This article is from page 6 of the 2012-01-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
FUNDING for small local arts festivals in Clare has been slashed by more than 50 per cent for the first half of 2012, with similar cuts also expected for the second half of the year.
According to figures obtained by The Clare People , the total investment by the Arts Council in Clare festivals for the first half of 2012 has been cut to € 20,500 – down from € 41,500 for the same period of 2010. Funding for two traditional music festivals in North Clare have been cut completely with a number of adjustments taking place in the funding for other events. Both the Corofin Traditional Music Festival, which was last year granted € 8,000 in funding, and the Russell Memorial Weekend, which was granted € 2,000 in 2011, have not recived any funding this year.
According to records received from the Irish Arts Council, Clare County Council was also granted € 14,000 in 2011 for Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh – which is not funded as part of the 2012 budget. The Iniscealtra Arts Festival also saw a reduction in its Arts Council budget from € 11,000 in 2011 to € 9,000 this year.
Despite the overall reduction however, the growing popularity of the Ennis Book Club Festival was recog- nised with a funding increase from € 6,500 last year to € 8, 500 in 2011. The Doran Tionol Festival was also granted € 3,000 in funding, having not received any funding for 2011.
“While it’s always disappointing when funding in decreased. I think that the strength that we have here in Clare with our festivals means that they will continue and will grow,” said Clare Arts Offices, Siobhan Mulcahy. “It was encouraging to see that some of our festivals received more than the average amount and some even received a small increase which I think goes to vindicate the quality of the programmes which take place at festivals in Clare.”
The Arts Council releases it funding for small local festivals in two tranches – each covering a six month period of the year.
The second allocation of funding is due to be announced early next month with festivals such as the Clare Festival of Traditional Singing, the Ellen ‘Nell’ Galvin Traditional Music Weekend, the Feakle International Traditional Music Festival, the Music in the Glen Festival, the Willie Keane Memorial Weekend and the Winter Music Weekend Festival all hoping to retain some level of funding.
An announcement for larger years grants schemes – including the annual Arts Council Investment in Glór – will also be made in mid-February.