Wednesday 3 February 2016

A RESPONSE TO THE CONSULTATION ON THE DCAL STRATEGY FOR CULTURE AND ARTS 2016-2026



MAKER'S MONEY
Investment in Entry-Level Artists

A draft proposal by Dave Duggan, dramatist and novelist, 3.2.2016


The purpose of the consultation by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland is to seek views on how arts and culture can best promote equality and tackle poverty and social exclusion: making arts and culture available to everyone.

Maker's Money is targeted investment in entry level artists, so they can make art. This meets the key focus of the consultation, which is the benefit of arts and culture to individuals, while ensuring maximum community benefit, value for money and public support. It assists the future recognition of the artists, their work and its value. It will enable artists to begin careers as practitioners, not facilitators, in Northern Ireland. The investment will deliver equality, strengthen the economy, contribute to the growth of the artistic workforce (a vital element in the creative sector), enhance the tourism offer and hearten us all, thus improving health and wellbeing.

Like all investments, it is not without risk. Making this investment in a confident manner, however, will enable artists, in particular new ones, to respond actively and make work across all artistic forms. Application and reporting can be minimal and not arduously administrative for a sole trader. The investment programme should be considered as long-term. Details would require working up, but, in outline, could include:
- An investment period of ten years, 2016-2026;
- an investment pot of £10, 000 per year, allocated as £2, 000 each for five individual artists per year, no artist being eligible for two Maker's Money investments;
- application is a one line statement of what the artist intends to make in Northern Ireland, supported by a brief cv of work previously made in Northern Ireland. As an investment in entry-level artists it is likely, but not necessary, that the investment would be made to younger practitioners. A receipt to confirm the investment has been received into the artist's bank account is the only reporting required.

The programme budget of £100, 000 over ten years can be allocated as part of the Department's overall budget in allocation models as used by Invest NI and Strategic Investment Board. Consideration could also be given to funds secured by the National Crime Agency in the form of 'assets recovered'. This investment programme would not replace SIAP funding offered by ACNI.

In enabling artists to make work using this investment the Vision of the draft strategy, to offer everyone an equal opportunity to achieve their aspirations and ambitions, while tackling social exclusion of artists in a manner that tackles wider exclusions in society by new, creative works and acts, can be delivered. The key theme of cultural togetherness is made manifest when a society confidently invests in makers who use their creativity and skills to make the work they wish to make. These artists contribute to their own and society's wellbeing through rich cultural expression, rooted in this place and reaching far beyond it.

Dave Duggan 3.2.2016


https://www.dcalni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-strategy-culture-arts-2016-2026


www.facebook.com/DaveDugganWriter


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