skip to main content
Search

Arts Council Northern Ireland Publishes Coronavirus Response

Arts Council Northern Ireland have stated that their priority is to support people who work in the arts through the challenges they may face over the coming months as a result of Coronavirus.

Published: 20 March 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:30 PM
Belfast city hall in the evening
Arts organisations are asked to continue as far possible to honour agreed contracts with artists and freelancers. Photo credit: Shutterstock

The funding body has made the following promises for existing funding awards:

  • To honour all grants already made in 2019/20 and to work flexibly with rescheduling of events and/or tours.
  • Aim to ssue any remaining balance of payments for 2019/20 as a matter of urgency.
  • Work flexibly with on contracts for next year, 2020/21. This may include advancing grant payment to assist with cashflow.
  • Asking funded arts organisations, in exchange for Arts Council support, to continue as far as possible to honour agreed contracts with artists and freelancers.
  • Their Arts Officers and Assistants are currently talking to arts organisations to ascertain the impacts and cost implications for organisations.

They are in discussion with their parent department, the Department for Communities, and are assessing what additional support might be offered to the arts sector.

Read Arts Council Northern Ireland’s full information page on their website.

See all news

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Three wooden blocks with red icons painted on them.

MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise

A new EU customs charge on low-value parcels is creating additional costs and administrative challenges for musicians selling merchandise directly to fans in Europe. The MU will work to ensure musicians affected by the new legislation are represented at a stakeholder consultation later this year.

Published: 31 July 2026

Read more about MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise
A brick wall with the flags of Spain and Gibraltar painted on it, overlapping each other.

Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians

New arrangements between Gibraltar and Spain will remove routine border checks for people crossing by land. While the agreement does not change existing rights to work in Spain or the EU, any time spent in Gibraltar will count towards musicians’ 90-day allowance for the Schengen area.

Published: 30 July 2026

Read more about Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians
A pink sign being held up that says

Music Qualifications Reform Debated in House of Lords

Peers from across the political spectrum raised concerns about the Government’s proposed reforms to level 3 music qualifications, with ministers confirming that existing qualifications will remain in place until at least 2030 and announcing a new creative advisory board to help shape the reforms.

Published: 28 July 2026

Read more about Music Qualifications Reform Debated in House of Lords
All news and features