Detailed breakdown of Arts funding in Budget 2010

We started it but you did it. You flash mobbed, organised local meetings, signed the petition, made films, and most importantly you wrote and met your politicians. You have helped the arts in Ireland. Thank you.

We achieved a lot in short time. The worst of the proposals in the McCarthy Report have been avoided today.

Here’s the initial news about the Budget and the arts:

• Both the Film Board and Culture Ireland have not been abolished, or merged with another entity.
• The Arts Council budget next year is €69 million, a cut of 5.6%. This is a lot less than we had feared and is testament to the efforts of everyone in the campaign.

However, because the Arts Council’s budget was cut in the supplementary budget in March, but they opted not to pass on this cut mid year, we understand they spent approximately €2.4 million of the 2010 grant in 2009. This means they will have approximately €6.5 million less to spend in 2010. This will have a significant impact on artists and arts organisations.

You can read our press statement with reaction from members of the campaign here.

The National Campaign plans to continue the fight in 2010. Our taska are:

• to build a political and public mandate for support for the arts;
• to underline the role and impact of the arts and culture in the country.

Thank you for all your support. We’ll be in touch.