The Irish Republic has launched its own National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA), to maintain the importance of and recognition for the arts. The campaign calls for the retention of Culture Ireland, the Irish state Agency for arts and culture, and the Irish Film Board, both of which face closure following the recent recommendations of the McCarthy Report. It also calls for the maintenance of existing levels of arts funding for the Irish Arts Council, full representation at senior cabinet level, and the retention of the artists’ income tax exemption NCFA which is currently under threat. NFCA has been established as the first ever umbrella organisation for the diverse arts sector in Ireland, and aims to provide a voice for the country’s artists and arts organisations. It will petition to ensure that the arts are on local and national government agendas, and welcomes open debate on the arts as a vital part of contemporary Irish life. Its members include major festivals, venues, producers and representative organisations in visual arts, theatre, film, dance, music, literature, architecture and collaborative arts.
