A bold new creative initiative celebrating diversity, inclusion, and cross community connection through the power of the arts.
Arts Across the Genres (AATG) is an ambitious and inclusive new arts programme set to transform Belfast’s creative and community landscape. This initiative is backed by £695,744 in funding from Belfast City Council’s Belfast Local Community Action Plan, supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match-funding has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland. ​​​​​​​
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A bold new creative initiative celebrating diversity, inclusion, and cross community connection through the power of the arts.
Arts Across the Genres (AATG) is an ambitious and inclusive new arts programme set to transform Belfast’s creative and community landscape. This initiative is backed by £695,744 in funding from Belfast City Council’s Belfast Local Community Action Plan, supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match-funding has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland. ​​​​​​​
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The Arts Across the Genres initiative will harness the power of creativity to promote understanding, build bridges, and celebrate Belfast’s rich cultural tapestry through the arts. Arts Across the Genres will contribute to the implementation of the Thriving and Peaceful Communities theme under the Belfast PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan.
Running from July 2025 to September 2027, Arts Across the Genres will bring together hundreds of participants across North, South, East, and West Belfast to engage in dynamic, collaborative projects spanning a wide range of artistic disciplines, including music, theatre, dance, visual and digital arts, creative writing, and filmmaking.
Designed to spark connection and encourage cross-community dialogue, the programme will feature:
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Four large-scale genre-based art projects involving 140 participants each, delivered in paired area groups (for example: East/West and North/South OR East/North and West/South).
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A fifth flagship project engaging 18 participants across the full two-year span, who will co-create a documentary film chronicling the journey and impact of the programme.
All projects will culminate in public showcases celebrating the talents, stories, and collective spirit of the people of Belfast.
MayWe Events Ltd will lead the delivery of the programme, collaborating with esteemed partners BEAM Creative Network and Giga Training, ensuring expert facilitation and deep community engagement at every stage.
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PROJECT 1: POLYPHONIC
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It’s Bold. It’s Ambitious. It’s Unifying. It’s Creative. It’s Epic,
And it’s Completely FREE.
An incredible arts adventure in music and performance, open to all ages from every corner of the city!
This is YOUR chance to be part of something unforgettable.
Beam Creative Network are beyond excited that recruitment is now open for ‘Polyphonic: Many Voices, One Dream’, funded by Belfast City Council’s Local Community Action Plan and supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), with match funding provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.
From creative sessions and masterclasses … to exciting trips and workshops … to connecting with new people, creating new bonds and loads of fun along the way. You will work with Northern Ireland’s top professional artists led by Artistic Director Katie Richardson to co-create a massive public production to be showcased in the MAC theatre in March 2026.
This is more than just a project. It’s a transformative experience for all!
We’ll be delivering this project across all areas of Belfast starting next month.
Please see dates for the first set of sessions below:
Please note at this stage of the programme please attend the sessions in your area e.g. if your postcode is in North Belfast you only attend the sessions in North Belfast.
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North Belfast
Sat 20 Sept @ 12 - 4pm
Sun 5 Oct @ 12 - 4pm
Sun 2 Nov @ 12 - 4pm
Location: Girdwood Community Hub
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South Belfast
Sun 21 Sept @ 2- 6pm
Sun 26 Oct @ 2- 6pm
Sun 9 Nov @ 2- 6pm
Location: Accidental Theatre
East Belfast
Sat 27 Sept @ 2 - 6pm
Wed 1 Oct @ 7 - 9pm
Wed 29 Oct @ 7 - 9pm
Sat 29 Nov @ 2 - 6pm
Location:
Portview Trade Centre - 27 Sept & 29 Nov
Banana Block - 1 Oct & 29 Oct
West Belfast
Sun 28 Sept@ 2 - 6pm
Tues 28 Oct @ 7 - 9pm
Thurs 30 Oct @ 7 - 9pm
Sun 30 Nov @ 2 - 6pm
Location:
Brassneck - 28th Sept & 30th Nov
Black Mountain Shared Space - 28 Oct & 30 Oct
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If you, your group or club, your family, or anyone you know might be interested in getting involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Email kathryn@beamcreativenetwork.com for further information and we’ll send you more details!
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For more information on Belfast City Council’s PEACEPLUS Local Community Action plan, visit the
council website here
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For more information on PEACEPLUS, visit here