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We’re proud to have a dedicated team and a permanent office serving Northern Ireland.
The first regional office of Help Musicians, joined by its sister office in Glasgow in early 2018, sits within Regional Development Department under the auspices of our Programme Directorate, led by Claire Gevaux. Claire is joined by Caroline Hansell as Head of Regional Development.
The team on the ground at the Help Musicians NI office is led by Keith Millar as Regional Manager, with Nikki MacRae as Programme & Outreach Officer and Meghan Gilleece as Fundraising & Volunteer Officer. Declan Legge completes the team as Music Industry Liaison.
Based at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Centre, the team works to enable the charity to quickly react to the ever-changing needs of the industry across the region, as well as support local emerging talent, developing musicians and more seasoned artists. Help Musicians NI works to improve the industry through synergistic partnership with like-minded organisations across musical genres, and supports artists directly through our various creative funding opportunities and health and welfare offerings.
As an independent charity, donations and support for funding is vital, we are proud to say that all funds raised in Northern Ireland remain in Northern Ireland.
The launch of Help Musicians' first regional office in Northern Ireland took place in November 2016, and was followed by a range of activities that brought together local artists, music industry activity and the wider community. April 2017 saw the launch of Help Musicians NI's bespoke Three In Three Programme, which supports and enriches three Northern Irish acts and their managers over a three year period. Selected by application against rigorous competition, Sam Wickens, ROE and The Wood Burning Savages were chosen as the three acts who would gain access to a tailored, fully-funded programme of support, guidance and artistic development. Two of these acts then went on to sweep the board at the Northern Ireland Music Prize 2018, with ROE winning the Oh Yeah Contender Award, and The Wood Burning Savages winning Best Live Act and Best Album.
Help Musicians NI has enjoyed working alongside partners as Over The Hill (researching and servicing the needs of older musicians), Ruach Music, Chordblossom, Music Skills NI, AVA Conference & Festival, Thin Air, Sound Of Belfast, Women's Work and Stendhal Festival to reach the entire region, and to support, reflect and celebrate the diversity and impact of music in Northern Ireland.
Contact our Northern Ireland office
028 9023 3162
niinfo@helpmusicians.org.uk