Irish Examiner view: To 'Save the Arts' it’s time to act imaginatively

Members of the arts sector recount the emotional and financial toll of not being able to earn.

Last October, when Budget 2020 was published, the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) said it was “devastated”, declaring the sector was being left behind.

The NGO, which represents 1,000 artists and arts bodies, anticipated a 15% rise in funding in line with a government commitment to double it within seven years. Campaign chairwoman Angela Dorgan said the increase in the Arts Council budget from €75m to €80m felt “like a standstill”.