Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Apr 1995

Vol. 452 No. 1

Written Answers. - Community Arts Projects.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

13 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the number of community arts projects funded during each of the years 1990 to 1994; the number of jobs created in community arts projects during each of those years; the proposals, if any, he has for further long term job creation in the community arts sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7716/95]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

During the years 1990-1994 An Chomhairle Ealaíon, the body with primary responsibility for community arts, has funded many projects in this area under four principal headings, professional community arts resource organisations; artists in the community projects; arts festivals and policy and training. Details of the project for the years 1990 to 1993 are available in the annual reports of An Chomhairle for those years and the 1994 report will be published later this year.

It is estimated by An Chomhairle Ealaíon that the total number of jobs created in community arts was as follows: 1990 — 15 jobs; 1991 — 21 jobs; 1992 — 22 jobs; 1993 — 31 jobs; 1994 — 41.

I should stress that these figures are full-time equivalent jobs, as many jobs in the arts are not permanent and it is more usual for artists to work on contract for the duration of a particular project.

In addition to the above activities promoted by An Chomhairle Ealaíon, I decided to provide funding of £84,500 last year for two community arts projects which fall outside the conventional support structures for the arts, £75,000 of this amount went to the group CAFE — Creative Arts for Everyone — and was in respect of a community intervention to promote arts awareness in centres for the unemployed. The objective of this intervention was to provide opportunities for practical involvement in a number of arts activities for people who are unlikely to have had any direct contact with the arts, either through the educational system or in their early adult years. The funds were utilised to organise 12 taster/research pilot sessions with experienced performers/ practitioners in various art forms in recognised centres for the unemployed. An allocation of £9,500 was also made by me last year to the Westside Unemployment Centre, Galway, to fund twice weekly workshops for 28 unemployed persons.

I am awaiting an evaluation of these activities and will be happy to consider further funding for similar initiatives in 1995 on the basis of this evaluation and within the limits of available resources.