The Northern Ireland Arts and Human Rights Forum held its first meeting on 30 April 2026 at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission offices in Belfast.

Representatives from ten arts and cultural organisations attended, including the MAC, Ulster Orchestra, Crescent Arts Centre, Bruiser Theatre Company and Community Arts Partnership.

David Russell, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, said the arts can help people understand human rights concepts and explore contested histories.

Javier Stanziola of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland spoke about the need for greater collaboration between artists and human rights advocates.

Emma Osborne outlined how human rights law protects participation in cultural life and supports inclusion in the arts.

Conor Shields described Community Arts Partnership's three decades of work promoting cultural rights through community practice and its role in peacebuilding.

A group of young people from the Washington Ireland Program Academy presented research on how community-based art has been used internationally to protect human rights and challenge narratives.