National Campaign for the Arts seeks further clarity following Government re-opening announcements today

Statement from the Steering Committee of the National Campaign for the Arts with regards to the next phase of Government’s reopening of Irish society:
26th April 2021
NCFA Sector Meeting 12th May 2021 (Recording and Audio Transcript)
14th May 2021
Save the Arts Ireland

29 April 2021

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) commends Minister Catherine Martin and her Government colleagues for their genuine and tangible efforts to support the arts, cultural and live entertainment sector in reopening.

NCFA warmly welcomes the reopening of museums, galleries and outdoor cultural attractions from May 10th. We are delighted and relieved for the arts, culture and entertainment workers who can get back to work, for the ancillary businesses and suppliers that service them, and of course for the public who will be able to return to these places of artistic and cultural joy. 

NCFA is delighted to see intercounty travel re-instated, which will allow artists and arts workers to travel to present their work, and audiences to travel to enjoy this work.

Outdoor events, limited to 15, is a welcome first step in the journey towards the recommencement of live events. It is heartening to hear Minister Martin’s commitment to the trialling of large scale outdoor events in the near future, as well as the reopening of theatres, cinemas and music venues.

NCFA asks the Minister to clarify the following for the arts, culture and live entertainment communities:

  • Are artists and arts workers now permitted to return to their places of work (rehearsal rooms, studios, workspaces, etc.) to create, rehearse and prepare their work, so it will be ready for presentation to audiences when venues reopen?
  • While the arts, and many other sectors, cannot fully return to work, will there be continued financial supports through the PUP and EWSS? If so, will the PUP and EWSS remain at the current rate?
  • When will specific details of the reopening of theatres and cinemas in June be announced?
  • When will details of large indoor and outdoor pilot events be announced?
  • When will plans for reopening indoor music venues be announced?

These questions will be on the agenda for next week’s NCFA meeting with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and we look forward to sharing these clarifications when we receive them.

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