Arts and Culture Minister Nelson McCausland received a Valentine’s card with a difference today, from representatives of Arts groups from across Northern Ireland who had gathered outside DCAL headquarters in Belfast City Centre to tell him how much they ‘love the arts’.

The groups presented the Minister with a five foot tall Valentine’s card, created by children using Play Resource’s Scrapstore materials, as part of the Fair Deal for the Arts NI campaign.

The campaign is asking the public to write to the Executive to urge it to reconsider the potentially devastating 23% cut proposed for the arts in the NI Draft budget. The campaign highlights that these proposed cuts are disproportionately high compared with other sectors and will inevitably impact directly on jobs and front line services.

Speaking about what the proposed cuts will mean, Anne O’Donoghue Play Resource’s Director said: “Over the past 25 years we have developed a highly successful social economy enterprise which accounts for over 50% of our income. However, without public funding the future for this service could be in real jeopardy. We, along with others in the arts, want to look forward to a future where we can deliver exciting and stimulating programmes which help thousands of children and young people to acquire valuable life skills for a successful future.

“We are here today to urge the public to support the case for the arts by going to the Facebook page and sending the Fair Deal for the Arts campaign letter.”

The public consultation on the Northern Ireland Draft Budget 2011-2015 closes on Wednesday 16th February. To find out more about the Fair Deal for the Arts Facebook Campaign visit ‘fairdealfortheartsni’ on Facebook or pick up one of the campaign postcards at arts venues across Northern Ireland.

Watch the Fair Deal for the Arts NI campaign videos at www.youtube.com/cultureni.