Forum for Music in Ireland

Dear Members,

Please find the latest news from Tania Banotti on the National Campaign for the Arts. The Forum for Music in Ireland has contributed to the fundraising effort for the Campaign and we support their excellent work.

(From Tania)

The National Campaign for the Arts met with Minister Martin Cullen on 25th November.

The delegation consisted of Sarah Glennie, Director of the Irish Film Institute, Gerry Godley, Director of the Improvised Music Company, Fiach MacConghail, Director of the Abbey Theatre and myself.

The Minister is back at work after a few weeks absence and we were one of the first groups into see him, which is a good sign of the seriousness with which the campaign is being taken.

We had a positive meeting. We introduced the campaign. We explained how all art forms have come together for the first time and that the campaign represents 20,000 people; we presented the Minister with a full list of members. We also delivered the petition, a huge weighty tome of over 10,000 signatures. Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen!

We talked about the goals of the campaign, e.g. importance of the Film Board and Culture Ireland, the vital role the Arts Council plays in the whole arts ecology etc. We discussed the grassroots campaign which has taken place around the country in recent weeks; he is aware of the poster campaign in Waterford for e.g.

The Minister indicated that no agency would be cut disproportionately which we took to mean that % cuts to the Culture Ireland, Film Board, Arts Council etc will all be broadly similar.

The Commission on Taxation's recommendation to abolish the artists tax exemption is an issue. No decision has been taken and different options such as income spreading over a number of years are being considered.
 
We will continue to keep up the pressure until Budget Day on Dec 9th.  We will update you all ASAP on Budget day, as soon as the picture for the arts becomes clear.

In the meantime there have been some great initiatives around the country including  a flash mob on the streets of Cork that has gone viral with an amazing 36,000 hits on You-tube, A terrific poster campaign in Waterford which brings to life the human side of the story and a very professional video made by the film and theatre community in Louth about their value to the county.

 
Tania Banotti
National Campaign for the Arts

If you would like to follow the National Campaign for the Arts you can check out their website: http://www.ncfa.ie/