About this Event
The second instalment in our Financing Creativity series, explores how arts and cultural organisations can secure the investment needed to develop their spaces, strengthen their organisations and build long-term sustainability.
As the funding landscape continues to evolve, organisations are increasingly looking beyond traditional income streams to realise ambitious capital projects, improve resilience and create lasting impact. This event will explore models in attracting investment, developing compelling projects and building the partnerships needed to turn vision into reality.
Through case study presentations and an in-depth panel discussion, you'll hear directly from organisations that have successfully delivered capital developments, secured significant investment, and adopted innovative approaches to long-term sustainability. Speakers will share the opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned along the way, offering practical insights into balancing day-to-day operations with serving their communities while staying true to their organisation's vision and mission.
Whether you're at the early stages of planning a capital project, exploring new funding opportunities or thinking strategically about your organisation's future, this event will provide inspiration, practical advice and the opportunity to connect with others facing similar opportunities and challenges within the sector and beyond.
The Panel
Hear from three inspiring leaders who have successfully navigated /navigating major capital developments while staying rooted in their organisations’ purpose, communities and long-term vision. Cath McBride of In Your Space Circus, Emma Drury of Seacourt Print Workshop and Kevin Murphy of The Playhouse will share honest insights from their own experiences of securing significant investment, developing ambitious spaces and building sustainable futures for their organisations. Through an open and practical discussion, the panel will explore what it takes to turn a capital ambition into reality - from developing the vision and securing funding, to navigating challenges, managing risk and balancing the demands of a major project with the day-to-day needs of an organisation. Together, they’ll share lessons learned, approaches that have worked, and advice for organisations considering their own next steps.
Cath McBride has worked in Northern Ireland’s third sector since 2000, following an early career in youth development with Raleigh International and Belfast Activity Centre. She moved into the arts through roles with Belfast Community Circus School and Arts Care, developing a particular passion for the role of creativity in community development and social change.
In 2009, Cath established her own consultancy, supporting organisations to strengthen their planning, fundraising, evaluation and project management. In 2012, she became Company Director of In Your Space Circus, the North West’s only circus school and street theatre company.
Under Cath’s leadership, IYSC has grown into one of Northern Ireland’s most ambitious arts organisations, delivering innovative artistic, participatory and social circus projects. She is currently leading the organisation’s major capital project to transform a heritage building in the heart of Derry into a circus school, performance space and community hub.
Emma Drury is the Director at Seacourt Print Workshop
Emma is a cultural leader and executive director with 20 plus years’ of leadership in the arts across public and third sectors. She is a passionate advocate for arts and culture and its potential to transform people’s lives and the place they live.
She is currently Director at Seacourt Print Workshop a leading arts organisation based in Bangor Co Down. She recently led a major capital programme securing £750,000 for the purchase and redevelopment of Seacourt’s first building in the city centre housing a gallery, artists’ studios, community space and a busy print workshop.
Emma is working collaboratively with creatives and arts organisations in Bangor to build capacity and create an environment where the cultural regeneration will flourish. So far this has led to establishment of Late Night Art Bangor, Bingham Lane Festival, an emerging business investment district and a new creative cooperative.
Kevin Murphy is CEO of The Playhouse in Derry~Londonderry, a cultural leader who seeks to build things he believes in with others that help make positive change. His diverse career began as a professional musician in London, followed by roles on the island of Ireland with Music55-7 as an Artistic Director and Creative Lives Ireland as their Chief Officer.
At The Playhouse Kevin engages with the locality and people of the North West of the island of Ireland and important global narratives around art making, empowering people and making peaceful change. He works with a highly creative team to provide a space for making meaning together creatively, peacefully and with hope.
Kevin is also a Clore Fellow, Common Purpose Graduate and International Futures Forum Practice Advisor. He has co-written the influential books Making Common Cause and Recovering Hope, and is a core member of the Wellbeing Economy Ireland Hub.
Accessibility
We are committed to making our events inclusive and accessible to all. If you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments, please let us know when booking so we can accommodate your needs.
If you’d like to speak to someone about accessibility before the event, please contact Holly [email protected] or ring us on 02890735150
On the day, our team will be available to assist you—just look for staff wearing pink lanyards. They’ll be happy to answer any questions or provide any additional support you may need.
Environmental Statement
A&BNI is committed to working with our Board, staff, suppliers, funders and audiences to ensure we consider the environmental impacts of our activities.
We are members of Green Arts NI, a sustainability network of cultural and creative organisations. In June 2019 we made a Plastic Promise and pledged to stop further use of plastic bottles and cups and to specify use of reusable sustainable products at our events. We walk, use public transport or car-share as much as possible – and encourage our attendees to consider sustainable transport options where possible
Event venue & nearby stays
The Playhouse, 5-7 Artillery Street, Derry/Londonderry, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.