The National Campaign for the Arts is up and running, folks, with a brand new website: www.ncfa.ie, and a very real agenda – to assert the importance of the arts to economic recovery. The campaign also calls for the retention of Culture Ireland, the retention of the Irish Film Board, the maintenance of funding to the Arts Council, the retention of the artists’ income tax exemption scheme, and a commitment to retain the arts portfolio at cabinet as part of a senior ministerial portfolio. And why? Because those involved – producers, festivals, venues and organisations involved in all manner of arts – believe the arts are central to economic and social recovery. Here’s what Gerry Godley, director of Improvised Music Co, thinks . What do you think?