Madam, - In response to Marian Fitzgibbon's Arts page article of August 26th, it may be useful to clarify that Theatre Forum has not "overplayed" the funding crisis in the arts.
The author is right: "Either the Arts Council needed €100 million in 2008 or it didn't." The Arts Council itself stressed the unprecedented level of demand from the sector in a strongly worded press release last November. For more than three years, arts funding of €100 million in 2008 was the stated commitment of both Government and Arts Council.
On the ground the need has not diminished, but the stated commitment has all but disappeared. The members of Theatre Forum call for this funding to be placed back on the Government's agenda. This would truly recognise the value and significance of the arts in Irish society.
It is both shameful and short-sighted that, after a period of unprecedented economic prosperity, Ireland still ranks in the bottom third of the European league-table for per capita spending on the arts. Despite this it continues to deliver repeated success on the national and international stage.
Minister Cullen will shortly appoint a new chair and six new members to the Arts Council. Now, more than ever, the arts need strong, courageous leaders and advocates.
- Yours, etc,
TANIA BANOTTI, Chief Executive, Theatre Forum, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1.