The Department supports a broad range of National Cultural Institutions as part of its goal to support and develop engagement with, and in arts, culture and creativity by individuals and communities thereby enriching lives through cultural activity. Under its current Statement of Strategy (2021 to 2023), the Department includes two high-level strategies which relate to the National Cultural Institutions:
- To support our agencies and National Cultural Institutions in providing a high quality cultural offering to the public; and
- To future proof our national collections to ensure they are available to future generations.
As part of its delivery of these high-level strategies, the Department provides annual capital funding to the Abbey Theatre and current and capital funding to the other National Cultural Institutions. The Abbey Theatre receives its annual current funding from the Arts Council.
Legislative underpinning for the National Cultural Institutions comes from the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997, while Part 3 of the Heritage Fund Act 2001 provides for the establishment and operation of a Council for the National Cultural Institutions Act. The membership of that Council includes the Directors/Chief Executives of the following institutions and includes the Abbey Theatre:
- National Museum of Ireland;
- National Library of Ireland;
- National Gallery of Ireland;
- Irish Museum of Modern Art;
- National Archives;
- National Concert Hall;
- Chester Beatty Library;
- Abbey Theatre;
- Arts Council; and
- Heritage Council
It is considered that the inclusion of the Abbey Theatre and Arts Council as part of the Council ensure that the broad range of art forms are represented on the Council. The Department, within its overall legislative and policy responsibility to support the arts and culture in Ireland, continues to maintain this under review.
I should also point out that in line with the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and, in view of its important role in providing a national stage for the Irish-medium performance arts, An Taibhdhearc is provided with an annual administration grant of €320,000 from my Department’s Irish Language Division to develop and promote its activities.
