The Arts Act 2003

national | arts and media | opinion/analysis

Tuesday May 30, 2006 22:19

by Chris Murray - The Unmanageables

Links and sections from the Arts Act.

The publication of the Arts act 2003, by ex Minister for justice , Equality and Law reform , Mr John O Donoghue TD only received passing comment by corporate media at the time. The Irish Times referred to the Act in Terms of Dilution of the independence of the Arts Council by the new act which for the first time since the foundation of the State allowed a Minister or the Government to set the agenda for artistic expression in the State.
The full act is available at this Link:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/acts/2003/a2...3.pdf
or you can google Arts acts 2003.

In sections here printed;

(functions of the Council).

"(Shall) Assist the Minister in the performance of his or her functions under the act and in the implementation of Government policies and objectives in relation to the Arts. When so requested by the Minister"

(Functions of the Council):
Furnish advice to a Minister of the Government(including the Minister in relation to any matter connected with its functions, whenever the council considers it appropriate or is requested topdo so by the Minister.

In Members of the Council:

The Council shall consist of the following members;

(a). a Chairperson ,
(b). 12 ordinary members.

Each of whom shall, in the opinion of the Minister have a special inteest or knowledge in relation to the arts, or matters connected with the function of the Minister under this act.

The members of the Board to be appointed by the Minister.

The Arts Act should be studied in relation also to confidentiality issues and issues regarding funding by John O Donoghue. In terms of the Arts policy of Sucessive governments since the foundation of the State it is the most comprehensive and sweeping ever introduced. It closely relates creative expression to Government policy which is not a million miles from the repressive De Valera era which suggested that art which expressed a particular cultural projection of Ireland would necessarily receive funds. This policy deprived the galleries and colleges of new images and methodologies which were growing and developing all over Europe at the time.

The State has done little to protect the premises of NCAD on Thomas Street and this Act closely coincided with the dropping of the Heritage portfolio from this govt dept and with the abolition of Duchas.(The Heritage service).

It is indicative of a policy and vision which attempts to shape the cultural expression of the State through an emphasis on areas of culture which are deemed worthy of protection and those which have value as commodities.

Martin Cullen abolished Duchas in 2003.
Arts Act 2003
Heritage Portfolio dropped from Dept of Arts, Heritage, Gaelteacht and the Islands. (2003).