The demand for arts funding continues to outpace the increasing amount of money that has been made available to Arts Council Ireland over the past number of years. The Council has received applications from over 400 arts organisations for 2007, and says that demand for 2007 is running at double the amount of money that was available for grant-giving in 2006. “These organisations are seeking a funding total of more than €78 million from the Arts Council during the course of the next year,” said Ms Olive Braiden, the chair of the Council. “Also, a total of 140 applicants for one-off projects (are) seeking in excess of €5.8million; the 34 local authorities around the country and Údaras na Gaeltachta have asked us for over €4.9 million; and The Abbey Theatre, as part of an exceptional three-year arrangement offered by the Arts Council in 2006, is to receive €8.5 million in 2007.” Add to this the demand for the various bursaries, awards, projects and schemes that the Council expects to receive in 2007, and Braiden says it faces a total demand of €120 million for 2007. It had a total of €58 million to award in 2006. Ms Braiden acknowledged that the Council had been fortunate to receive growing amounts of funding from the government, but said that we are still trying to redress underinvestment in the past. “The sector has historically lacked adequate resources and adequate recognition and increases are needed . . . because artists and arts organisations are working well below their optimum capacity,” she said. “By the end of 2007, we will have in excess of 2000 applications but will probably only be able to fund a third of those,” predicted Ms Mary Cloake, director of the Arts Council. “Therefore, the innovation and ideas coming forward from within the arts community cannot be supported or realised due to lack of resources.” Ms Cloake also said that an increase in funding would increase the viability and productivity of the arts community. “If funding were to increase by 20% or 30%, the arts sector could double its output. Many performing arts organisations can only produce one show a year, but given fixed costs and an increase in funding of between 20% and 30%, they could produce two shows a year. An increase in funding would be very good value for the economy.” For more information, CLICK HERE