Arts and cultural projects offer huge potential to help breathe new life into areas which have become run down.
That's the view of Edwin Poots, the new Arts Minister, and Margaret Ritchie, when they conducted their first joint engagement in Strabane last Thursday to officially open the £3.4 million Alley Arts and Conference Centre.
Mr Poots, delivering his first major speech on the value of arts and culture said, "While many would lament the loss of the former mart on the site, many more will join me in congratulating Strabane Council for their foresight, vision and energy in delivering this exciting new project.
"By providing modern cultural facilities, you are helping individuals realise their ambitions and reach their potential, whether their talent is in acting, music, dance or any other discipline.
Margaret Ritchie said: "My Department has a key role to play in this by reviving communities and bringing new life to towns and villages.
"This work and the contribution it can make to making life better for disadvantaged people and communities, is symbolised by this new arts centre and other work we are doing in Strabane.
Mr Poots said the importance of the arts and the creative industries to the economy is very significant with over 34,000 people in the sector and numbers growing every day.
"This Centre will also provide a great opportunity for local community and voluntary groups in the district that currently operate from community and church halls to develop and grow.
Margaret Ritchie added, "Urban regeneration and renewal is fundamentally about people and their quality of life.
"Successful regeneration brings vitality to areas, enhances social cohesion and develops self-confident communities.
"This new arts and cultural centre will help renew the physical appearance of Strabane and promote the cultural life of the town.
"Coupled with the other regeneration initiatives that my department has supported in the town centre, such as the new ASDA store and sporting facilities at Melvin Park, this will contribute to renewed confidence in Strabane."
The Centre will be further enhanced by a new courtyard which is being developed by DSD and the Council, featuring new lighting, paving and street furniture to complement the quality of the building and provide a comfortable and welcoming public space.
Central to the courtyard will be a piece of public art.
Martin Heron, a Cookstown artist has been awarded the contract to design the artwork.
The proposed design is for a pig which relates to the old pork and butter market that was originally on the site.
Thomas Kerrigan, Chairman of Strabane Council, said, "This is an opportunity for the Council, funders and the design team to celebrate a landmark achievement in terms of both the cultural and economic renewal of the District.
"I particularly welcome both Ministers. In a week which has politically seen the spirit of partnership taken to a new level in Northern Ireland, the Department's joint input at an operational level to support the arts is most pleasing," added the Chairman.
