A rescue package for arts and culture is essential given the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on “such a vital part” of both the social life and economic well-being of Galway.
This is the view of Sinn Féin Galway West TD, Mairéad Farrell, who was speaking at the launch of her party’s Rescue Package for Arts and Culture, which contains a series of proposals to “save the arts and support artists in Galway and across the State”.
'Struggling financially'
She is calling on the Government to back the Sinn Féin plan, which proposes increasing funding for the Arts Council by €4.25 million in order to establish a hardship fund for arts workers struggling financially.
SF is also calling for the restoration of the Live Performance Funding. Budget 2022 saw this funding slashed in from €50 million to €25 million. SF wants to see the funding restored and broadened to include restart supports for performing arts education, such as dance troupes, stage schools, and music classes, “who have now endured almost two years away from students,” said Dep Farrell [pictured below].
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The Galway West TD said it was “time to support artists and save the arts”, and she called on the Minister for Culture, Catherine Martin, to engage with the rescue package.
“Artists have been through a very difficult period and are still under huge pressure as we continue to emerge from the pandemic,” said Dep Farrell. “Shockingly, Budget 2022 failed to put in place the supports our artists need and the Government even cut some crucial supports. The sector feels abandoned by this Government which has consistently failed to put in place the supports they need.”
