Symphony for the Restless, Macnas, 2014; (Photo: Liam Carroll)
The strategic context for the Arts Council’s support of street performance and spectacle and all other artforms and areas of arts practice is set out in Making Great Art Work: Arts Council Strategy (2016 –2025) (PDF, 3.29 MB). It describes how we will lead the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade. Our strategy has five priority areas: the artist; public engagement; investment strategy; spatial and demographic planning; and developing capacity. Current Circus, Street Performance and Spectacle Policy is aligned to the key objectives and desired outcomes of Making Great Art Work and can be viewed here: Circus, Street Arts and Spectacle Policy and Strategy 2018 (PDF, 0.514 MB).
Opportunities provided through this artform
The Council acknowledges the significance of street performance and spectacle having the ability to engage with large audiences in unique and distinctive settings. The Arts Council also recognises the opportunities provided through this artform to create experimental partnerships, especially with festivals, and to work with other artform professionals to create new and original work. The Arts Council is committed to supporting organisations involved in the presentation of high quality work in this area.