2008 Funding & Touring

Philadelphia Here I Come and its associated tour has only been made possible through assistance from the Arts Councils touring Experiment. The Touring Experiment is an action research project which will support, observe, and work in partnership with a number of artists, producers, companies, venues and venue networks over the course of two years. The Touring Experiment will then present recommendations which will be presented to the Arts Council in early 2008.However it is not expected that the Arts Council will be in a position to implement a support mechanism for further touring within 2008. This in our view will have very serious repercussions on the companies programming for 2008 and the momentum and progress made by the company in 2007 will be undermined through what will be effectively a cut in funding to Second Age in 2008.

Although the tour funding for 2007 are directly linked to the production of Philadelphia they aid resources for the company by freeing up other funds.

Put simply this further investment of €75,000 has
generated

• €260,000 box office.
  
• An additional 15,000 young audience members nationally.
  
• Employment for 25 artists over a 3 month contract period.
  
• Provided the company with a year round programme.

If this kind of funding cannot be continued into 2008,

• 15,000 young people will be denied access to quality curriculum drama.
  
• 300 Artists job weeks will disappear
  
• €260,000 Box Office revenue will be lost to the arts community.
  
• Second Age will lose its permanent full time staff
  
• Second Age will lose momentum and the efficient working practices that that generates.

We are asking that should our audience wish to help Second Age continue with its programme in 2008 that they assist us in lobbying for

• a bridging touring grant to be implemented in early 2008 and
  
• increased overall funding from government to the arts council.

We suggest that this lobby should be directed to:
Seamus Brennan Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, and
Mary Cloake, Director Arts Council of Ireland.

I shall add a more detailed list at a later stage of where we should be directing our lobby to. If you would like to comment on this please use the comment button below and we will publish your views and forward them on your behalf.