European arts grants are being wasted

At a recent public meeting held in Ballinacurra, Midleton, Co. Cork a question was raised regarding the waste of money on art sculptures in the town of Midleton and surrounding areas. 

Sinn Fein councillor, Sean Buckley correctly said that there was nothing that could be done as the European grant was given for that reason and, could not be spent on anything else. This is true to a point.

The money is given to help promote artistic talent and the feathers put up on the outskirts of Ballinacurra was, as far as I am concerned, the greatest waste of money on artistic talents I have ever seen, especially on grounds that could have been used as a miniature skating park or play area for our youth.

To show real depth of artistic talent would be to design a skate park or play area that incorporated the artistic feathers or other such artistic designs possible and, in such a way that would not only explore the deepest depths of artistic talent that exists in our country but, in such a way that could also accommodate other facilities. The grant for art projects is then being spent entirely on promoting artistic talents in creating something that can also be used for enjoyment and pleasure activities.

To disregard what I have suggested, would be an insult to those who are capable of creating art. The next time hundreds of thousands are given to promote art projects in the country; why not throw that idea out to all the budding sculptors? That is is what you call thinking outside of the box.

Christy Carr

Ballinacurra

Midleton

Co. Cork