GLÓR has come out to show support for the National Arts Recovery Plan and are asking the people of Clare to help give a voice to the arts to ensure its survival from the effects of Covid-19.
Theatres and arts centres across the country are backing the plan published last week by the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA).
Orla Flanagan, director of the Ennis arts centre says, “All at glór stand together with the NCFA, venues around Ireland and our artists and arts workers at this difficult time to ensure the survival of our sector.”
She explains, “Before and during this pandemic, it is the arts that have kept us company, been an escape, a voice, a release, a hope. As the country emerges from the pandemic and businesses attempt to return to trading or pivot to alternative offerings in a physically limited new world, the arts and culture sector will be the very last to recover in any meaningful way.
“Artists, arts workers and arts organisations need the support of the public now. We must keep the arts on the national agenda while we move towards government formation and programme for government.”
glór are asking its customers and the general public for support in three actions: by telling TDs how important the arts are; sharing the #SAVETHEARTS video on social media and talking to family and friends about how important the arts are and asking them to get involved in the campaign.
The collective of theatres and arts centres have issued a statement supporting the plan, signed by glór and others throughout the country. They say addressing the “severe challenges” posed by social distancing and huge losses in revenue will require close collaboration with artists, arts workers and audiences as well as The Arts Council, local authorities and government partners.
“Venues are more than walls – we are teams of professional, experienced people dedicated to supporting artists and audiences and we are working hard right now to create plans for a re-imagined future in which we can support our artists to the best of our ability and enrich our communities creatively.”
The plan outlines that with investment from the government and Arts Council measures can be put in place to reopen theatres and arts centres, alternative programmes can be developed and delivered and opportunities introduced to work with artists in new ways.
“The Covid-19 crisis has affected everyone. The financial impact is devastating. It is crucial that we protect our arts sector and ensure the years of investment, experience, and artist support infrastructure are not lost. Theatres and Arts Centres are a key infrastructure for communities and artists; we are an important touchstone for arts engagement and provide vital pathways connecting artists and audiences. We value all our sectoral partners and will continue to prioritise artists and arts workers as we navigate through this difficult and uncertain time together. The National Arts Recovery Plan outlines comprehensively the challenges facing our sector and presents a plan for the survival and recovery of the sector to ensure that the Arts & Culture Sector can contribute to Ireland’s economic and societal recovery and can continue to enrich all of our lives,” the statement concludes.