evidence: The value of the Arts - The Arts deliver big returns for our economy and for our society - The Arts currently receive just 0.1% of the Northern Ireland budget. It makes no sense to make further cuts to a sector which generates such a high rate of return on its investment - Cuts to the Arts budget will result in the contraction of frontline services and reduction of education and outreach programmes - The Arts bring people and communities together and make our lives richer. We saw this in action during Derry~Londonderry’s transformation into UK City of Culture 2013 - Public investment is the key to building confidence and leveraging additional funding from sponsors and private investors - The creative sector is one of the fastest growing in the economy, creating economic growth and jobs - The Arts support the work of many government partners, helping them to achieve their objectives in regeneration, reconciliation, tourism, creative industries, education and health - The Arts distinguish us from other places, make the world talk about us for all the right reasons and raise our global profile as a progressive place that’s ready to compete and do business