Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
134. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current status of Action 7.3 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which her Department is responsible), regarding the Business to Arts programme funding LGBTI+ artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34701/23]
View answerBusiness to Arts is an independent organisation with a strong record of achievement in encouraging sponsorship and support from the business community for the arts. Their annual awards scheme seeks to highlight inspirational examples of creativity, artistic achievement, social inclusion and community benefits that are obtained with support from the business community. My Department currently provides supports to Business to Arts in relation to advancing philanthropy and sustainability of cultural organisations. The possibility to expand the annual Awards scheme to recognise LGBTI+ related work and other themes is being considered. The introduction of any specially themed award would require a sustainable framework, a satisfactory procedure for nominations and assessment, and a significant volume of themed output annually that would ensure high quality and meaningful competition.
