Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
324. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he is satisfied that the Arts Council has expanded eligibility for funding to all sectors of the arts; whether he is aware of any sector still excluded; the reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33910/26]
View answerUnder Section 2 of the Arts Act 2003, “Arts” means any creative or interpretative expression (whether traditional or contemporary) in whatever form, and includes, in particular, visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus and architecture, and includes any medium when used for those purposes.
The Arts Council is the national government agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. Their role is to advocate, advise, invest and partner with others, to cultivate a vibrant arts community at the heart of Irish society.
As art forms and arts practices develop, the Arts Council continually reviews their work to support the arts in Ireland and responds accordingly to these developments. Art is never static, it is always evolving and so must the Arts Council.
One example is the recent formation of the Multidisciplinary Arts team, tasked with exploring how best to support multidisciplinary arts practice. The formation of this team has been in direct response to the evolving practices the Arts Council have seen in the sector and in their applications, as well as in response to feedback from the sector, that single artform schemes are incompatible with this type of practice.
I have asked the Arts Council to make direct contact and provide the Deputy with further information in relation to how they have expanded eligibility for funding to other sectors of the arts. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from the Council within the next ten working days.
