THE AMERICAN economist John Kenneth Galbraith once noted that “all races have produced notable economists, with the exception of the Irish who doubtless can protest their devotion to the arts”. That devotion seems to spring to life at about this time of year when a book of poetry might be seen being presented along with the shamrock or one of our writers quoted in a St Patrick’s Day speech.
In the coming days, as we approach the national holiday, we may well hear much acclamation for our creativity and how it has become a beacon, reminding the world that, while the economy might be on its knees, the Irish imagination is still working its magic.
Only five years ago there was loud welcome for the initiative to set up Culture Ireland as an overdue opportunity to raise the profile of Irish arts abroad, but also as a means of ensuring the vital principle of “arm’s length” policy, keeping decisions from direct political influence. The new agency has successfully achieved both aims and in doing so has established itself as a brand, not on the scale of the British Council or Goethe Institute, but nonetheless making a significant impact through sending Irish artists abroad. Effectively it has become the export body for Irish culture.
Now its future independence appears threatened and the new era in cultural diplomacy which it represented might become a thing of the past. The extent to which the agency is to be dismantled through its incorporation into the Department of Arts is not yet known, but this piece of “rationalisation” has been signalled by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin, who seems determined to go through with it. The rationale behind it, like the proposal to amalgamate several cultural institutions, still needs some explaining along with details of the precise savings to be generated.
The role of our literature and music, films and performing arts in stimulating an interest in the country is a potent one. It also determines how others perceive us at a time when many aspects of our national image have been tarnished. The agency’s effectiveness in strengthening Ireland’s cultural reputation at a rather modest cost – its annual budget has been about €4 million – makes its own case. The autonomous or “arms length” status of Culture Ireland was a progressive advance on its predecessor – a cultural relations committee within the Department of Foreign Affairs which, while it served its purpose, was never a satisfactory model. Now it looks like the Minister is about to undo all that.