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Gnáthamharc

Arts Promotion.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 May 2008

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

Ceisteanna (35)

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

106 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if local arts partnerships have been piloted here running similar to local sports partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17665/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

It is my belief that the arts are critical to the well-being of society, enhancing the life of local communities, and giving artistic expression to place and identity. Much work has been done to develop the arts at a local level, not necessarily based on the Local Sports Partnerships, which are a specific model of practice. The Arts Council, An Chomhairle Ealaíon, which is funded by the Department, has worked strategically with local authorities for 23 years in developing the arts at local level and the focus was more on embedding arts expertise at the heart of the local authority service. Each of the 34 local authorities in Ireland employs a full-time Arts Officer. In many instances local authorities lead in providing a broader Arts Service, employing several specialist arts staff in addition to the Arts Officer.

Throughout this time the Arts Council has enjoyed a unique partnership with local authorities in developing the arts and cultural landscape at local level throughout the country. Originating in 1985 with a strategy to place professional arts expertise directly within the local authority, this has been an area of exponential growth and development over the past two decades.

In 2007 Local Authorities, spent in excess of €36m on the arts, demonstrating the huge commitment that is being made at local level to arts development. Under a provision of the Arts Act 2003, local authorities are required to prepare and implement plans for the development of the arts within their functional areas and, in so doing, to take account of government policies on the arts. Many local authorities had already established a track record in planning for the arts and, in several cases, are now on their third such strategy.

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