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Over the three years 2006, 2007 and 2008, we will establish - on a phased basis - new funding programmes to support artists and arts organisations across the spectrum of traditional arts practice (genres, styles, scales and settings) and across those serving a diversity of audiences. As these programmes are introduced, we will invite you to come and talk to us about your ideas, about how our funding programmes might support you, and about how you can, in turn, help in achieving these goals.

Who should read this?

You are a traditional musician, singer, dancer or storyteller who requires time to reflect, develop ideas or create work or who wishes to undertake career development opportunities, including professional development, mentoring, masterclasses and workshops in Ireland or abroad. (NB the terms ‘amateur’ and ‘professional’ do not apply to traditional arts practice)

You are involved in a band or group which is seeking to establish itself on the touring/festival circuit or further develop an existing career You are an individual or an organisation involved in the development, promotion or transmission of the traditional arts.

You wish to commission a traditional arts performance piece or a collaborative piece involving the traditional arts and another artform(s).

You work in or with a resource organisation that supports the traditional arts or you are interested in developing a resource organisation with potential for developing and supporting the traditional arts

You are working in or with a festival that:

• presents the traditional arts alone or alongside other artforms;
• promotes the profile and status of the traditional arts
• develops appreciation of, and access to the traditional arts
• provides employment opportunities for traditional artists

You are working in or with a venue that:

• offers consistent traditional arts programming of high quality;
• contributes to developing and sustaining audiences for traditional arts

You have ideas for a traditional arts project or event that will enhance your work as an artist and the wider traditional arts community

You have ideas for the promotion and marketing of the traditional arts nationally and internationally

You have established or are interested in establishing a partnership or network that will contribute towards the development of a consolidated infrastructure for the traditional arts.

You have proposals for touring traditional arts that will provide more venues with a wider range of high-quality performances, increase employment opportunities and serve a wider audience, locally, nationally and internationally.

In 2006, 2007 and 2008 a Traditional Arts Initiative will prioritise the traditional arts in order to realise the ambition of fully mainstreaming the traditional arts within the Arts Council’s activities. Actions within the Initiative will be introduced on a phased basis. We recognise that not all aspects of traditional arts fit comfortably within our current structures and commit to adopting a flexible approach that will allow for independence where appropriate. As we make progress, we will invite you to discuss ways in which you might assist us to:

• demonstrate a new understanding of the traditional arts (through the new traditional arts policy and initiative)
• stabilise existing key players (funding and support to ITMA, NPU etc.) o consolidate a basic infrastructure for the traditional artforms, artists and arts practices (working with local arts officers)
• develop and support networks and partnerships between key players (ACNI/ACE joint proposal) 
• identify gaps in the current provision for traditional arts and address such gaps (resource organisation; Traditional arts programming scheme: TAPS)
• develop new funding initiatives that will enable the traditional arts community to engage with us (Deis) o raise the profile of our work and the opportunities available through our funding programmes among the traditional arts community (Information Clinic campaign) 
• encourage and support collaborations between the traditional arts and other forms of arts practice (Deis)
• work alongside the traditional arts community to improve the appreciation of traditional arts among the general public 
• use existing and on-going sources of information and initiate new research that will strengthen the case for the traditional arts (Deis review, other research to be commissioned) 
• enhance communications with the traditional arts community through on-going dialogue and formal and informal briefings o create flexible mechanisms for us to work with the traditional arts community towards an improved and informed mutual trust and understanding

Over the next three years, we will be seeking partners to work with us in advocating for:

• Better traditional arts education provision within the formal education curricula;
• A higher profile in the media for the traditional arts;
• Increased understanding of and access to royalties and rights for traditional artists;
• Recognition of the traditional arts within Aosdána.