National campaign for the Arts Petition 2009

[laidback]

Agreed, there is abuse of the tax exemption and it certainly is not by struggling artists, it is by con-men like Bertie, it is a disgrace that he gets an exemption, who passes this exemption and under what criteria?

Revenue decide on exemption status for artists under the legislation. He will get it as there is at least one precedent I know of - Ruari Quinn got it for his memoirs. Revenue publish quarterly(?) list of artists who have now got exemption status so bertie's name should be on next Revenue list.

there could be an issue with his getting it while he still does not have a certificate of tax compliance. In fact there ought to be an issue about this!

[Christine Murray]

Revenue decide on exemption status for artists under the legislation. He will get it as there is at least one precedent I know of - Ruari Quinn got it for his memoirs. Revenue publish quarterly(?) list of artists who have now got exemption status so bertie's name should be on next Revenue list.

there could be an issue with his getting it while he still does not have a certificate of tax compliance. In fact there ought to be an issue about this!

I think we came to the conclusion that he did not write the book...

Links on "The National Campaign For The Arts" | Facebook

[Húrin]

Imagine how beautiful the world would be if nobody got paid for artistic activity. No economic considerations to limit the vision of creators. Imagine pure vocations, peopled only by genuine lovers of art. A truely egalitarian, cultural society. No fame industry. No parasitic "entreneurship". No hysteria. Nobody relying on the popularity of their creation to pay the rent. Just a bunch of 'part time' artists, painting pictures, writing songs and poems to try to get a little bit closer to understanding their lives.

All art should be local, and free. That's my dream.

So, as a lover of the arts, I will decline involvement with your petition.

Could your head be any further up in the clouds?

Arts should be funded by those that appreciate them. I don't want my taxes funding a bunch of work shy luvvies. If their art is good people will pay to see it or buy it. If it's not well.....tough.

Most art is not like books. You can't make lots of copies.

[Christine Murray]

The signature tally this morning is standing at 10,448 , which is great news. l don't believe Fianna Fail understand that a country needs art as an expression of its culture , as much as it needs sport. http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?ncfa

[Niceguyeddie]

Can I just ask, do those who've signed this petition believe that no reform is needed of the arts sector in this country? I would have signed most petitions affirming what Dot says above - that the arts are just as essential to our national identity and expression as sport.

However, the defensiveness of the petition (the tone, as I read it, is 'don't touch our piece of the pie') turns me off in a big way.

[Christine Murray]

one of the campaigners l know has had a national school musical programme threatened. if you starve the root, the tree don't grow.. the FF approach to the Arts is anti-development. Yes theres need for reform: Dump crony appointments and salaries and recognise criticism as constructive.

[Niceguyeddie]

Yes theres need for reform: Dump crony appointments and salaries and recognise criticism as constructive.

So why does the petition call for funding of the Arts Council to be maintained at the current level, without any mention of reforming it?

edit: Just to prevent misunderstanding, dot: I'd be inclined to sign it on principle, but preserving the status quo - crony appointments, fat salaries and all - is neither practical no feasible.

[Christine Murray]

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