A lot of things have let us down. But the arts never have. It is a tribute to the creativity, resilience and courage of Irish arts organisations that 374 applications with a total value of €38 million were submitted by the deadline of 11 October. 

Behind these applications are organisations who are facing into an uncertain future.  These figures represent talented people who are interrogating and entertaining a state on the edge between reeling backwards and striding forward again. Art; creative, introspective and interrogating is a key to regaining our poise and our reputation as a country.

These schemes represent recurring funding given to organisations only. Decisions will be taken by the Council after the Grants Committee meets over a number of days in December and will be communicated by post in the first week of January. Our recurring funding relationships with arts organisations represent a significant part of our funding but other schemes and awards of a non recurring nature are advertised throughout the year and are detailed in this bulletin.

A deep insight into how the arts and the making of great art refreshes and invigorates life can be seen in a series of exhibitions from the Arts Council’s permanent collection entitled ‘Into the Light’ which will take place in Dublin, Cork, Sligo and Limerick in November. Celebrating the work of Irish contemporary artists and 60 years of support for the sector by the Arts Council, it is material testimony to how practical support for the individual artist translates into work that is both a patrimony and a recurring challenge to audiences to look again at what we see beyond our preconceived ideas.

Gathering again ‘Into the Light’, the fruits of past labours, for the public space and preparing to assess and decide upon the exciting proposals that have been submitted for future funding puts what the Arts Council is there to do into perspective. Our role is to serve the arts in Ireland and a growing and increasingly perceptive audience, across the country. 

Yours

Orlaith McBride

The Arts Council is pleased to announce a new fund to support the Young People, Children, and Education (YPCE) sector. The purpose of the Programme Activity Fund (PAF) is to assist the Young People, Children, and Education sector with the costs of one or more elements of an artistic programme planned for 2013.

The Marketplace Pilot Scheme begins on Wednesday, 7 November. The pilot takes place across three separate days between November 2012 and January 2013 and is a wonderful opportunity for venues and promoters to engage and collaborate on projects from early stages through to application. This scheme is initiated by Arts Audiences and the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and managed by Irish Theatre Institute and Theatre Forum.