Former Culture Secretary launches design iniative

Former Culture Secretary Chris Smith has launched 'Interface', the University of Ulster’s new flagship £9 million art and technology-design initiative, in Belfast today.

Declan McGonagle, Director, Interface - the Centre for Research in Art Technologies and Design - said the former cabinet minister’s agreement to launch the venture underscored its stature and hightighted its potential.

Professor McGonagle, a leading figure in the development of international contemporary art, holds a Chair in Art and Design at the University of Ulster's Belfast campus, where Interface is based.

He said: "It’s a huge pleasure - and a coup - for Interface to have Chris Smith come over for the launch. In his current job, he is actively promoting the pivotal importance of vibrant arts leadership - for the artist and the community. His launching of Interface is a tremendous boost and underlines not just the goodwill but the expectation that is out there about this unique enterprise."

The initiative aims to have art and design play a vital role in community development in Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland.

Activities will stretch into deprived areas, drawing community and artist together.

It will also create new design processes that will benefit textiles, other industries and modern high-technology sectors.

The inaugural ceremony will be attended by more than 120 people from a wide range of official agencies, arts, development, academic and community organisations.

(MB/SP)