One of this Government's top priorities from its first day in office has been the promotion of the national identity abroad through arts, culture and heritage. This year in particular, Culture Ireland is spearheading Imagine Ireland, a special initiative to promote Irish arts in America, comprising some 1,200 Irish artists in more than 500 events across more than 40 US States.
Culture Ireland promotes our identity by mounting showcases and promotional missions at key international festivals and arts markets through the year and by operating a quarterly funding scheme for Irish arts events and projects abroad. It manages strategic initiatives in response to Government priorities, adding value to Presidential and Government Visits and St Patrick's Day initiatives and coordinating with other State Agencies on cross-promotion of arts events abroad. It also partners with resource organisations such as the Irish Film Institute and Ireland Literature Exchange to deliver targeted global promotion for each art form.
Since my appointment as Minister, in addition to Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland's key showcases and promotions have included: in March, Irish music at South by Southwest Festival, Austin, Texas; in May, Irish dance at the Dublin Dance Festival and Irish film at the Cannes Festival; in August, the Venice Architecture Biennale and Irish theatre, dance, music and literature at the Edinburgh Festivals; and this month, Irish theatre at the Dublin Theatre Festival, Irish literature at Frankfurt Book Fair and Irish traditional music at Womex World Music Expo in Copenhagen.
Question No. 296 answered with Question No. 289.