Arts Council of Ireland
The Arts Council of Ireland (Irish: An Chomhairle Ealaíon) was founded in 1951 by the Government of Ireland to encourage interest in Irish art and channel to funding from the state to Irish artists and arts organisations. This includes encouragement of traditional Irish arts, support for contemporary Irish arts, and finance for international arts events in Ireland.
It was modelled on the Arts Council of Great Britain, founded in 1946, and works closely with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, formed by the British government in Northern Ireland in 1962 to fulfil a similar role.
Pat Moylan was appointed chairman in January 2009. The CEO is Orlaith McBride. The 2013 budget is €59.9 million.
International Policy
The Arts Council of Ireland is the official "Cultural Contact Point" between the EU Commission's Cultural Programme and Ireland.[1]
The Arts Council of Ireland is a founding member of the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies.
Visual Artists Ireland, the all-Ireland non-governmental organisation representing Irish artists nationally and internationally, is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.
Members
The arts council consists of 12 members and a chair, each appointed for a five-year term by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.[2]
- Pat Moylan, Arts Council chairman and theatre producer
- Aibhlín McCrann, Deputy chair and communications specialist
- Louise Donlon, Manager, Lime Tree Theatre
- John Fanning
- Paul Johnson, Chief Executive, Dance Ireland
- Fiona Kearney, Director, Lewis Glucksman Gallery
- Éimear O’Connor
- John O'Donnell
- Mark O'Regan, actor
- Caroline Senior, Artistic Director, Garter Lane Arts Centre
- Colm Tóibín, Writer
- Ciarán Walsh
- Judith Woodworth