Sir, – The departure of Eugene Downes as chief executive of Culture Ireland (Home News, May 5th) coincides with the critical review by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the future structure and independence of that importance cultural agency, as well as imminent decisions on the proposed amalgamation of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery of Ireland and the Crawford Gallery.
The National Campaign for the Arts is extremely concerned that key cultural infrastructure is being undermined and calls upon Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin and Minister for the Arts Jimmy Deenihan to introduce a consultation process so that public and artists alike can openly address the future management of our unique cultural resources. The arts are central to our lives, and will play an important part in the future wellbeing of our society. Our institutions will be vital to that, and we’ll pay a high price later if we unravel them now.
During his five-year tenure as chief executive of Culture Ireland, Eugene Downes transformed the mechanisms through which art from Ireland projects itself internationally, and carved out an enhanced Irish presence in the dynamic, competitive area of cultural export.
The National Campaign for the Arts applauds his signal achievements in advancing Ireland’s cultural reputation in the international sphere, at a time when we have needed it most. – Yours, etc,