NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTS AIMS TO PRESENT PETITION OF 10,000 SIGNATURES TO GOVERNMENT
November 2009 - The National Campaign for the Arts is looking for 10,000 signatories for its online petition calling for the maintenance of current levels of funding to the Arts Council as well as full representation of the arts at senior cabinet level. The petition, which has already been signed by over 5,000 people, is to be presented to Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, prior to budget day on Wednesday 9 December 2009.
The Campaign, which launched in late September, asserts that the arts are fundamental to Ireland’s economic recovery and notes that thousands of arts workers and others will be out of a job should funding levels to the Arts Council be dramatically reduced.
Tania Banotti of Theatre Forum, the organization which has spearheaded the Campaign, states, “The extensive impact of the arts on the Irish economy can not be under-estimated. Recent economic reports have shown that nearly 27,000 jobs are created through the arts and that this sector plays a significant influential role across all creative industries. Funding the arts in Ireland is not solely about supporting an outlet for our society’s creative expression or maintaining an industry for which we’ve gained a glowing global reputation. It’s about investing in the future of our country.”
Speaking about this campaign, Hugh Murray, manager of Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, urged all Kildare residents to log on and support this petition, ‘Arts and culture play a vital role in all towns and villages throughout Ireland. It is important to make the government realise that people in Newbridge, Naas and throughout Kildare want to maintain a high quality arts sector in the county.’
Those interested can sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/ncfa/petition.html or find out further information about the National Campaign for the Arts on www.ncfa.ie