Arts groups’ fear over City Council funding

Arts groups in Galway City fear funding allocations for this year may be reneged on by the local authority.

Galway City Council has yet to allocate funding to local arts groups in 2020, despite almost all other councils in the country having distributed this money.

Despite seeking clarity from City Hall, arts groups remain in the dark about funding that could keep them afloat this year.

Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly has pushed for the Council to keep its funding commitments.

“Organisations rely on the grant funding in order to bring to life the art that we all love and depend on for our souls. These past few months we have all yearned to be replenished by exhibitions, books, and theatre. The City Council must recognise that in order to ensure the future into the long-term, artists much be supporting year on year.

“This year that funding was set at €435,000 and was completely separate to the money for Galway 2020. None of this money has been allocated to organisations.

“This year we will continue to see festivals such as the Arts Festival and Baboró put on shows, which not only supports the continuation of these festivals, but also brings a much-needed sense of normality back to our lives. On top of all of that, if we are to encourage people to visit Galway, enrich us and build back up our economy, we must put art front and centre. I urge Galway City Council to give clarity to artists,” she said.

Senator O’Reilly said that the funding obligations of the Council were separate to Galway 2020, the European Capital of Culture project.

“I am also still waiting to see a full set of accounts for Galway 2020. The public need absolute clarity on where their money was spent and a demonstration that any changes to the budget were done in a transparent way,” she added.