Other pressing issues also include reviewing the pending Crowe Report on past governance issues at the Abbey Theatre.
What’s in the Inbox for The Arts Council board?
The first thing any new chair will review is the organisation’s budget and in the case of The Arts Council it stands at €134 million.
When Prof Rafter joined, in 2019, the figure was €75 million, so under his and his board’s stewardship, and during Minister Martin’s time at the department, there has been an increase of 80% to the budget.
There was confirmation today from the council that the immediate task ahead for the new board is to focus on the budget, and to secure €160 million in funding, with the additional €26 million being used "to further realise the ambitions of the arts sector".
Talking to people across the sector, the appointment of the new Chair is broadly welcomed, and it seems that the principal concern for them is also the commitment to continued funding.
'Sustained investment'
Money has been at the heart of many conversations held with the arts sector in recent weeks.
At the 'Status of the Artist’ conference held last month, the positive impact of the 'Basic Income for Artists’ pilot project was reported in the first in depth study on the scheme. Set up by Minister Martin’s department, observers said they hoped that the level of investment involved could be secured, expanded and was "election proof".
This hope is mentioned too in relation to the budgeting for The Arts Council, with those in the sector emphasising the importance of sustained funding, both for the council itself and the art forms it supports.
The hopes too are that if there was another economic downturn, or if another event such as Covid (which hit the arts sector particularly badly) occurred, that the new board will continue to ensure that sustainable funding for the sector is on the political agenda.
Labour spokesperson on the Arts Marie Sherlock said that having "the roof over the head for the artists to sleep at night and the roof to shelter them as they carry out their work, has to be a live issue for the new board".
She welcomed the appointment of Ms McGrath, and said she was calling for The Arts Council Board to "keep a focus on the issues of harassment and exploitation of younger artists (as highlighted in the 'Mise Fosta' campaign) within the wider 'Fair Plé' initiative".
In terms of priorities, the on-going shortages of artist spaces is something Ms Sherlock is concerned about, and is also calling on The Arts Council board to give "greater attention and consideration to this and make it a key policy for the arts".
Other people across the sector including Cian O’Brien (Artistic Director) and Orla Moloney (Executive Director) at ‘The Project Arts Centre’ warmly welcomed Ms McGrath's appointment saying: "It is fantastic that...someone with significant experience of the challenges and joys of Chairing an arts organisation works to achieve its goal of increasing funding ... in 2025."
On behalf of 'The Abbey Theatre', Caitriona McLaughlin Artistic Director and Mark O’Brien, Executive Director said they "welcome Maura McGrath as chair" and that her appointment "to this critical role in our sector, is an exciting one".
Cork Opera House CEO Eibhlín Gleeson also welcomed the appointment saying "we must continue to support our artists, from our emerging artists all the way through to our established artists, with Arts Council Support. Our sector cannot thrive without this. We wish Maura all the best with her tenure as Chair."
Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne, who is a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Media, "there has been significant and welcome investment by government in the Arts, including through the Arts Council itself, and it will be important to show the return on that (culturally, societally and economically) so that we can see that investment sustained and increased".
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