Arts Policy

Summary

• Increase the arts budget for 2018 by €100 million.
• Increase state funding of the arts to the European average of 0.6%
• Fund access to arts participation in disadvantaged areas for adults and children.
• Fund access to arts participation for adults and children with disabilities.
• Ensure children have greater access to culture and art as a right.
• Open schools and colleges for after-school artistic activities for children and teenagers.
• Open Public Spaces – including NAMA buildings – for use by local arts organisations.
• Support performances and exhibitions in public spaces.
• Arts participation programmes in prisons, schools, care homes and hospitals.
• Remove the requirement of ‘availability for work’ for artists on Jobseeker’s Allowance.
• Allow artists to do unpaid work without pressure from the Department of Social Protection.
• A new deal programme for artists in the public sector. This would create well paid jobs and increase access to the arts throughout society.