Oireachtas Committee meets to discuss development of local and community arts

Meeting takes place across two sessions today.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media have begun meeting this afternoon to discuss the development of local and community arts.

The meeting at Leinster House began at 1:30pm, and will take place in two separate sessions.

The first session will focus on arts and disability, health, and older people.

It will hear from Disabled Artists and Disabled Academics; Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI); National Disability Authority; Arts and Health Coordinators Ireland; and Age and Opportunity.

In the second session the focus will reflect on arts and cultural diversity, including intercultural arts, and will hear from representatives of the Irish Traveller Movement; Irish Network Against Racism; Pavee Point; and the Centre for Creative Practices.

Speaking ahead of the meeting Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Niamh Smyth said: “today’s meeting focuses on the development of local and community arts. Our Committee has been committed to and continues the encouragement and enhancement of local art and artists. We have held meetings on wide-ranging issues relating to the Arts in Ireland with diverse stakeholders from the sector across the entire country. We are very aware of the positive contribution to Irish society by artists.”

The Cavan-Monaghan TD noted that the committee will engage with the representatives attending today in order to “get a clear indication into what these stakeholders believe the Government can implement in order to nurture and bolster local Irish and community arts.”

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