Irish Aerial Creation Centre; Marilén Ribot as part of Island Connect Photo: Jym Daly

The strategic context for the Arts Council’s support of international arts and all other areas of arts practice is set out in Making Great Art Work: Arts Council Strategy (2016 – 2025). 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 International Arts Policy is aligned to the key objectives and desired outcomes of Making Great Art Work (MGAW) and can be viewed here: International Arts Policy.  

MGAW Arts Council Strategy 2016 – 2025 sets an explicit commitment to strengthen Ireland’s international standing as a leader in the arts. To this purpose the Arts Council recognises the value of international practice and relations and supports those who pursue such opportunities. In practice, through its International Arts framework the Arts Council sets to deliver a more effective alignment of supports aimed at national and international activities delivered by artists and organisations based in Ireland. MGAW acknowledges the reality that, for many artists, work conducted in local, national and international context often is part of a single eco-system and an integral part of a sustainable professional practice. 

In line with the Arts Council’s remit, the primary directive is centred on the development of the national arts sector and to the benefit of people living in Ireland. The policy is cognisant of the division of roles and competencies with other State Agencies such as Culture Ireland. It actively seeks to build on existing partnership initiatives and create new complementary synergies to maximise the impact of public investments in the arts.