Visual Artists Ireland Expands level of services for Professional Artists in Northern Ireland
Visual Artists Ireland today announced the expansion of support services for professional visual artists in Northern Ireland. First established in 1980, Visual Artists Ireland is the representative and support body for professional visual artists in Ireland. Building upon the support shown by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, VAI has consistently looked at the needs of artists and delivers services to support art makers in their careers in a timely and efficient manner.
Under the title “for Visual Artists in Northern Ireland” the new services include a dedicated new website http://www.visualartists-ni.org which provides information on visual arts events and opportunities in Northern Ireland, other parts of the UK, and internationally. The site also contains knowledge and support on a variety of legal, financial and career matters that have been developed in partnership with Artquest (London). It is accompanied by a new Twitter service #4VisArtsNI so that the public can keep up to date on the visual arts.
Also announced today are a series of new initiatives such as affordable insurance for artists, an international studio exchange programme, as well as equipment hire facilities and a professional development programme platform. VAI is pleased to be working with Belfast Exposed and the Digital Artists Studios, Belfast on the project. Further partner organisations and existing services are contained on the website.
To mark the occasion, Visual Artists Ireland in partnership with the Digital Artists Studios are happy to announce a New Media Residency for Northern Ireland Artists. Further details of this will be released later in the year in the form of a call for applications.
