€150,000 for cultural activities abroad

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue has approved funding of €148,960 to support Irish cultural and artistic activities abroad, on recommendations from the Cultural Relations Committee (CRC).

The CRC is a voluntary body appointed by the Minister that recommends how funds should be allocated to Irish artists who want to either work, or have their work shown, abroad.

Events to receive funding include - Sydney Biennial, an exhibition of the work of a professional Irish artist - €25,000, Theatre Shop's participation in an Annual Conference in New York - €8,000, Irish Chamber Orchestra Performances in London in September - €5,000, International Poet's Festival in Israel - Mishkenot Sha'ananim €6,000 and Stray Dog Productions - €3,000 for theatrical performances in New York.

The Minister said: "The international dimension of the arts and its capacity to create connections with other countries is an important aspect of my Department's work. It is an area which I intend to develop going into the future."