Legislation has been introduced to amend the Arts Act to ensure that comedy is specifically or explicitly recognised as an art form within the arts, in order to allow comedians access to Arts Council funding.
Sinn Féin arts spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh said “all it requires is one word to be added to the Arts Act, that is, comedy. It is simple. That is literally what it is. It is a very simple piece of legislation which would address the problem of the exclusion of that form of art.”
The Arts (Recognition of Comedy) (Amendment) Bill 2024 should not be necessary, he said.
“The Arts Council could address this issue quite quickly ... by deciding to broaden its interpretation and to act to end the exclusion of comedians from the funding opportunities and resources that are available for other artists.”
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He said that “currently the law allows for comedians to be recognised as artists either under the umbrella of theatre or as a form of art not explicitly mentioned in the legislation”.
“But that is the problem” and the Department of Arts and Culture “has admitted as much”.
He said Minister for Arts Catherine Martin could act immediately and “issue a policy directive to the Arts Council to broaden its interpretation to cover comedy. That is her right under section 5 of the Arts Act, 2003″.
He added that in the absence of any such action it fell on TDs as legislators “to make the law clearer to ensure there is no exclusion or any doubt in respect of comedy as a form of art or of comedians as artists”.
Mr Ó Snodaigh added that “we could say this is a laughing matter and talk puns but we have all watched and listened to comedians and enjoyed it. When times are dark, sometimes, that is the best form of medicine”.
The Dublin South-Central TD said a petition signed by 1,300 people called for “stand up, improv and sketch comedy to be recognised and funded by the Arts Council”.
He pointed out that in other countries, “comedy and comedians are recognised and have the support of the relevant arts councils, such as in Scotland and New Zealand.
“If you look around the country, there are absolutely fabulous festivals both in Dublin and in Kilkenny, Galway and all around the country. Venues pop up, close and pop up again all around. They provide a platform. We also enjoy comedy on our television, radio and in films.”
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl commended Mr Ó Snodaigh “for putting forward an entirely positive and simple piece of legislation. He is right in what he said; at the lowest times in our lives, our comedians have the ability to lift our spirits. That is what we need.”
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