NCFA Newsletter May 2013

Colloquia Discussion Paper
26th April 2013
NCFA June 2014 Newsletter
14th June 2013

It’s an exciting month for us. Over the past year, we have been preparing the ground for a series of conversations tackling attitudes to research and arts policy-making. The NCFA Colloquia, or conversations, have been devised to create some room for art makers, policy-makers and researchers, to meet, air opposing views, revisit common causes, actively imagine different ways of co-operating and break the mould. Ultimately, we want action, so new channels of communication matter more than ever. 

NCFA Colloquia
Two weeks ago we announced the NCFA Colloquia, a series of four thematic conversations, organized around the main campaign objectives of the NCFA. To mark the occasion, we published our  NCFA Strategy on Research and its companion paper, the NCFA Position on Research.

The aim of the NCFA Colloquia is to challenge and change how we think and speak about the arts and policy-making. As a framework, each of the four conversations is organized around one of the main NCFA campaign objectives about public engagement, evidence building, the value of the arts and education. 

Tara Byrne, Curator of the NCFA Colloquia, has written a discussion paper that is now available in order to kick-start the debate in advance. What level of understanding do we really share about the nature and purpose of public engagement, evidence building, the value of the arts and education? What does ‘better’ research mean? 

The first of the NCFA Colloquia will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 15 May in the National Concert Hall. The guest speaker is Professor Elizabeth B. Silva. Pat Cooke will respond by reflecting on her remarks and the local context. A ‘world café’ style format will follow so that smaller sized groups can tackle specific questions and ‘provocations’ linked to the theme of the first colloquy: the question of public engagement.

Full details here. 

You are warmly invited, the event is free, but booking is essential as seats are very limited and given on a ‘first come first served’ basis. 

If you’d like to attend, please email events@ncfa.ie by 5pm Friday 10th May.

So you do know your arts …

Thanks to all of you who came along and supported our first ‘WTF’ table quiz. It was a great night – much fun was had and we raised some much-needed funds too. The total raised was just shy of €3000. This money goes directly into our pre-budget campaign fund. If you’d like to organise a similar event in your area please contact us and we can give you ‘how to’ guidelines. 

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.

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