Dear colleagues,
It’s the end of what many people regard as a historic week. Listening to Taoiseach Michéal Martin and Minister Paschal Donohoe cite the arts prominently in their various post Budget speeches made for stirring moments. So many of you have spent so many decades advocating for the demonstration of support as shown in the funding increase that was awarded this week. This seismic step forward is a huge tribute to your tenacity and to the wells of intellectual and imaginative energy that you have devoted to advocating for the place of the arts in Irish society. Congratulations to you all. It’s so good to see this finally bear fruit!
With this investment we can now plan for a truly optimistic future and we can further build in values of security, dignity, equality and diversity at the heart of this fine profession. In doing this, we’ll be consulting closely with you and working with you to ensure that we achieve the best possible result for the whole community and for the public.
Notwithstanding the current complex challenges facing us all, exciting times lie ahead — we look forward to your continued co-operation and support. Let us together show how intrinsically valuable and reliable we are as a sector and maintain the momentum of this increased faith in us.
I hope you all have a good weekend.
— Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council
Friday 16 October