29/11/2019
Acclaimed NI Artists Awarded £15k
Four leading artists in Northern Ireland have each been awarded £15,000 in recognition of their contribution to creative life in the region.
Acclaimed writer Susan McKay, poet Moyra Donaldson, composer Deirdre Gribbin and musician/composer Neil Martin were presented with Major Individual Awards (MIA), the highest honour bestowed by the body responsible for the development of the arts in the region.
The funding will allow the artists to produce a substantial, ambitious series of new works that will make a significant impact to the development of their artistic careers.
Award-winning journalist Susan McKay, from Derry-Londonderry, will use the MIA award to write a new book about borders provisionally called, Outside in the Navy Dark, from a poem by Leontia Flynn.
Writer and poet, Moyra Donaldson, from Newtownards, County Down, will put hers towards the research and development of a new poetry collection, based on a theme of 'mothers and daughters' with publisher Doire press.
Composer, Deirdre Gribbin, from Belfast, will use the MIA award to complete two strands of work, Dark Matter Hunting and Kindersang: Outsider Child. Deirdre will work with astrophysicist, Professor Priya Natarjan, a leading expert on Dark Matter, as source material for the first composition, Dark Matter Hunting with the completed work due to be performed in 2020 at West Cork Music, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Hubble Telescope.
Meanwhile, musician and composer Neil Martin, from Belfast, will use his award to compose a new violin concerto, in three movements, for violinist, Maebh Martin, to be premiered in autumn 2020 to mark the launch of a new building housing the music department at St Andrew's University, Scotland.
Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Roisin McDonough offered her congratulations to the "four immensely talented artists" who have already made an enormous contribution to the arts in Northern Ireland.
Ms McDonough said: "Each will benefit greatly from being able to take time out to concentrate purely on these innovative new projects with the financial backing they need to produce work of lasting value. This award will help to cement their national and international reputations as artists, and strengthen the positive cultural profile of Northern Ireland, both home and abroad."
The four join a distinguished list of artists who have previously benefited from the Major Individual Artist award, issued by the Arts Council with the support of Northern Ireland National Lottery funding.
Major Individual Artist awards form part of the wider Support for the Individual Artist Programme (SIAP) which is administered annually.
(JG/MH)
Acclaimed writer Susan McKay, poet Moyra Donaldson, composer Deirdre Gribbin and musician/composer Neil Martin were presented with Major Individual Awards (MIA), the highest honour bestowed by the body responsible for the development of the arts in the region.
The funding will allow the artists to produce a substantial, ambitious series of new works that will make a significant impact to the development of their artistic careers.
Award-winning journalist Susan McKay, from Derry-Londonderry, will use the MIA award to write a new book about borders provisionally called, Outside in the Navy Dark, from a poem by Leontia Flynn.
Writer and poet, Moyra Donaldson, from Newtownards, County Down, will put hers towards the research and development of a new poetry collection, based on a theme of 'mothers and daughters' with publisher Doire press.
Composer, Deirdre Gribbin, from Belfast, will use the MIA award to complete two strands of work, Dark Matter Hunting and Kindersang: Outsider Child. Deirdre will work with astrophysicist, Professor Priya Natarjan, a leading expert on Dark Matter, as source material for the first composition, Dark Matter Hunting with the completed work due to be performed in 2020 at West Cork Music, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Hubble Telescope.
Meanwhile, musician and composer Neil Martin, from Belfast, will use his award to compose a new violin concerto, in three movements, for violinist, Maebh Martin, to be premiered in autumn 2020 to mark the launch of a new building housing the music department at St Andrew's University, Scotland.
Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Roisin McDonough offered her congratulations to the "four immensely talented artists" who have already made an enormous contribution to the arts in Northern Ireland.
Ms McDonough said: "Each will benefit greatly from being able to take time out to concentrate purely on these innovative new projects with the financial backing they need to produce work of lasting value. This award will help to cement their national and international reputations as artists, and strengthen the positive cultural profile of Northern Ireland, both home and abroad."
The four join a distinguished list of artists who have previously benefited from the Major Individual Artist award, issued by the Arts Council with the support of Northern Ireland National Lottery funding.
Major Individual Artist awards form part of the wider Support for the Individual Artist Programme (SIAP) which is administered annually.
(JG/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 March 2024
PRONI Launches Special '100 Treasures' Publication
A new special publication has been launched by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) to mark the end of its centenary year. 'PRONI 100 Treasures' features a selection of 100 fascinating documents, dating from 1219 to the present day. It documents the interesting and important items which now form part of the public record.
PRONI Launches Special '100 Treasures' Publication
A new special publication has been launched by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) to mark the end of its centenary year. 'PRONI 100 Treasures' features a selection of 100 fascinating documents, dating from 1219 to the present day. It documents the interesting and important items which now form part of the public record.
05 March 2024
NI To Be Included In New UK-Wide Anti-Tobacco And Vape Bill
Northern Ireland is to be included in a new UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The proposed legislation will also provide powers to allow for further regulatory measures to address youth vaping.
NI To Be Included In New UK-Wide Anti-Tobacco And Vape Bill
Northern Ireland is to be included in a new UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The proposed legislation will also provide powers to allow for further regulatory measures to address youth vaping.
04 March 2024
Lidl Invests Further £3m In Pay Increases
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced a pay increase for its workers across the region, investing £3 millon in staff. Lidl NI has to date invested £6 million in pay rises for employees in the region with employees benefitting from a 13.5 percent increase since February 2023.
Lidl Invests Further £3m In Pay Increases
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced a pay increase for its workers across the region, investing £3 millon in staff. Lidl NI has to date invested £6 million in pay rises for employees in the region with employees benefitting from a 13.5 percent increase since February 2023.
04 March 2024
New Report Highlights Current State Of NI Rivers
No single stretch of river in Northern Ireland is is "good overall health", this was the message of the Rivers Trust, in its latest 'State Of Our Rivers Report'.
New Report Highlights Current State Of NI Rivers
No single stretch of river in Northern Ireland is is "good overall health", this was the message of the Rivers Trust, in its latest 'State Of Our Rivers Report'.
01 March 2024
Belfast Region City Deal Investment Creates 'Significant Opportunities'
Belfast City Council has hosted an event for business leaders to learn more about the opportunities being created by the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment – and how they can connect to, and benefit from them.
Belfast Region City Deal Investment Creates 'Significant Opportunities'
Belfast City Council has hosted an event for business leaders to learn more about the opportunities being created by the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment – and how they can connect to, and benefit from them.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.