Call for reform of 'unfair' arts scheme
Councillors clashed on the 2006 arts grants allocations, announced last week, amid claims that some "pet projects" have come to almost expect funding every year.
The "unfair system" has led to other arts groups not getting their fair share, Cllrs Mick O'Connell (Labour) and Cllr Terry Shannon (FF) said.
They called for a complete revamp of the system through which the arts are funded.
"It's nearly harder to get on the list, than off the list," Mr O'Connell said.
"The money is not looked upon as a grant by some groups. It's looked upon as an income."
The 2006 allocations were ratified at a council meeting last week.
A total of €351,100 will be distributed to professional arts organisations, and community and voluntary groups over the coming weeks.
The big winners were the Everyman Palace Theatre, who will receive €30,000, and the Everyman Palace Studio, which got no city funding last year but this year gets €8,000.
For the second year in a row, Cork Opera House got no funding.
Groups who received funding last year were notified by the council in December that grant aid for 2006 was available - if they met a strict set of qualifying criteria.
Applicants had to provide details on artistic, strategic and operational policies, spending controls and on other sources of income.
Mr O'Connell said the money was distributed in an almost parochial way.
"A lot of money is being given out but I don't know what the mechanism is," he added.
Mr Shannon said a fairer system of distribution should be put in place.
"Pet projects do get the nod. Others might not be getting a fair crack of the whip," he added.
The system was strongly defended, however, by councillors on the city council's arts committee.
Its chairman, Cllr Ciaran Lynch, said people should welcome the extra €50,000 distributed this year.
"What this funding will do is ensure that the work and momentum we saw during Cork's European City of Culture is maintained," he said.
"Community art groups, dance and music groups, and local theatre groups have all benefited from the funding.
"It is vitally important that groups like this are able to carry out their work, engaging with local people and making the arts accessible to all.
"The grants, which cover the broad range of artistic activity in the city, have been awarded to groups such as Ballyphehane Arts Group, Cork Textile Network, Cork Youth International Film and Video Arts Festival and Togher Festival of Amateur Photography."
Cllr Mairín Quill said city officials go through all grant applications with a fine tooth comb.
"The city's arts officer, one of the most professional arts officers we've had, brings all applications to the arts committee with a list of what they want and what they've done," she said.
"There are no pet projects on the radar when assessing their eligibility and the suitability."
She said the arts office does an incredible job advising arts groups on their applications.
There were also big winners in the community and voluntary sector.
The Cork Youth Film and Video Group was awarded a €4,000 grant and funding for the Ballyphehane Togher Community Arts Craft Initiative was doubled this year to €2,000.
:
* The Triskel Arts Centre: €14,000, up from €12,500 last year.
* Cork Community Artlink: €14,200, the same as last year.
* Cork Film Festival: €29,500, up from €28,850 last year.
* Cork Folk Festival: €11,500, up from €9,500 last year.
* Cork International Choral Festival: €20,000, up from €18,000 last year.
* Cork Film Centre: €14,000, up from €12,000 last year.
* Munster Literature Centre: €18,600, the same as last year.
* Corcadorca Theatre Company: €17,500, up from €13,500 last year.
* Everyman Palace Theatre: €30,000, the same as last year.
* Graffiti €15,000, up from €11,000 last year.
* National Sculpture Factory: €17,500, up from €14,000.
* Tig Filí: €15,000, up from €8,800 last year.
