The Arts Council of Ireland has published a new strategy for the board. It offers goals for the period of 2006 to 2010, and was presented to Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue. The Partnership for the Arts was created from discussions with the arts community over the past year, and contains an action plan to be put in place by the Council. The Council hopes to secure funding of €100 million by 2008, and has previously seen a healthy increase of funding over the past few years. O’Donoghue, said: “I am deeply committed to making the case for the arts at Government level. I have allocated €72.3 million to the Arts Council, an increase of 18.5% - in addition to recent supplementary funding of €5.23 million - to carry out your work in 2006”. Ms Braiden, Chair of the Arts Council said: “Partnership for the Arts sets out a framework of values, principles and goals that will guide the Arts Council in its work. The document is grounded in our values and in our remit from Government. It draws on our professional expertise and reflection but most importantly from what we have learned from our discussions with members of the arts community and others about the key challenges facing the arts. It recognises that the life of an artist is one of constant change. This document is a framework which will allow us to adapt to this changing landscape, while setting clear goals and objectives”. For more information, CLICK HERE.