Members of the Arts Council and the executive meet with the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs

On the 11 March, Mary Cloake, Director; Pat Moylan, Chairman; Alan Stanford and Philip King, Members of the Arts Council met with the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The subject up for discussion was arts funding, and particularly maintaining arts funding during the economic downturn.

This was the first time that Pat Moylan, the new chairman had met with members of the joint committee.  Ms Moylan spoke of the 'power of the arts to promote social cohesion and an equitable society'; it was enthused upon the committee how supporting the arts makes economic sense, using the Galway Arts Festival's success as just one example of the wealth generating potential of the arts. 

Mr King impressed upon the committee the importance of harnessing the potential of cultural tourism in Ireland. He spoke of the wonderful resource we have in our arts, stating that '... it speaks eloquently to ourselves and those outside the country who want to visit us'.

Mr Stanford, told the committee that 'art in this country is not a luxury', and stressed that it is the right of every citizen to be exposed and to partake in art.  He spoke of the importance of the arts to express who we are, what we have done and what we're capable of achieving.  

Other topics up for discussion were, touring, tax exemption and the percentage for arts scheme.

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