Sir, - Undoubtedly, the shortage of suitably qualified Irish people for "a new wave of arts management positions" (Arts, April 20th) is important when millions of pounds are being invested in the physical arts infrastructure. Unfortunately your article seemed to miss the most interesting point. During the 1990s, every year a significant number of the top arts managers have left their positions never to apply again for a similar position. Consequently - and contrary to the article - there is a large pool of very experienced arts managers sitting on the sidelines. The pertinent questions are: Why did they go? Where did they go to? How can they be drawn back?
Filling senior positions with UK-based candidates is hardly more than a stop-gap strategy for something more fundamentally wrong. Much more pertinent and difficult questions need to be asked before it may be too late and the disillusionment too great. - Yours, etc.,
J. Graeve,
Gray Street,
Dublin 8.