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 Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
The Arts Council is a voluntary body of 12 members and a chair, appointed by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media 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 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.
Chair of the Arts Council
Maura McGrath
Date of appointment: 12 June 2024 | Length of tenure: 5 years
Council Members