Sinn Féin councillor Conor Maskey recently raised concerns about the cost efficiency of Belfast’s flagship cultural program, Belfast 2024, during a Belfast City Council committee meeting at City Hall. Maskey criticized the program for costing the council an average of £50 per head, with some events costing over £250 per head. In comparison, a Féile Halloween event only cost around 50 pence per head and was considered a success in terms of numbers.
The council officials described Belfast 2024 as a year-long celebration of home-grown culture and creativity, featuring various events, theatre, music, and art developed through innovative co-design and partnership models. The program aims to deliver on the City Council’s Cultural and Tourism strategies, UNESCO City of Music status, Belfast Agenda, Bolder Vision, and Belfast Stories development.
Recent events under Belfast 2024 include Bounce Culture, a North Star program inspired by anti-slavery abolitionist Frederick Douglas, “BIAF – Hear/Touch/Feel,” a dance performance led by visually impaired artists, and “Red Sky at Night,” a residency program with international artists showcasing their work in public park spaces at night. The program also includes events like “Are you on the Bus?” exploring the city’s LGBTQIA+ heritage and the upcoming “Our Stories” Festival.
The council has allocated funds towards creative and cultural sector commissioning, direct commissions and partnerships, and strategic music-based events to support Belfast’s UNESCO City of Music designation and city music strategy. Despite concerns raised by Councillor Maskey regarding the cost per head of events, a council officer emphasized that the program is focused on cultural engagement, partnership, and citizen development, rather than large-scale events like Halloween fireworks displays.
Councilor Brian Smyth highlighted that arts spending in Northern Ireland has decreased significantly over the past decade, making it the lowest per capita in the UK. He commended the council for supporting the arts amidst these challenges. By the end of August, Belfast 2024 had organized 549 events with 35,000 participants, involving 811 artists and contractors and 203 program partners. Feedback from audience and contractor surveys indicated high levels of satisfaction, with 99 percent of attendees agreeing they had a good time.
Overall, Belfast 2024 aims to celebrate the city’s culture and creativity while fostering community engagement and collaboration. Despite concerns about cost efficiency, the program continues to provide unique and diverse cultural experiences for residents and visitors alike.
