Madam, – With all the discussions regarding ongoing funding of the arts in Ireland and the interrelated discussions about Irish branding through the arts, hasn’t the time come to review the “how” of funding the arts in Ireland?
Given the developments in the arts and the skills and knowledge acquired by the permanent officials in the Department of Arts since its creation by the brilliant Michael D Higgins TD, isn’t it time to consider absorbing or merging the Arts Council with its parent department?
The Arts Council has to respond each year to the parent department and the Department of Finance as well as the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Given the numerically small population in this State, shouldn’t we now look at best value and funding for practising artists and direct the bulk of our arts expenditure towards them and utilise the skills, knowledge and proven administrative skills of the Department of Arts and, by reducing administration costs, transfer that funding to the practising artist, thereby achieving a greater degree of direct arts support? – Yours, etc,