THE MACNAS street theatre troupe is to cut three of its five full-time positions in response to the economic downturn.
The Galway-based company said yesterday it was involved in a restructuring and a review of resources because of the economic downturn and the recommendations of a consultant’s report.
A redundancy package is being offered to the staff affected by the cuts. “While we greatly regret having to do this, it is in the interests of the company’s future – and this is not the end of Macnas,” chairwoman Berni Smyth said.
The company said it would continue to deliver “bold, brash and inspiring moments”.
Arts Council funding was reduced by 15 per cent this year, she said, and the company expects that private sponsorship may also be affected during the downturn. Other key sponsors have been Galway City Council and the Galway Arts Festival, along with a number of city businesses.
Artistic director Noeline Kavanagh and a community co-ordinator will be retained on a full-time basis, while the affected posts are company buyer, performance co-ordinator and general manager.
Macnas still hopes to work with the affected staff, albeit in a different capacity, Ms Smyth said.
The company, based at the Fisheries Field on the banks of the river Corrib, still intends to develop a new workshop space on the city’s west side, subject to Galway City Council approval.
It has been promised €470,000 from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism for a “new home”.
It plans to continue work with Galway Arts Festival and is in discussions with the organisers of the Galway stopover for the Volvo Ocean Race and with the Baboró International Children’s Festival in the city, Ms Smyth said.
Ironically, a satire on the economic boom inspired “Mr Big” and his “9th wonder of the world” for the 21st birthday parade by Macnas at the 2007 Galway Arts Festival. The company, which relies heavily on volunteers, has entertained and enthralled Galway audiences for many years, spawning a commercial company, MacTeo which is now the independently-owned Arcana.
“As with all arts organisations, we too are working in challenging times. Now more than ever, the arts are needed to bring a distraction from the turbulent times in which we live, and Macnas has certainly been a catalyst in this area for over 21 years,” Ms Smyth said
As part of the review of Macnas, interviews and surveys were conducted throughout the organisation, Ms Smyth said. “The company has always been a leader in creative thinking and doing.
“Over the coming months Macnas will embrace the challenge of creating work in various contexts bringing bold, brash and inspiring moments whilst keeping its community at the core of this work,” Ms Smyth added.