Too much artistic licence at Aosdána

The annual general assembly of Aosdána this week, and the conduct of its affairs in private, should prompt a reforming response from the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan.

Established by Charles Haughey in 1981, Aosdána behaves as a secret society, with no obligation towards public accountability. It has no public mandate, other than the distribution of tax-free stipends to recipients it chooses. This year, €2.6m of taxpayers’ money is being paid to 157 artists, comprising 60% of Aosdána membership.

Many of these artists are unknown to the public, and many others are elderly and past their creative prime. Their stipends are paid to ‘honour’ past accomplishments; not to stimulate new output, nor engage with society. Earnings from works of art are exempt from income tax.