Greens point to track record on arts and pledge continued record funding

Only the Green Party can ensure that the Arts and Culture are properly supported to benefit communities and artists across the country, election candidates insisted today.

Outlining key proposals at Na Píobairí Uilleann in Dublin City, the party promised to expand the Basic Income for the Arts, to roll out a new programme for arts spaces, to provide supports for a vibrant night-time culture and to maintain record funding for the sector. 

The Green Party commits to:

• Retain and expand Basic Income for the Arts pilot programme, at a cost of €15m for the first extra 1,000 participants
• Continue to increase Arts Council funding, now at record levels.
• Introduce a new multi-million euro arts capital and equipment programme, mirroring successful sports project funds.
• Provide funds to ‘green’ arts venues, decarbonise sector and save energy costs
• Support local authorities to provide dozens of more studios/arts spaces for communities and increase local government arts grants.
• A new National Women’s Museum and Popular Music Archive of Ireland.
• Enact the Intoxicating Liquors Bill 2024 to revitalise NTE economy
• Fund live venues to support development of new creative acts
• Mandate all local authorities to develop NTE action plans.
• Increase departmental funding for nightlife to €10 million.

Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, said:

“The Green Party in government has supported the Arts sector like no other administration in recent times. But we want to go further. We must retain and expand our flagship Basic Income for the Arts pilot programme. Expanding it by 50% with an extra 1,000 artists initially would cost €15m.

“Other areas which are a priority for the next five years include supporting local authorities to provide dozens of more studios and workspaces for the creative community nationwide.

“We would also roll out a new arts capital and equipment programme, mirroring the successful sports project supports.

“A new National Women’s Museum and Popular Music Archive of Ireland are also among our new plans.

“A strong vote for the Green Party will ensure the Arts remain at the heart of future government decision making.”

TD Neasa Hourigan said:

“The Green Party understands the importance of a diverse and vibrant night-time cultural environment. And we are committed to supporting all communities to have one.

“We will enact the Intoxicating Liquors Bill 2024 to revitalise the night-time economy and modernise our licensing laws, putting us on a par with European cities.

“The Green Party will also provide financial incentives for live venues to support the development of new creative acts, fund additional night-time advisors and quadruple the NTE fund to €10m.

“We will roll out a permanent Artist Workspaces Scheme, building on current projects in Dublin and also under local authorities across Ireland.”

Councillor Hazel Chu said:

“Funding for the Arts and Culture has reached record levels with the Green Party in government. And it would not have happened otherwise. 

“We will continue to provide funding for Safe to Create programmes, for Creative Ireland, Culture Ireland and other critical arts agencies.

“The Greens would also ensure that incentives, such as those under Section 481, are adequate to support the successful VFX, film, and animation industries.

“We will also provide new supports to ‘green’ arts venues, to help decarbonise the sector but also save energy costs for facilities.”