Madam, - Deirdre Falvey gave a really useful summary of the recent "Political Hustings" event organised by Theatre Forum, at which arts spokespersons from the main political parties outlined their policies (Artscape, April 28th). She reported that most of the parties were agreed on some aspects of arts policy and that "it was useful to see how the future of the arts is viewed by each of the parties".
However, it is in the final lines that the crux of the matter lies: "So, while there was general support for the arts as a good thing (along with motherhood and apple pie), and agreement of some issues, the future is unknown territory".
I attended the meeting on behalf of the Forum for Music in Ireland and, not for the first time, wondered how long politicians could talk about the need for "joined-up thinking" without actually producing the results of same.
Take, for example, just one issue that both Theatre Forum and the Forum for Music have been lobbying about for years - VAT on visiting artists' fees, which is causing serious problems for festivals around the country. Each spokesperson agreed that this was regressive and supported its elimination. Yet the Department of Finance has shown no inclination to change it.
Similarly, the Department of Education and Science has failed to give Music Network's feasibility study for the provision of local music services the attention it deserves (see www.musicnetwork.ie). This report was commissioned by the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism and delivered in 2003. Two excellent pilot projects resulted in Donegal and in Dublin which, sadly, are still fighting for survival.
The report of the Special Committee on Arts and Education is eagerly awaited in the hope it will produce some "joined-up" results. But why should we believe it will be any more effective than all the other reports which have been left to gather dust? Increased funding to the Arts Council has been significant in recent years and that is most welcome. But will our economic growth be used to let us catch up with other European countries' provision of music education and opportunity? In 2000, Sweden, with a population of 8.9 million, had 282 schools of music. Slovenia had 53 for a population of 2 million. Ireland had 12.
We in the Forum for Music in Ireland are asking people to engage with their local politicians on the doorsteps about a national policy for music. This is the only time politicians come to us - after May 24th, it's back to us trying to contact them. - Yours, etc,
Dr EVELYN GRANT, Chair, Forum for Music in Ireland, Dublin 8.