The Arts Council has prepared and published a Publication Scheme relating to the information of the Council in line with the Model and Guidelines set out by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2014. The scheme comes into effect on the 14 April 2016.
Purpose of the scheme
The scheme is designed to ensure consistency in the publication of information by FOI bodies and to facilitate the provision of information to the greatest extent possible.
In preparing, reviewing or revising a Publication Scheme, an FOI body shall have regard to the public interest in:
- Allowing public access to information held by the FOI body;
- The publication of reasons for decisions made by the FOI body;
- Publishing information of relevance or interest to the general public in relation to its activities and functions generally.
Format and Access
The Publication Scheme is web based with links to information under the following heading as set out in the Act. A hard copy will be available for viewing by appointment also. Information will be provided under the following headings:
- Information about the FOI body
- Functions and Public Services provided or to be provided
- Decision-making procedures
- Financial Information
- Procurement
- Information routinely published and miscellaneous
1. Information about the FOI body
The Arts Council of Ireland is the Irish government agency for developing the arts. We work in partnership with artists, arts organisations, public policy makers and others to build a central place for the arts in Irish life.
The Council recognises that the arts have a central and distinctive contribution to make to our evolving society. Established in 1951, to stimulate public interest in and promote the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts, the Council is an autonomous body, which is under the aegis of the Department of Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht.
The Arts Council is a voluntary body of 12 members and a chair, appointed by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for a term of five years. The Chair of the Arts Council is entitled to an annual fee of €8,978 and ordinary members are entitled to a fee of €5,985 though some members choose to waive this fee. Details of all fees and expenses received by members of the Arts Council are published annually in the Annual Report which is available to download from the Publications section.
The ongoing work of the Arts Council is delivered by the executive. In addition to the Director, a staff of 41 full-time equivalents carries out the daily functions of the organisation. Arts advisers, who provide additional expertise and strategic advice on different aspects of the arts, are retained on a consultancy basis.
The About us FAQs will provide you with information about general issues relating to the Arts Council such as our location, opening hours, budget etc.
Arts Council Strategy (2016–2025) Making Great Art Work - Leading the development of the arts in Ireland
In September 2015 we published our new ten-year strategy, Making Great Art Work, in which we set out how we will lead the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade.
Download Making Great Art Work (PDF, 3.29MB)
2. Functions and Public Services provided or to be provided
Our function is to:
- stimulate public interest in the arts;
- promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts;
- assist in improving standards in the arts;
- advise the Minister and other public bodies on the arts.
We do this by:
- providing *financial assistance, mainly, but not exclusively, to artists and arts organisations; we also support others who develop and promote the arts;
- offering advice and information on the arts to Government and to others;
- publishing research and information as an advocate for the arts and artists;
- undertaking a range of projects to promote and develop the arts, often in partnership with others
*review or appeal rights relating to such services.
3. Decision making procedures relating to the Functions and/or Services provided to the public.
The Arts Council considers all applications, makes assessments and decisions and communicates these to applicants in accordance with set procedures. The aim is to ensure that the system for making awards is fair and transparent.
The key steps in the assessment process are as follows:
- Adviser(s) and/or staff make written assessment;
- Adviser(s) and/or staff recommends as shortlisted or not shortlisted
- Peer panel reviews all shortlisted applications and makes decisions
- Decisions communicated in writing
- Decisions noted by Council
Guidelines will be published in due course
4. Financial Information
5. Procurement
Open Arts Council tenders are published on the Irish government eTenders procurement website
6. Information routinely published and miscellaneous