Irish In Britain

Cultural Forums

The Irish in Britain Cultural Forums are an opportunity for all IiB members who run arts and cultural events and activities to meet and discuss topics relevant to them. The forums run a minimum of three times a year in locations that rotate throughout Britain. 

All forums feature at least two speakers, usually one that speaks to that forum’s topic, and another to discuss funding or fundraising. The forums have been well attended in the past and have all been spoken highly of by participants. Check below for news on upcoming forums and to hear about past ones. 

PAST FORUMS

IiB Cultural Forum September – London

The focus of this forum was the role of the arts in health and well–being and featured a workshop led by Damian Hebron of the London Arts and Health Forum. Damian talked about the history the arts have played in health and well–being and held an open discussion with participants on running health focussed arts and cultural events of their own.  
The forum also featured a presentation and one–to–one sessions with two representatives from the Big Lottery Fund. The representatives spoke about BLF’s main funding streams in England, what they look for in applications and what mistakes applicants should avoid. After the presentation, the representatives went over attendee’s individual project proposals and provided advice on their applications.  
“Very informative gathering and extremely beneficial” – John Giltenan, Council of Irish County Associations

IiB Cultural Forum May – Liverpool 

Irish in Britain held its first Cultural Forum for member organisations at the Liverpool Irish Centre on 16 May 2018. The theme of May’s forum was monitoring and evaluation and participants heard about best M&E practices from consultant and nonprofit expert Diane West. 
Participants also heard from HLF development officer Antonia Canal, who went through the funder’s major funding streams and spoke about what they like to see in an application. Participants also had a chance to speak with Antonia directly about projects they are planning and applications they currently had underway.

“It was a really good forum, informative and well–run.” – Forum participant