The Arts Council of Ireland has published the first of a series of pamphlets designed to encourage public debate on the value of the arts. Council Chair Olive Braiden said that the pamphlets would mark the beginning of “a programme of debate at local level.” “We hope people will read the pamphlets and participate in this debate to highlight the value of the arts.” Braiden also called on the government to provide more funding. “The arts have done reasonably well over the past number of years. However, for the arts to reach the breakthrough we think they so richly deserve, we are pushing for funding of €100 million for disbursement to the arts community in 2008,” she said. “This funding would be an excellent investment and would stabilise the arts sector in Ireland for the first time in its life. We call on the incoming Government to make this commitment to the arts in their Programme for Government.” For more information, CLICK HERE