The Guide

Sara Keating: Giving voice to those who challenge the actuality of meaningful exchange

A 70th anniversary celebration essay from two black community activists reminds us that the Arts Council’s power derives from the people it supports

Ntumba Family walking By Copper Face Jacks, Harcourt Street, Dublin from the Éireann and I exhibition Reverberate opening at the Galway Arts Centre

In January of 1952, the Arts Council of Ireland held its inaugural meeting. Patrick J Little was appointed director, and was allocated a secretary, a messenger boy and a budget of £10,000 to support Irish artists for the coming year. Taoiseach Éamon de Valera was in attendance, as was John A Costello, the former taoiseach, who was responsible for passing the Arts Act in parliament in 1951, the foundational legislation for the council.

“There [can] ...