Leitrim and Sligo artists urged to use their voices to shape new policy on arts

Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny has invited the local artistic and wider community across Sligo and Leitrim to answer an arts survey launched by Sinn Féin as part of a consultation process towards developing a comprehensive national policy for the arts.

The survey includes questions on the barriers faced by artists, local arts spaces and facilities, state bodies like the Arts Council, the basic income for the arts, emigration, and what supports are needed.

Deputy Martin Kenny is calling on local artists to get involved and ensure their needs is at the heart of the new policy.

“We are calling on all creators, performers, artists, and people who simply enjoy the arts.

"We want to hear from you.

“Sinn Féin is developing a more comprehensive policy on the arts covering all aspects of the arts: music; dance; literature; film; theatre; visual arts; spectacle; crafts; functional arts; and everything beyond and in between.

“Putting an arts policy together must start with listening to artists, arts workers and those who engage with the arts, as well as those who can’t engage with the arts for reasons we can try to fix.

“As Sligo and Leitrim has such a rich history of the arts, it’s vital to me that our artistic community makes its voice heard to ensure Sinn Féin can put our needs at the heart of its new arts policy.

“This is a unique opportunity for the public to shape the art policy of the biggest party in Ireland and with that the future of the arts strategy at all levels across the whole of Ireland, in and out of government, and in a new Ireland when we achieve a new Republic.

“This is a listening exercise, and we hope to learn from respondents about the needs of the sector as we embark on this exciting process to bolster Ireland’s world-famous artistic scene, address the precarity in the sector, and safeguard the livelihoods of those who depend on it,” said Deputy Kenny.

The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, April 30 and written submissions can also be made via email to Sinn Féin Arts spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD at aengus.osnodaigh@oireachtas.ie

The Sinn Féin Arts Survey can be filled out online at outreach.sinnfein.ie/arts-survey/.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 22nd