Culture Action Europe’s members, representing more than 80.000 cultural organisations from across Europe, call on the political leaders of the EU Member States gathering for the EU summit on November 22nd to have the courage and determination to orient the next EU budget to meet the needs of the people living in Europe in a sustainable way. This urge was restated when over 170 cultural operators, activists, artists and campaigners from all over Europe connected at Culture Action Europe’s Conference ‘Act for culture, act for Europe’, held in Brussels on 9 – 11 November 2012.

The conference provided a cross-sectoral view on the impact of arts and culture in further developing our societies and, in particular, in building a different Europe beyond the challenging times, based on sustainability, well-being and active involvement of its citizens. In this crucial phase for the European project and in the run-up to the extraordinary EU summit on 22 November, Culture Action Europe (CAE) and the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) are today (16 November 2012) issuing the following statement:

“It is time for our Heads of State and Governments to show the sound leadership required to ensure that the next EU budget meets the massive challenges we all face. Political courage and determination are essential to break away from special interests and orient the EU budget to meet the long-term needs of people living in Europe, in a sustainable way. Culture, education and the arts, citizens’ participation, equality and freedom for all, democracy and the rule of law, balanced regional development, environmental protection and social justice are the necessary foundations on which to build a sustainable Europe and to recover from the current crisis.

They are investments in our common future and must be protected from financial cuts. This is no time for horizontal cuts. It is the moment to support a united Europe, furthering its citizens’ diversity, well-being and engagement.

We call on the national and European leaders to move beyond historic positions and current mindsets to commit to supporting EU investment and spending to reflect the people-centred values and objectives, which are the only basis upon which to build both common and national interests.

CAE and ECF also call on the people living in Europe to raise their voices and support the demand for political vision, courage and determination essential to building a sustainable Europe. This statement is available for citizens and organisations keen to join efforts by sending the message to relevant decisionmakers online at www.wearemore.eu”

Fire Station is delighted to announce the artists selected from the recent open call for studio residencies commencing in June 2013. The artists selected, both short-term and long-term, Irish and international artists are: Bridget O’Gorman (Ireland), Dominic Thorpe (Ireland), Sonia Shiel (Ireland), Flora Muscovici (France), Eduardo Mattos & Fernanda Figuerido (Brazil), and Darn Thorn (UK).

Fire Station Artists’ Studios, located in Dublin’s north inner city, currently provides nine residential studio spaces for visual artists. The studio residencies are open to all practicing visual artists who can apply for a studio residency through an open call application process. Selected artists can live here for up to two years and nine months, but international artists can apply for shorter periods. The selection process is competitive and artists are typically selected at least eight months in advance of a studio becoming available. Studio rent is subsidised and includes all utilities, waste disposal, parking, internet access, full use of high end computers in the Resource Centre as well as access to digital equipment and the Sculpture Workshop. Full details on the studios are outlined on the Fire Station website: www.firestation.ie/studios