Employment and Skills Initiative

The DfC Covid Recovery Employment and Skills Initiative Research Programme: The DfC Covid Recovery Employment and Skills Initiative is an employment and research programme aimed at interrogating the ways in which explicit governmental intervention in the arts sector can advance both the economy and social and cultural dividend for the region. It has been developed in partnership with the Department for Communities, Arts Council NI, The Policy and Evidence Centre at NESTA, QUB and the 72 partner organisations funded through the programme (see attached documentation for full list of funds). It is hoped there will be research collaborations with the other sectors involved in the scheme in particular the scheme being delivered by Northern Ireland Screen and the BBC. The researchers involved are: Principal Investigator - Prof Paul Moore Co-Investigators - Prof Frank Lyons, Prof Justin Magee Research Aims and Methodologies: The research outcomes will be delivered on an annual basis with a final over-arching research report. The research will have three aspects: Analysis of the geographic and logistical reach of the scheme and a detailed examination of the ways in which the creation of arts networks may allow for new forms of engagement in rural contexts A detailed analysis and examination of the impact of the 72 new work roles on the sector as a whole and the individual organisations hosting the employees An ethnographic analysis of the experiences of the individuals appointed to the work roles Expected Outcomes: There will be range of outcomes from the research strands: Regular research reports Impact case study/studies Theoretical and analytical papers Policy interventions Regular symposia and showcase events It is also expected that the scheme and its operation will lead to further finding in this sector.