Struggling Irish Artists may find a lifeline in the Royal Hibernian Academy’s latest fundraising campaign, which is hoped to exceed €50,000.
The body has donated €10,000 of their Hennessy Craig award, the largest painting prize in Ireland, issued every two years. Vanessa Moss, development officer at the institution, has said that: “Every other year there is an award. Does it make sense to give €20,000 to one person next year, when €10,000 of that could do so much for artists now?”
Her role has transitioned amid Covid-19, and she is now responsible for organising the RHA’s Really Helping Artists campaign. The crowdfunding campaign has already exceeded €26,000, with an anonymous donor pledging a further €10,000 once the crowdfunding exceeds €30,000.
The fund is available to all artists across Ireland, with Moss stating that: “There are no criteria except that you have to prove you’re a professional artist through membership of an organisation, such as Visual Artists Ireland.”
The body is planning on distributing funds in July and August, with artists invited to pitch ideas for sums between €100 and €1000. Moss has said that: “The criteria are based entirely on need. It doesn’t have to be art-related. If you have a legitimate need, we want to give you a helping hand.”
In an official statement, the RHA has said that while the grants are not intended as a replacement income, “they may lift a worry or anxiety about a bill, a rent payment, the cost of materials, even a grocery shop”.
Moss feels that Irish artists have suffered acutely during the outbreak. “Most artists don’t make a full wage from their art — they have additional jobs. Many teach, and younger artists might work in pubs or cafes — all the areas that were hit. A lot of artists who have casual jobs aren’t eligible for social welfare payments,” she notes.
“There have been no exhibitions and most artists haven’t a huge online setup. There hasn’t been a safety net for artists.”
