NCFA Pre-Budget E-blast – Action Required

In 2012, the National Campaign for the Arts worked hard to make a compelling and persuasive case for the arts. We directly informed politicians and public representatives across parties and independents, gathering considerable momentum. We contributed to public debate, now a matter of public record, in the Seanad and the Dail, and made a presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. 

Now we look to 2013, where we know our work will be cut out for us on local turf the length and breadth of the country. And in the context of The Gathering and the EU Presidency, what is local will play out nationally and internationally. That work begins with Budget 2013. 

Campaign Message – Budget 2013

We call on Minister Deenihan to protect the allocation of funding for the arts achieved through the Arts Council, Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland, and Minister Phil Hogan to protect Local Authority funding. Concerted action by our membership in the next three weeks is critical. Each one of you has a role to play.

Influence decision makers in your constituency and local authority area. 

Action 1 – Email your TDs now.

• Take 30 seconds now to email TDs in your constituency and the Senators on the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. Email to ask your TD or Senator to lobby Minister Deenihan and Minister Hogan to minimize the cuts and maximize their support for the funding agency or authority involved in this success story and others in your local area.
• Then forward this NCFA newsletter to friends and colleagues asking them to do the same.

Action 2 – Directly lobby your local representatives.

• There are four Fridays left before Budget 2013. Get out there and meet your public representatives in their constituency offices. Check in with your local Constituency Coordinator to seek a meeting as a group.
• Highlight the arts or venue success story in your community which receives public funding.
• Make sure they know you counting on them to represent your voice to the respective Ministers on the allocation of funds to Arts Council and Local Authorities.
• Did your TD already speak in support of the arts in the Dail on June 26th & 27th? Check here.
• Tell us what you are doing and who you have met.

Your campaigning is vital.

FOCUS on your constituency and local authority area. ACT now. INFLUENCE the decision makers. 

An updated list of Constituency Coordinators can be found here. If you are interested in representing one of the Constituency’s as an NCFA Coordinator, please get in touch louise@ncfa.ie

Thank you.

Warmest wishes, Louise O’Reilly, National Co-ordinator

Sent on behalf of the steering committee: Tania Banotti, Valerie Connor (Chair), Loughlin Deegan, Vincent Dempsey, Gerard Howlin, Fiach Mac Conghail, Niamh O’Donnell, Mags Walsh