Portrait of the artist as a victim of the unkindest cut of all
For some, key aspects of programming are affected, for many there will be serious staffing and planning repercussions, and for quite a few it will be the final straw leaving them with no option but to fold.
All sectors of Irish society are facing challenging times at the moment, but we cannot believe that proper cognisance was given to the impact of these cuts.
For many years now the serious under-funding of a sector critical to the development of Irish life has been acknowledged. To make do with a small increase or a standstill grant by Government to the Arts Council would have been challenging enough. To have to deal now with a cut of 8% is totally unacceptable.
There is no logic in a cut of 4m in arts funding by Government. There is even less logic in the variety of decisions subsequently made by the Arts Council.
Artists have, and are, suffering. Audiences will suffer.
An integral part of Irish society is being seriously affected.
Monica Spencer,
Daghdha Dance.
Garry Hynes,
Druid Theatre Co.
Fergus Linehan,
Dublin Theatre Festival.
Michael Colgan,
Gate Theatre.
Gerry Godley,
Improvised Music Co.
John Kelly,
Irish Chamber Orchestra.
Martin Murphy,
Team Educational Theatre Co.
Jerome Hynes,
Wexford Festival Opera
