All-Party Group on the Arts
Supporting cross-party dialogue and advocacy for the arts in Northern Ireland.
The All-Party Group on the Arts (APGA) provides a forum for MLAs, arts organisations, sector representatives and invited speakers to come together to discuss issues affecting the arts in Northern Ireland.
The group helps raise the visibility of the arts within political and policy conversations, creating space for discussion around the sector’s cultural, social and economic value, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing artists and organisations today.
Theatre and Dance NI acts as secretariat to the All-Party Group on the Arts, providing organisational and strategic support to the group’s work.
What is the All-Party Group on the Arts?
An All-Party Group (APG) is an informal cross-party group within the Northern Ireland Assembly that brings together MLAs and external organisations or individuals around a shared area of interest.
The All-Party Group on the Arts exists to support discussion and debate on the arts, helping to ensure the sector is represented within wider Assembly conversations and public policy discussions. The Assembly describes APGs as a forum through which MLAs and outside organisations can meet to discuss shared interests.
The group is part of the wider landscape of arts advocacy in Northern Ireland and helps create opportunities for sector voices to be heard directly by elected representatives.
Proud to Serve as Secretariat
TDNI is proud to serve as secretariat to the All-Party Group on the Arts. This work forms part of TDNI’s wider advocacy role in supporting a stronger, more visible and better-connected theatre and dance sector in Northern Ireland.
As Secretariat, TDNI:
- Organise meetings and agendas
- Facilitate communication with members and invited speakers
- Support sector engagement
- Help ensure key issues affecting the arts are brought into policy discussions
How the APGA Came to Be
Prior to the formal establishment of the All-Party Group on the Arts, a Cross-Party Group on the Arts was set up to support discussion and cooperation around the value of the arts in Northern Ireland.
That group, led by Clare Bailey MLA, helped build momentum for a more formal structure within the Assembly and contributed to the creation of the current APGA.
TDNI supported that earlier work and continues to provide strategic and organisational support to the current group today.
Current APGA Membership
The All-Party Group on the Arts brings together MLAs from across parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Officers
Sian Mulholland
Chairperson MLA (Alliance)
Claire Sugden
Vice-Chairperson MLA (Independent)
Cara Hunter
Secretary (SDLP)
Members
John Blair
MLA (Alliance)
Danny Donnelly
MLA (Alliance)
Mark Durkan
MLA (SDLP)
Paul Frew
MLA (DUP)
Nuala McAllister
MLA (Alliance)
Maolíosa McHugh
MLA (Sinn Féin)
Carál Ní Chuilín
MLA (Sinn Féin)
Kate Nicholl
MLA (Alliance)
Matthew O’Toole
MLA (SDLP)
For the full name and information on the All-Party Group on the Arts, visit the Arts APG page on the Northern Ireland Assembly website.
What the Group Discusses
The All-Party Group on the Arts provides a platform for discussion on a wide range of issues affecting the arts sector,
Meetings may include presentations from arts organisations, sector representatives, policymakers and invited speakers, alongside discussion with MLAs.
including:
- Arts funding and sustainability
- Artist and workforce conditions
- Access, inclusion and participation
- The role of the arts in education, health and community life
- Sector policy and strategy
- The wider social and economic contribution of the arts
Meetings may include presentations from arts organisations, sector representatives, policymakers and invited speakers, alongside discussion with MLAs.
Recent APGA Meetings & Events
Explore recent All-Party Group on the Arts (APGA) meetings, events and sector conversations.
24 June 2026 - AGM
Annual General Meeting held via Teams, including officer confirmations.
14 April 2026
Liaison with Music Venues Trust event to launch their annual report which included NI specific data for the first time.
24 March 2026
Meeting with Chair, Sian Mulholland, to plan and discuss data, research and evidence in the Arts Sector
23 September 2025
Department for Communities Presentation on “The Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme: Purpose and Framework” published July 2025.
30 June 2025 – AGM
Annual General Meeting held via Zoom, including officer confirmations and presentations from University of Atypical and Open Arts.
Summary notes or updates from selected meetings may be available on request.
Suggestions and Enquiries
If you or your organisation wish to propose a discussion topic for the All Party Group on the Arts, please get in touch below.
Stay Informed
To hear about advocacy updates, APGA activity and wider sector developments, explore our latest news and advocacy work.