Dear 

There’s a lot going on this month. So without further ado, read how you can support our pre-budget campaign, attend our latest Colloquy or ‘Laugh Your Arts Off’ for the NCFA.

We hope by now you will have watched and shared our pre-budget submission video which was sent to every elected representative and other key cultural policy instigators and influencers last week. So far, it has had been viewed on You Tube by nearly 1400 times. Help us hit our target of 5000 views and build momentum in this campaign.

• Watch the video
• Share it. On Facebook. Twitter. Via email. Or good old work of mouth. With your friends, family, colleagues etc.
• Send it.  To your local TDs, Senators, Councillors and other people of influence.   (See http://www.oireachtas.ie/ for details per constituency)
• Use these hashtags: #Budget2014#NCFA#RepublicofCulture

The third in our NCFA Colloquia series will be held today Monday 7 October (2 -5pm) in Smock Alley Theatre, Temple Bar as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival programe.  This Colloquy on arts funding and cultural value will be addressed by Dr Jim McGuigan, Professor of Cultural Analysis at Loughborough University, one of the foremost authorities on cultural policy working in Britain today.  Professor McGuigan will argue against what he sees as the increasingly damaging practice of justifying cultural policy largely on economic grounds.

The Colloquy is open to everyone and admission is free, but please book.  Email events@ncfa.ie.  Visit www.ncfa.ie for more information.

The Colloquy will be followed by the launch of a new online publication, the Irish Journal of Arts Management and Cultural Policy, which will publish original research on the Irish cultural sector.  See www.culturalpolicy.ie

A luminous line-up of Ireland’s best and brightest comedy voices come together at Project Arts Centre on Saturday 18 October to raise funds for our activities this year and next.

Hosted by Kalle Ryan, this night of unbridled joy features one of the high-kings of Irish comedy, Barry Murphy and the fearless David McSavage. Also performing are Paul Currie, Eleventyfour, Sonya Kelly, Christian Talbot, Totally Wired! Aidan Strangeman and The Supernatural Brothers.

Tickets cost €20/18 concession and are available from  www.projectartscentre.ie/event/laugh-arts/

If you can’t make it along on the night, you can still support the NCFA by buying a ‘Laugh Your Arts Off’ raffle ticket through Project.

We are keeping a close eye on the movement of this Bill ‘to give effect to the actions arising from the Governments Reform Plan in respect of the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork’. In short, the Heads of the Bill were approved and a draughtsman has been appointed to prepare the text. No work has commenced as yet, but there is only one stage left in this process. 

(At the start of each session of the Dáil the Government Chief Whip issues a document which lists legislation under heads of A to G, indicating the Government’s intentions with regard to legislation.  This Bill is now at B. The next stage is publication).

… A word of thanks to all those serving on committees or as constituency co-ordinators and to those who support us in other ways. The results of their time, effort and consideration are very much in evidence this month and are much appreciated.

With best wishes,

Mark Brennock, Valerie Connor, Vincent Dempsey, Gerard Howlin, Fiach Mac Conghail, Niamh O'Donnell, Claire Power, Mags Walsh.