The Arts Council welcomes today’s announcement of €130M funding as part of Budget 2023. This funding enables the Arts Council to continue and deepen its investment in the arts. The Arts Council recognises that Covid-19 continues to have an impact on audience engagement and that the sector faces further challenges with issues relating to cost of living. Today’s funding announcement ensures that the Arts Council can provide meaningful support to the sector in the coming year.

Arts Council Chair, Prof Kevin Rafter said, “The decision to keep funding at €130M for a third consecutive year is welcome, and this money will allow the Council to continue to help the arts sector recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and to deal with significant cost of living increases. The Council will continue to make the case – as it has done over the last two years – for an annual budget of €150M to further develop the arts sector across the country.”

Arts Council Director, Maureen Kennelly said, “The Arts Council is delighted to welcome today’s budget announcement. The work of the Arts Council invests in thousands of artists and hundreds of arts organisations across the country while providing long-term sector development. Today’s funding announcement ensures it can continue this vital work.”

The Arts Council will continue to work closely with The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Minister Catherine Martin, as we seek to place the arts at the heart of Irish life.

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