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The artists of Ireland - our painters, poets, performers, our filmmakers and musicians, all our creatives - are one of the island's greatest assets. Artists’ work enriches our lived experience, generates cultural value, community and inclusion.

Artists have the ability to stir our emotions, to give meaning to the human experience, and speak truth to power. Art highlights important issues that are affecting our world. Artists’ contributions help to enrich and nurture the spirit and mythologies of this island.

The cultural sector has important economic impact, employing approximately 60,000 people across Ireland and according to the Arts Council contributing €1.5bn to the Irish economy.

As artists we recognise that our work benefits the public realm contributing to culture and society, both economically and politically. We all share this island, impacted by the housing crisis, rising prices for food, utilities and the basic necessities of life. As art workers we wish to defend our creative culture, by making Ireland a country which works for all to live with dignity. Our work has means to give voice to the oppressed, to bring communities together.

In Catherine Connolly’s own words “Ireland has a rich cultural history of literature, drama and music, among many other arts. The creativity of our artists is known and valued the world over and is central to our sense of identity. The basic income for artists has been a welcome initiative. We should build on it by making it permanent and expanding it to allow all our artists to flourish and to enrich us all with their creativity.”

For art to thrive, we need leaders who respect creativity, safeguard freedom of expression, and work for a society where every person has the resources and dignity to live fully. That is why we are proud to support Catherine Connolly who has shown throughout her public life, a commitment to social justice, equality, and independence of thought. She has consistently championed the arts not as a luxury, but as a public good and has spoken for the voiceless in national debates, by having the courage to tell the truth.