£600,000 Image Makeover For Local Areas Across The North

New funding of almost £600,000 (€887,000) was announced this week to help local communities give their areas new images by removing paramilitary murals and emblems.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the money would be split between 34 projects right across the North under the Arts Council's Re-Imaging Communities Programme.

The money - £570,000 (€843,000) in total - has been awarded to community groups who applied for funding under the programme to aid the creation of vibrant and attractive shared spaces.

Mr McGuinness said: "People want and deserve a stable, inclusive and tolerant society, where people can work and play together regardless of community or ethnic background or their religious or political beliefs.

"Initiatives such as the Re-Imaging Communities Programme play an important role in achieving that goal."

Speaking at the launch in the Ormeau Baths Gallery in Belfast, Mr McGuinness said he had seen some wonderful examples of the creative talent that existed at ground level in all communities and which was just waiting for an opportunity to express itself.

The Deputy First Minister added: "The Arts have a very important role to play in delivering the transformation of our society. The successful projects here today are an essential part of building a better future for all our children."

The 'Re-Imaging' programme was established by the Arts Council in response to the government's Shared Future agenda to help all communities in both urban and rural areas to focus on positive ways to express who they are and what culture means to them artistically and creatively.