballymena and renowned actor has commented on the programme: “The Borough has always had a deep creative pool in all the arts. It’s wonderful and, personally exciting for me that this pool is being tapped into and explored by this wonderful creative alliance. I’ve very proud of you all!”

Lord Puttnam of Queensgate CBE, Producer of Chariots of Fire and The Killing Fields, the former chair and CEO of Columbia Pictures said of the programme, “The Creative Citizens programme is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to experience the arts.”

On receipt of the nomination as finalist, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Paul Reid, said: “We are extremely proud to be shortlisted alongside some fantastic local councils throughout the UK. Our Creative Citizens programme gives local people the opportunity to explore the value of creative citizenship, as well as championing the importance of arts in bringing together people from all parts of the Borough.”