Provision of research and consultation services on artform and arts practices in Ireland

The Arts Council is committed to “ensuring that everyone who lives in Ireland has the opportunity to engage with, and participate in the arts” (Arts Council EDI Policy) as a basic human right (EU Charter of Fundamental Rights). Our aim is to promote existing good practice and build on areas for improvement to ensure that the arts in Ireland truly become open to all. We would like to conduct research to explore the following questions: Why do we have artform/arts practice definitions and what is their role? How do other arts councils define/decide what artforms/arts practices are funded? How do we ensure that considerations around artistic quality and inclusivity are aligned? Is what we support reflective of current and emerging artistic practice? How could artform/arts practice definitions cause barriers to engaging with and participating in the arts? To what extent could the Arts Council be more agile and inclusive of evolving artforms and arts practices?