this article discusses the challenges faced by comedians and country musicians in Ireland when seeking funding from the Arts Council. hear’s a breakdown of the key points:
* Comedy’s Exclusion: Comedians feel excluded from Arts Council funding as comedy isn’t explicitly recognized as an art form under the Arts Act. They argue it is an art form, requiring writing, performance, and direction. Several comedians (Sean Flanagan, Conor McKenna, Damo Clark, Ailish McCarthy) share experiences of being denied grants. A bill is being proposed by Sinn Féin to amend the arts Act to include comedy.
* Arts Council’s Response: The Arts council acknowledges the issue and says they are open to conversation. They currently fund comedy indirectly through funding for festivals, venues, and projects that include comedy. They state the door isn’t closed to direct applications, but haven’t explicitly included comedy in their funding criteria. Liz Meany emphasizes the need for ongoing discussion about what constitutes “the arts.”
* Country Music’s Struggles: Country musicians, exemplified by The Ennis Brothers, also feel overlooked. While country music is often perceived as commercially viable, many artists struggle financially. They believe funding is disproportionately focused on traditional music, despite country artists also being songwriters, performers, and entertainers. Jackie Conboy of the Music and Entertainment Association of ireland confirms that many country musicians are struggling to make a living.
* State Support & Covid Payments: The article notes that the artists have benefited from Covid payments and other State support, but this doesn’t negate the sting of being rejected as artists by the Arts Council.
* The Argument for Recognition: The core argument throughout the article is that both comedy and country music deserve the same access to funding and recognition as other art forms.
In essence, the article highlights a debate about the definition of “art” and who qualifies for public funding in Ireland, with comedians and country musicians advocating for greater inclusion and recognition.
