#ArtsDeptNow

Irish arts, culture & heritage needs adequate funding & a dedicated government Department

To: Minister Heather Humphreys

Give arts, culture and heritage the respect it deserves by creating an independent Department and setting a funding target of 0.6% of GDP (the EU average spend on arts/culture). Ireland has one of the lowest levels of public support in the EU.

Why is this important?
Ireland has one of the lowest level of public funding and support for arts and culture in all of Europe. Successive Irish governments claim to honour and take pride in our rich cultural heritage, celebrated artists and world-class artistic achievements but consistently fail to nurture and support the creative community.

The Arts, Culture and Heritage communities have suffered disproportionately under the last government. The impact in the sector, on jobs, community and education as well as on our international reputation has not been assessed in any credible way by the incoming government.

We demand

a) an independent adequately resourced Department is created

b) a commitment to raising funding the arts, cultural and heritage sector to European average of 0.6%

c) publication of a national cultural policy that has the endorsement of the community.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION