September 17th is the day to take part in the National Campaign For the Arts’  Day of Action— meetings will be taking place all over the country with local representatives and arts workers, to advocate for the ongoing support of the arts. As part of the effort, the NCFA has also produced a promotional video:

Here’s also a link to a recent interview on Morning Ireland. Lots more info is available on the NCFA site, but here’s a recap of the Campaign’s main objectives:

There is now a broad consensus that the arts will play a dynamic part in Ireland’s economic and social recovery. To maintain their role as a significant driver of employment, cultural tourism, the creative industries, our collective wellbeing and international reputation, NCFA asks that the next budget will:

(1) Maintain current levels of funding to the statutory agencies for the arts, including Irish Film Board, Culture Ireland and in particular The Arts Council, whose investment in the development of Irish artists generates the cultural assets that are central to our future.

(2) Make significant new funding available to the arts and culture sector to build on its cultural tourism potential, through the creation of a dedicated cultural tourism fund.

(3) Protect local authority arts funding and its essential role in the cultural diversity, social cohesion, economic impact, participation and identity of communities and regions.