April 2013 Newsletter

We’ve spent the first three months of this year working quietly but with purpose behind the scenes.

Minister under pressure
TDs have put pressure on the Minister Jimmy Deenihan through a series of well-crafted Parliamentary Questions (PQs). Following requests from NCFA they are trying to reveal the absence of cohesive policy in the department and in particular the lack of process and transparency around the disbursement of funds by the department. With money so tight for all of us these days, it is more important than ever for there to be equality of opportunity as well as clear, open and accountable processes. Read the Minister’s responses here.

So you think you know your arts …
Join us on Thursday 18 April at Yamamori, Dublin 1 for our first NCFA ‘WTF” table quiz. All funds raised will go towards our work (particularly our pre-budget campaign) this year.

It costs €60 per team of 4 people. To book call Project Arts Centre on 01 8819 613 or online.

Constituency Co-ordinators’ Survey
In order to strengthen what we do and how we do it this year we want to find out as much as possible about our local constituency groups. If you have played an active role in your local NCFA as Constituency Co-ordinator or if you are interested in becoming more involved, please take 5 minutes to complete this short survey.

NCFA Colloquia – conversations to challenge and change
You are invited to attend the launch of NCFA Colloquia, a series of conversations specially devised to challenge and change how we all think and speak about the arts and arts policy, next Saturday 13 April at 10am in Exchange Dublin, Temple Bar. If you would like to attend please RSVP to events@ncfa.ie.

The NCFA Colloquia series is our response to the lack of adequate research on the arts and cultural activity in Ireland. It aims to promote a case for research that will redress this deficit of knowledge and engage policy makers and funding institutions.

To mark the launch of the NCFA Colloquia, we are publishing the NCFA Strategy on Research along with a brief position paper which makes a case for an improved evidence base on which to build better policy-making for the arts. Download here.

The first colloquy will be held in the National Concert Hall on Tues 15 May. Full details about it and the NCFA Colloquia in general here.

And finally …

Thanks as always to all those who support us through giving of their time, money or talent. We are always looking for more such volunteers. If you are interested in helping out or donating please contact info@ncfa.ie.

In turn, if we can help you with lobbying or promoting the value of the arts, do contact us.

With best wishes,

The Steering Committee:
Tania Banotti, Mark Brennock, Valerie Connor, Loughlin Deegan, Vincent Dempsey, Gerard Howlin, Fiach Mac Conghail, Niamh O’Donnell, Mags Walsh.