The National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) has called on Minister Heather Humphreys to submit the long-awaited national cultural policy, Culture 2025, to the Joint Committee for Arts, where it can be discussed and finalised on an all-party basis.
The policy can then be adopted by plenary vote in the Dáil.
The NCFA is seeking the Minister's commitment to this inclusive, democratic approach on the same basis as the recent proposal by the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, that a ten-year national health policy should be developed on an all-party basis by Oireachtas.
The groundswell of support in recent days suggests that a majority exists in the 32nd Dáil for such an approach. The NCFA has stated that they look forward to working with Minister Humphreys, the Government, and with all parties in the Dáil to construct such a majority to agree, resource and implement a national cultural policy for the next decade that is fit for purpose and worthy of the aspirations of the nation, its founders and its citizens.
Ireland remains at the bottom of the European League for Government Investment in Culture and the Arts. Council of Europe data shows that in 2012 Ireland spent just 0.11% of GDP on the Arts and Culture, compared to a European average of 0.6% of GDP.
For every €1 invested by the Arts Council, more than €0.70 returns directly to the exchequer in taxes. For a net cost of €0.30, Arts Council investment generates €2.50 in turnover, more than an eight-fold return on investment. An estimated 21,500 people are employed in the Irish Arts and Culture sector currently.
Established in 2009 as a response to the McCarthy Report, The National Campaign for the Arts is a nationwide, volunteer-led, grass roots movement that makes the case for the Arts in Ireland. The NCFA’s pre-election manifesto included calls on the government to:
- Commit to increasing annual investment in Arts and Culture to 0.3% of GDP, taking Ireland half way to the European average
- Publish the cultural policy document Culture 2025 in draft form for interrogation by the Oireachtas Arts Committee
- Maintain on an annual basis, the €50 million allocated to the Department of Arts for 2016 commemorations, and ring-fence it for The Arts Council and The Irish Film Board
- Implement tax efficiencies/strategies to stimulate corporate and philanthropic giving
- Create a new Arts fund from National Lottery funds
- Appoint an expert panel of Artists/Cultural Managers to function as Policy and Strategy Advisors to the Minister and the Department
For more details, visit the NCFA website.
