Arts Council of the Velocity Interoperability Network Established

The Arts Council of the Velocity Interoperability Network has been formally established. The Council is responsible for public funding of the arts across the Network, for the commissioning and care of public art at Network sites, and for support to artists, including residencies, studios and professional development.

With its establishment complete, the Council today launches its official website at arts.gov.vin. The site carries press releases and official statements, the guidance and timetable for each of the Council's four funding programmes, the register of public art commissions, and details of the support available to artists.

The Council takes over the arts funds, commissions and residency schemes previously operated separately by member organisations of the Network. All 169 awards made under interim arrangements during the transition period are honoured in full, and the nine public art commissions in progress transfer to the Council's Public Art Programme.

The opening of the Council's first funding rounds, the confirmation of its public art commissions and its first report on awards are the subject of separate announcements published today. General enquiries may be sent to contact@arts.gov.vin.