Labour’s arts spokesperson Rob O’Donoghue has criticised a government decision to drop the Arts from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sports.
The Northside Labour TD remarked “it tells us all we need to know about Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s commitment to supporting artists in Ireland.”
O’Donoghue said that the word “arts” has been in the Department’s name since 1994, when then-Labour TD Michael D Higgins was Minister.
“This move sends a clear message to artists across the country that they don’t matter and aren’t a priority, it’s shameful,” O’Donoghue said.
“Unfortunately, we know that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have been set on abandoning the arts for some time. Arts, culture, and music are at the heart of Ireland’s identity but the sectors need structural reforms to support the people who make the industry what it is. Subsuming arts into merely culture will lead to a further dilution of Government attention towards the thousands of artists in Ireland who are so passionate about what they do.”
“The arts are not only significant to our identity as a nation, but provide an enormous economic impact, attracting tourism from across the planet and encouraging more people into hospitality before or after attending arts events.”
O’Donoghue said the government has been “hollowing out” arts over the last 20 years, with the closure of arts spaces and venues in Dublin and right across Ireland.
“We’ve counted at least 52 artist spaces and venues that have closed over this period; these losses have struck a serious blow to the cultural fabric and energy of our city,” he said.
“What artists need is more engagement from the government, not less. We saw the enormous positive impact of initiatives like the basic income scheme for artists. Having a carved out section within the Department is so important for artists to have trust and faith in the system that their livelihoods are being taken seriously by the government.”
“For too long, artists have been the poor relation within the Department. I am calling on the Minister to provide clarity for artists about who will be championing them within his Department and to include the word ‘Arts’ in the Department. This is hugely important symbolically. There has to be a dedicated and devoted Department of Arts.”