CIRCA 89: Article
In his article in CIRCA (Issue 88, Summer 1999) Patrick Murphy outlines a strategy for Irish artists and arts organisations planning to travel to or target the U.S. for their work and projects. It is sound advice, and yet to follow his recommendation that you "stay away from anything Irish American" is to ignore the opportunity of working with the many organisations that have been set up to assist, facilitate and foster connections between the more than 40,000,000 Americans who claim Irish descent and Ireland. This constituency, around eight times the population of Ireland, is the driving force behind U.S. support for the Peace Process and initiatives such as the Morrison Visas, as well as a significant number of cultural projects and initiatives.
Various groups are there to help with advice, assistance and contacts for the artist or organisation coming to New York—although it has to be said that while the advice is abundant, the cash is in short supply. However, it is important to remember (as both Patrick Murphy in CIRCA 88, and the Arts Council in the Arts Plan 1999-2001 point out) that the climate for funding in America is different from the culture of state subvention that exists in Europe. Ireland enjoys at least four times the level of public support for the arts per capita as the U.S.
Equally, in a society where the market is as vast as that of New York (for example), advice, connections and contacts can prove in the long term to be far more important than dollars and cheques.
The following are details of some key organisations to contact.
The Irish American Cultural Institute
Founded in 1962, the IACI has an international membership with chapters across the U.S., and a new chapter is being launched in Dublin at Trinity College this autumn. The IACI's mission is "to explore the heritage of Ireland—and of the Irish abroad, particularly in America, to foster growth of this heritage and to increase awareness of its rich diversities." Along with the Irish Arts Councils, the IACI is associated with the Irish studio residencies at P.S.1. The IACI also runs various cultural awards and programmes, including the O'Malley Art Award, the Butler Literary Award and Irish Artists in Residence. The Institute owns the IACI/O'Malley Art Collection (which will be exhibited across Ireland soon in association with IMMA, and various other centres), and publishes Éire—Ireland, the leading American journal of Irish Studies. The next issue of Éire—Ireland is devoted to the visual arts, and will be out this autumn. While the IACI is only able to disburse funds through their programmes, Executive Director Deirdre Glenn is extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the Irish arts and cultural scene in the U.S., making frequent trips to Ireland. They are well worth getting in touch with.
Contact: Deirdre Glenn at (+973) 605 1991, fax (+973) 605 8875, e-mail irishwaynj@aol.com.
Glucksman Ireland House
Situated in an atmospheric mews house just off Washington Square, Glucksman Ireland House is worth dropping into even if only to enjoy the treat of such an old and resolutely low-rise building at the very bottom of 5th Avenue. Glucksman Ireland House was established in 1991 to "create a center that would focus solely on Irish Studies and culture." The center runs a programme for members which includes public events such as talks and lectures by Irish writers, artists and film makers; courses; conferences; films; exhibitions and readings. There is also a library. The center is also a place where students can go to find out about Irish Studies programmes. More importantly for Irish people going to New York, the staff at Glucksman Ireland House are extremely helpful and knowledgeable about who to get in touch with, who is in town, who to call and so on.
Contact: Dr Patricia King, or Eliza O'Grady at (+212) 998 3950, fax (+212) 995 4373, e-mail ireland.house@nyu.edu or on the web at www.nyu.edu/pages/irelandhouse .
The American Ireland Fund
The American Ireland Fund (AIF) is another reliable source of information regarding the American scene. At times they seem to have contacts with just about everybody in the U.S., and they do try to help. Executive Director Kingsley Aitkins heads up the organisation, with representation in most major cities. Kingsley is located in Boston, while the New York office is run by AIF Regional Directors Liza Palmer and Tom Kennedy. The AIF gives grants according to set guidelines and deadlines and these are all detailed along with lists of former recipients on their website.
Contact: Tom Kennedy, or Liza Palmer at (+212) 689 7600, fax (+212) 689 8482 or on the web at www.irlfunds.org .
Ireland House
The Irish Consulate is at Ireland House, 345 Park Avenue, New York. Deputy Consul General Adrian McDaid is a strong supporter of Irish art and culture in New York. The Consulate is not a grant-giving organisation itself, but it does hold receptions, readings and lectures from groups and performers coming to town.
Contact the Consulate on (+212) 319 2554 or fax them (+212) 980 9475 with the details of your project, and they will let you know how or where you might find assistance.
International Arts Briefing USA
Published by the Arts Council of England's publications office, and available from them at £5.50 stg, International Arts Briefing USA is an extremely useful directory giving an outline of the organisational structures, context, contacts and sources for information on the arts in North America.
Contact: The full list of The Arts Council of England's publications is available from the Publishing and Library Services department on (+171) 973 6531.
The Irish Arts Center
The Irish Arts Center is harder to get hold of. International Director Enquiries in Dublin had never heard of them, and having at last discovered the phone number, I called and e-mailed many times to no avail. The Center does however have an exhibition space, performance area, and a programme of art exhibitions, screenings, lectures and music. So try telephoning, or call into them at 553 West 51st Street, New York.
Contact: Pauline Turley(+212) 757 3318, e-mail irishartscenter@yahoo.com.
Arts and Business Council Inc.
Cothú's and ABSA's counterpart in the U.S., the Arts and Business Council "promotes the mutuality of arts and business partnerships…" Though unlikely to have ready cash, they can be an interesting port of call for information on who is sponsoring what, and what is going on in the business end of the sponsorship equation.
Contact: Leonard Fleischer (Director of External Affairs) on (+212) 727 7146, fax (+212) 727 3783, email lfleischer@artsandbusiness.org, or on the web at www.artsandbusiness.org .
Gemma Tipton is a writer.
Article reproduced from CIRCA 89 Autumn 1999, pp. 12-13
