Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
13 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of direct and or indirect funding for the arts at local level; if sufficient emphasis is placed on incentivising local performing groups; if such groups are directly supported in their efforts to secure or upgrade premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27108/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. I am continuing to work towards this goal with my Department and the agencies within its remit, and I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for the arts sector.
The State appreciates and values the contribution the arts sector makes to the internationally renowned artistic reputation of this country. Within the current economic constraints, such investment in the arts, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of the sector and their potential for assisting with cultural tourism initiatives.
I was pleased to recently launch The Philanthropy Leverage Initiative. This initiative, established with funding of €230,000 for 2012, is designed to encourage philanthropic sponsorship and endowment funding of the arts from private sources. The scheme aims to promote support for the arts from private sources and to unlock 2 to 5 times the funding put up by the taxpayer. The Philanthropy Leverage Initiative will provide an incentive to arts organisations to proactively seek new and multi-annual relationships with sponsors which deliver private sector financial support, thereby increasing overall funding available to the arts. The initiative will be available across projects of varying scale, geography and art forms. The Leverage Initiative will run in parallel with a second initiative — the Philanthropy Capacity Building Initiative — which is operated by the Arts Council.
Capital investment in cultural infrastructure has greatly improved access to and participation in the arts for large numbers of people nationwide. Facilities funded include integrated arts centres, theatres, galleries, studios and creative and performance spaces. In this manner, my Department provided the bulk of capital funding for buildings and refurbishing arts facilities around the country, mainly in the not for profit sector, while the Arts Council provides the ongoing revenue support for many of the facilities.
In terms of indirect funding, my Department, in conjunction with the Arts Council, has developed an initiative calledCulturefox, which is a free promotional medium for arts and culture events. Culturefox is both a website and an “app”, and is available to all arts and culture practitioners at national, regional and at local levels. It is free to use for promoters and consumers alike.
As the Deputy is aware, I also forwarded details to him on 25 April last of financial assistance provided to bodies/groups over the period since the establishment of my Department on 2 June 2011.
