This month the Arts Council released new research, “Assessment of Economic Impact of the Arts in Ireland”, a report by Indecon International Economic Consultants.  The research shows that the arts make a very significant contribution to the Irish economy and can be a major driver for jobs and investment. The report, commissioned by the Arts Council suggests that the economic impact of the arts may be larger than generally perceived by analysts and policymakers.  Our statement and the full report and are available to read in this month’s newsletter. 

We provide subscribers with information on our meeting with the Innovation Taskforce.  In an address by Arts Council Chairman, Pat Moylan, the importance of the arts and creative sectors in supporting job growth, and the potential of the digital economy and gaming industry was emphasised.  The presentation concluded that reducing funds to the sector would be a retrograde step. 

Also this month, Arts Audiences invites organisations to apply for the New Media Mentoring Scheme.  The Scheme will provide mentoring to arts organisations who wish to build new and existing relationships with audiences online.  Details of how to apply for the scheme are available in this month’s newsletter.

In addition, we provide an update on plans to launch a new online services website in 2010 which will give you constant access to selected Arts Council services seven days a week. 

Finally, the newsletter rounds off with our regular article on news from the arts community and international opportunities from the Cultural Contact Point.

Mary Cloake,
Director

The arts make a very significant contribution to the Irish economy and can be a major driver for jobs and investment, new data has shown.

The Chairman of the Arts Council, Ms Pat Moylan, met with the Government's Innovation Taskforce and urged that the employment potential of the arts be exploited as a way out of the recession.

Arts Audiences are pleased to announce details of the New Media mentoring scheme.

We provide subcribers with an update on the new online services website which we hope to launch in 2010.  

Opportunities from the arts community in November includes: a call to apply for the position of Project Director for the U2/The Ireland Funds Scheme; Dublin City Council seeks an Artists panel for 2010; an invitation to tender for a new public art commission in Armagh City Centre; a public arts competition from Artlink in partnership with Buncrana Tidy Towns Committee; an invitation to submit a visual arts policy for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council Council arts office and information on how to apply for RTÉ lyric fm Choirs for Christmas Competition.

News from the CCP in November includes: an invitation to tender for two studies from EACEA, the first is a feasibility study for actions to support the mobility of literary translators and the second is on maximising the potential of mobility in building European identity and promoting civic participation in the EU; we include an update on the EU Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion and have information on an information event which will be held in Linz, Austria; finally we remind you to stay up to date with EU funding Programs using the EACEA website.