New funding helps Derry's Studio 2 put art at the centre of the community

Greater Shantallow Community Arts, the organisation behind Studio 2 Youth & Community Arts Centre, Derry, were delighted to have received £30,000 to support its long term development through the Arts & Business NI Blueprint programme. During 2025/26 this vital funding allowed GSCA to sustain the employment of key staff to help build the resilience of the strategic Arts services and facilities it offers the communities it serves. 

The investment forms part of a £320,000 funding package for twelve arts organisations across Northern Ireland, provided by the Department for Communities (DfC) and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) through Blueprint.

Designed to break the cycle of short term funding, Blueprint supports arts organisations to build sustainable business models by combining capital investment with expert mentoring and commercial skills development.

For Greater Shantallow Community Arts, the funding will provide vital time and space to plan the future, as demand for its programmes continues to grow and the organisation looks beyond its current facilities.

From children’s workshops and theatrical productions to seasonal festivals that bring families together, Greater Shantallow Community Arts has been a creative anchor in the area for 25 years. The organisation aims to bring people together across communities, generations, and cultures, using the arts to build understanding, friendships, and shared experiences.

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Through the Blueprint programme, Greater Shantallow Community Arts will focus on strengthening its organisational foundations, reviewing future space and exploring new ways to support and grow earned income to build a more sustainable future.

Speaking about the impact of Blueprint, Gareth McAlinden, Project Coordinator of Greater Shantallow Community Arts, said: “When you work in the arts sector, you’re rarely given the time to step back and properly look at your organisation and long term strategy, because you’re so immersed in day to day delivery, but Blueprint is giving us that opportunity.

“It’s not about a short term fix, it’s about thinking bigger. We’ve outgrown our current facility, and the programme has allowed us to take advice from experienced mentors, to carefully examine our next steps, and to think about putting the right team in place to lead the organisation into its next phase.

“It has also helped us build new meaningful relationships with arts organisations beyond the North West, opening up conversations about future collaboration and future income opportunities. It’s an exciting time for us, and we’re very grateful for the expertise and guidance offered through the Arts & Business NI Blueprint programme. The experience has the potential to completely transform how we operate in the years ahead.”

Sarah Jones, Blueprint Programme Manager said: “We are delighted to be working with Greater Shantallow Community Arts/Studio 2 as they expand their space and impact, helping to shape a more confident cultural life across the area.

“Their vital work through youth programmes, community festivals and programmes for people of all ages across a wide range of art forms shows how creativity inspires community, builds connections and brings joy. Studio 2 continues to go from strength to strength, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds as they start to put their Blueprint plans into practice.”

With Blueprint’s support, Greater Shantallow Community Arts/Studio 2 aims to turn its ambitions into reality, investing in the future so they can continue to inspire, connect and support people from all backgrounds, bringing creativity to the heart of the community for many years to come.