About Us
What We Do
we create meaningful opportunities to connect through creativity all year round
Creative Engagement
Year round creative projects and events
We’re committed to providing equitable access to the arts in east Belfast. Our work aims to unlock creative potential and connect people in a variety of different ways:
1. Artist Support Programme
Bespoke training and support for professional artists including facilitation training, diverse awareness sessions, the ‘business’ of arts masterclasses and regular networking events. We want local community leaders to build their creative capacity by supporting them with training and knowledge on how to run creative activity on their own budgets.
2. Creative Communities
Working with partners in education and learning to develop creativity in early years settings and advocate for the arts and creative industries as a valid career choice.
3. More For More
More creative events and activities, in more places, for more people. We want everyone to have the opportunity to experience creativity on their own terms, in ways that are open, accessible, and affordable.
EastSide Arts Festival
Annual showcase of arts and culture
In 2012 a group of like-minded east Belfast residents who are passionate about arts and culture came together to run a festival on their own doorstep; the East Belfast Arts Festival. After several very successful years, the event was rebranded the EastSide Arts Festival in 2015 and the headline event that year was Van Morrison on Cyprus Avenue.
The festival continues to grow and develop each year, encompassing a wide variety of artforms in a diverse, innovative and quirky programme that is unique to this part of the city. EastSide Arts Festival takes place each year for 11 days in July/ August, presenting a showcase of the extraordinary artists, venues, spaces and communities of east Belfast for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.
The 2025 festival takes place across east Belfast from 24 July – 2 August. Keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook pages for early releases and programme details as they become available.
Find out more about our current projects
Learn more about our past projects
