07 April 2012
Ealaín na Gaeltachta Teo, a joint venture between Údarás na Gaeltachta and The Arts Council, which promotes development of the contemporary and traditional arts in the Gaeltacht areas has announced the recipients of its latest bursary scheme for individual artists.
A number of artists who are based in the West Kerry Gaeltacht of Corca Dhuibhne have been granted assistance through the scheme including Áine Ní Chiobháin, Andrew Duggan, Fiadh Durham, Ciara Ní Fhloinn, Julie Beckett (all visual artists); Dairena Ní Chinnéide (Literature); Breandán Ó Beaglaoich, Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich and Eithne Ní Chatháin (Music). Included also is the Con Horgan Circus West Kerry (Circus Art).
Each year the company administers a comprehensive action plan providing funding for schemes which benefit organisations and artists throughout the Gaeltacht areas.
There continues to be a substantial increase in the number of arts projects in the Gaeltacht since Ealaín na Gaeltachta was first established fourteen years ago, despite recent cuts in funding.
Dr Louis de Paor of Ionad an Léinn Éireannaigh, NUIG, a director of Ealaín na Gaeltachta, stressed the value of this type of bursary funding not only to the artists but to the wider community.
‘It is important to note the value which the arts sector can generate from a relatively modest investment of €50,000 – equivalent to the cost of a salary for one or two full time employees,” Dr. De Paor explained.
“Since the Gaeltachtaí are regarded as among the most significant locations for traditional and contemporary arts, the continuance and expansion of such funding makes absolute sense’ he added.
Ealáin na Gaeltachta’s new five year development plan for 2012-2016 will be published in the coming months.
