Outrage at Arts Council cutbacks
Sunday January 11 2009
THE Arts Council are at the centre of a furious row after an opera company claimed it was forced to suspend its entire 2009 programme because of what it slated as "iniquitous" grant cutbacks.
Cork's Opera 2005 last night confirmed it will not proceed with planned productions this year after its entire grant aid package was slashed.
Privately, opera officials are outraged at the decision and the fact they were offered no explanation as to why they lost their entire budget while other companies received the same grants as last year.
"It is with sadness and regret that the Board of Opera 2005, the professional opera production company based in Cork, announces that it is suspending all major productions for 2009," a spokesman told the Sunday Independent.
"This decision has been taken reluctantly, but the board has been forced into action as a result of the Arts Council 2009 grant decisions."
Opera 2005 officials were left reeling when they learned that, having received €110,000 in Arts Council aid last year, their funding for 2009 was wiped out.
"In 2008, the company mounted critically lauded productions in both Cork and Limerick and brought their acclaimed education and outreach programme to schools and community groups annually throughout Munster," the spokesman said.
The quality of Opera 2005's work is such that it has been nominated for several awards.
- Ralph Riegel
