| Tyneside Festival Loses Arts Grant
The future of the biggest Irish community arts festival in Britain is
under threat after a cut in funding.
The Arts Council of North East England has decided to axe the £7,000
annual grant to Tyneside Irish Festival — despite the event attracting thousands
of people every year.
The move comes as the council gives huge increases to the regional arts
giants such as the Baltic arts centre, The Sage, and Northern Stage.
Tyneside Irish Festival organisers are now planning to fight the decision
— which they have branded unfair and elitist.
Festival director Tony Corcoran said: “Once again the great and the good
are to prosper at the expense of the community and voluntary sectors.
“Unfortunately, this was exactly the kind of exclusivity cited by the
judges when denying Newcastle and Gateshead the European Capital of Culture
2008 title.
“I cannot accept it is right that the Baltic receives an extra £1million
on top of its present £815,000 whilst we get nothing at all.
“Other Irish festivals such as Liverpool which have used Tyneside as
a blueprint are getting Arts Council funding.
“We use our subsidy to provide Irish storytellers in schools, work with
residential homes and provide cheap tickets and free workshops for the economically
disadvantaged.
“It seems that the Arts Council favours expensive shows for the well-heeled
middle classes.
“This year we will survive with ironically one of our strongest programmes
ever with over 50 concerts, workshops and exhibitions. That is thanks to
the continued support of Newcastle City Council and other generous sponsors.
“Whether we can reach our 20th anniversary milestone in 2006 is now in
serious doubt.”
Readers wish to support the continuation of funding to the Tyneside Irish
Festival can do so by writing, phoning, or email to North East Arts at the
following address:
Central Square,
Forth Street,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE1 3PJ.
Phone: 0845 300 6200
Fax: 0191 230 1020
Textphone: 0191 255 8585
Contact: Alison O’Hara, Assistant Officer, Communications
Phone: 0191 255 8572.
E-mail: alison.ohara@artscouncil.org.uk.
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