National Campaign For the Arts
THE BUDGET IS COMING – WHAT YOU CAN DO.
ARTISTS’ RALLY, September 16th, Kildare Street, Dublin.
On Thursday September 16th at 1pm a rally will be held in front of the Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture on Kildare Street.
Organised by AARO (the Association of Artists Representative Organisations) this event aims to raise the profile of the contribution of the arts to the country and to draw attention to the damaging effects that cuts in arts spending have had on individual artists. VAI is calling on its members and all visual creators to support ARRO’s campaign.
Have your voice heard
If you can spare an hour on Thursday 16th please join the rally on Kildare Street at 1.00pm. Actors, directors, visual artists, writers and composers are gathering there to let the Minister know that artists are seriously struggling and that investment in the arts is urgently needed in the next budget. There are 90,000* people working in the arts whose jobs rely on the ability of artist’s to create the plays, songs, exhibitions, screenplays, novels and scripts that sustain the arts & culture sector.
There will be live music provided by the Musicians Union of Ireland, an original new work by Andy Irvine (founding member of Planxty) and a colourful Flash Mob organised by Equity Ireland.
A post rally meeting will be held from 2.30pm in Odessa Club, Dame Court,
Spread the word
VAI is supportive of ARROs’ campaign and would encourage as many artists as possible to make their presence felt on Kildare Street. Your participation can make a difference and help ensure that the next budget recognises the strong role that the arts have to play in the recovery of the country.
We hope that you and your friends can play your part and support this campaign.
All are welcome
www.visualartists.ie
On Friday September 17, 2010, arts workers in every constituency around the country will meet their local TDs, including An Taoiseach Brian Cowen with his local Offaly-based artists and arts workers, to put the campaign demands before their public representatives, as well as raising additional local arts issues. NCFA members will also host a series of events around the country to further highlight, to the government and the general public, the important role the arts plays in the nation’s economic, social and civic recovery. There are a number of elements to the day, some of which are listed here below. Please be sure to get in touch with your Local Arts Workers Group to make sure you are a part of the action in your constituency.
www.ncfa.ie