Eleven artist studios and creative workspaces across Belfast are taking part in an innovative new programme developed in partnership by Arts & Business NI and Belfast City Council. The initiative is designed to support the artist-led spaces that play a vital role in shaping the city’s creative landscape.
Speaking about the programme, Brona Whittaker, Head of Arts at Arts & Business NI said; “Artist-led spaces, such as studios and creative workspace, are essential to the cultural fabric of our communities, without them we’d have fewer opportunities to experience and engage with art and less cultural events, festivals, shows and exhibitions. These dynamic and inclusive spaces support artists and makers at every stage of their careers, bringing creative ideas and projects to life. They positively impact our wider social, cultural, and economic wellbeing, yet, through our work with arts members and the arts sector, we know that these many of these spaces are in flux, grappling with a number of challenges and external pressures.
In partnership with Belfast City Council, we are delighted to launch our pilot Artist’s Studio programme. Over the next six months, participating organisations across Belfast, will engage in a tailored programme of training, mentoring, and peer learning—designed to help them lay strong foundations, develop new connections and support the building of more resilient and sustainable futures.”
Councillor Sam Nelson, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee added:
“Creative Workspaces are important spaces for our arts and cultural sector. It’s where artists develop ideas, experiment, and engage with others to create. Their work helps to animate our city and showcase talent locally, nationally, and internationally.
The ongoing challenges and instability faced by artist studios has placed pressure on artists, studio leaders and the wider arts community, so it’s vital to protect these spaces.
This programme of support with Arts & Business NI, aims to strengthen the sustainability of the sector by offering leadership training, peer support, financial planning and fundraising. We truly value the important work happening in Belfast’s artist studios.”
The organisations taking part in the programme are – Arcade Studios, Array, Belfast Print Workshop, Catalyst Arts, Creative Exchange, Digital Arts Studios, Pollen, Platform Arts, PS2, Queen Street Studios, Vault Artist Studios.
Find out more about the programme and the organisations taking part here – https://www.artsandbusinessni.org.uk/news/2025/may/supporting-creative-spaces-that-shape-belfast
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