'Opening Up' the Arts Council: The Barriers for Black Irish Artists

Image Credit: Cytonn Photography via Unsplash

Laura Molloy discusses the barriers black Artists are facing and the Arts Council Report ‘Open up’, which revealed that black artists have high rates of ineligible funding applications

In March 2024, The Arts Council published a report titled ‘Open Up’, which explored the barriers Black artists are facing in Ireland. The report revealed that Black and Black-Irish artists are the most likely of all ethnic groups to have their applications for funding deemed as ineligible. The most common reason stated for applications being assessed as unsuccessful was missing information. 

Table from Arts Council 'Open Up' Research Report 2023

Following the release of the report, Director of the Arts Council Mauren Kennelly said in a press statement, “As the funding body leading the development of arts in Ireland, it is imperative that we acknowledge the disparity in eligible applications of Black and Black-Irish artists. The information in this report will help us address these challenges. Our goal is to ensure that all artists and arts communities feel connected with us and believe that the Arts Council is accessible and approachable. Feedback and direction from the Black-Irish artistic community will be vital as to how we ensure a positive, collaborative future together.”

The report included many recommendations to help combat the barriers for these groups of artists. The recommendations were divided into seven different areas, such as policy development, application process, professional development, capacity building with arts organisation, community engagement and partnerships and research and evaluation. Efforts to improve policy and inclusion among organisations and artists were included in all of the above.

In addition to the actions the Arts Council has been suggested to take, the report also outlines strategies that artists have adopted to tackle the barriers to inclusion they are facing. As one of the key findings in the report highlighted a greater need for the sharing of information, artists have started to put more emphasis on networking and making contacts. 

A more expansive network can put artists in positions where they have more access to funding opportunities, support and promotion. Connections with arts managers and mainstream artists are crucial for minority artists navigating the industry. Not only do they offer a variety of support to the artists, but their connections increase the artists’ cultural capital. 

Developing cultural capital and skills was another strategy that was seen to be implemented. Artists were advised to “utilise technology and low-tech methods for self promotion, marketing, and information gathering”. Artists were also encouraged to make use of social platforms to reach a wider audience, and to acquire formal education and qualifications in the arts field.  

In order to achieve all of this, artists seek support from arts organisations and funding bodies. Organisations can offer support in a variety of ways for minority artists such as assistance with applications for funding, promotion, improving network connection, and sometimes performance venues. However, the report does note that it is these organisations that often have the power to shape inclusion within the industry. Advocacy from arts organisations can have a strong impact on the careers of minority artists. 

Minority artists are demonstrating a continuous effort to overcome stereotypes and biases by continuing to showcase their talents and pieces of work, despite the challenges they face along the way.

According to the report, artists proving their abilities is an opportunity to push for diversity and inclusion, and to reject ideas that artists with a minority background are less qualified to have their work included. Of course, the report does acknowledge the artists’ limitations on combating this issue. 

The report did not only include insights from arts organisations but also artists that are directly affected. The majority of artists showed a lack of awareness on what the Arts Council is and the service they provide. One artist said, “I had no clue. I didn't even know the Arts Council existed until I did that diversity project. Honestly, it almost feels like if you're not in [...] like artistic circles. It's not really that obvious.” 

Another commented, “It's like I was aware of the Arts Council, I didn't really know about funds made available for individuals in the kind of grants that were there. That wasn't something I was aware of.” 

Evidently, there is a significant need for an increase in the sharing of information between artists and arts managers from arts organisations around funding applications. Although, the report also draws on the issue of accessibility. According to the research, the most frequent problems for applicants were the “complexity” of the application forms and supporting materials, and the unclear language used in the documents. 

Artists in certain genres were also at a disadvantage because of the format of applications. The process focused heavily on written communication which did not align with all artists applying, particularly photographers, and those concentrated on dance and music. One artist expressed that they felt the format was heavily restricted for marginalised artists, “Can someone record themselves presenting the idea, and that be submitted, so it's more open to how the Arts Council receive it? If you let someone do something the way that they intend to do it, you're going to actually see this is what we're going to get.”

Another artist felt that the process favoured those with more experience rather than first time applicants.

“It feels like the application process works in favour of those with more experience, but highlights that Black artists are at a disadvantage getting that experience. Also there’s unequal access to endorsement. It feels there is bias in the selection process [toward] those who are Irish, have connections, fit the norm.” 

It is evident that there is significant racial inequality among artists in Ireland. While the Arts Council Report outlines the many barriers Black artists are facing, and the suggested actions for the Arts Council to take, it will be up to the next report to showcase any significant progress made.