Arts Matter NI Rally at Stormont in Pictures

200 people came together outside Stormont this week to demand more arts funding. The protest was sparked by an in-year cut to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The turn out included a range of artists and performers carrying placards highlighting their anger at the current funding situation.

Those protesting say that cuts the arts sector faces are disproportionate and that they place performances, productions and jobs at risk.

Addressing the gathering, writer Glenn Patterson said: 'This isn’t a whinge, this is cold fury.'

Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure Carál Ní Chuilín welcomed the show of support for the arts but said that unfortunately she is dealing with a reduced budget within her department.

The Culture Minister later heard directly from some of the campaign's representatives in a brief meeting in the Great Hall at Stormont, and agreed to meet again in the forthcoming weeks.

The Arts Matter NI campaign said: 'We want to make sure there are adequate funds to maintain the current arts infrastructure and support the development of a creative economy that can build jobs, artistic opportunities, health, well-being and educational achievement.'