VAI and NCFA Addressing Current Challenges Facing the Arts Sector

VAI and NCFA are working closely to devise a campaign to mobilise the growing solidarity in the arts community in response to recent departmental changes in government.

Visual Artists Ireland and the National Campaign for the Arts are aware that this does not only effect the 20,000 or more arts workers, it concerns all citizens who engage, participate, and experience arts and culture – the whole of Irish society. Ireland remains bottom of the European league table for Arts funding and we are committed to working with government and the arts community to find a way to improve support for the sector.

Your support and your voice will be vital in the coming days, weeks and months.

Some recent media coverage:

National press:
Irish Times – Recognising the arts at the Cabinet table
http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/editorial/recognising-the-arts-at-the-cabinet-table-1.2644242

Irish Times – Artists Threaten Strike Action
http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/art-and-design/artists-threaten-strike-action-over-funding-cuts-1.2653834

Irish Times – Recognising the arts at the Cabinet table
http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/editorial/recognising-the-arts-at-the-cabinet-table-1.2644242#.VzSI68HaS5p.twitter

Irish Independent – Lip service and neglect – our official arts policy
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/martina-devlin/lip-service-and-neglect-our-official-arts-policy-34734404.html

Irish Examiner – Artists Led the Rising, Yet Witless Governments Kill Off Art
http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/columnists/gerard-howlin/revolutionary-artists-led-the-rising-yet-witless-governments-kill-off-art-400072.html

Hotpress Magazine – Arts Community Holds Meeting With Government Over Taoiseach’s Remarks
http://www.hotpress.com/Enda-Kenny/news/Arts-Community-Holds-Meeting-With-Government-Over-Taoiseachs-Remarks/17232170.html

Online:
Arts Management.ie:
Get In Formation – Irish Arts and Heritage Rising
https://artsmanagement.ie/2016/05/18/get-in-formation-irish-arts-heritage-rising/
A New Irish Ministry For The Arts or Through a Hedge Backwards
https://artsmanagement.ie/2016/05/09/a-new-irish-ministry-for-the-arts-or-through-a-hedge-backwards/

Petition – Irish Arts, Culture and Heritage Need Adequate Funding and a Dedicated Government Department (ongoing, over 13,000 signatories to date)
https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/restore-the-department-of-arts-culture-and-heritage-as-a-stand-alone-department

John O’Brien – When To Not Follow The Money
https://obriencreativeconsultants.wordpress.com/2016/05/18/when-to-not-follow-the-money/

Radio:
Newstalk – Heather Humphreys argues “the order of words in department title” won’t be important
http://www.newstalk.com/Heahter-Humphreys-argues-commitments-to-funding-will-prove-more-important-than-the-order-of-words-in-department-title

Director Lenny Abrahamson on RTE’s Morning Ireland where he spoke to the need for sustained and further investment in Irish, Arts, Culture, Heritage
http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradiowebpage.html#!rii=9:20990538:48:19-05-2016:

Artist Robert Ballagh spoke about the need for Government to invest seriously and sustainably in Irish Arts, Culture, Heritage on Newstalk 106-108 fm
http://www.newstalk.com/listen_back/7/27467/19th_May_2016_-_Lunchtime_Part_2/