Representatives from the Arts & Culture Sector met with Minister Jimmy Deenihan on November 7th 2013 to discuss difficulties faced by those seeking to make a living within this sector.
[Read more…]
Arts & Culture sector representatives meet with Minister Deenihan
Representatives from the Arts & Culture Sector met with Minister Jimmy Deenihan on November 7th 2013 to discuss difficulties faced by those seeking to make a living within this sector.
[Read more…]
Irish Equity AGM
Read the Minutes from the Irish Equity AGM which was held in Liberty Hall on Sunday 13th October 2013 READ MORE
For the attention of all members
Dear Member, Our colleagues in the Irish Collecting Society Recorded Artists Actors Performers Ltd (RAAP) have advised us that the Spanish Collecting Society AIGSE have collected, on behalf of Irish Artists, the sum of €80,000. READ MORE
Irish Equity condemns Budget 2014 for further erosion of arts funding
Job losses and a reduction in Ireland’s tourism potential are the inevitable outcome of plans in Budget 2014 to implement a sixth successive year of funding cuts in the arts sector, according to SIPTU Arts and Culture Sector Organiser, Karan O’Loughlin.
Overall, the arts sector is due to see its funding reduced from €250 million in 2013 to €233 million in 2014, an overall cut of 7%, under plans announced by the Government in Budget 2014 on Tuesday (15th October).
Karan O’Loughlin, said: “The cuts will greatly affect actors, musicians and theatre workers as the already limited pool of work dries up even further. [Read more…]
Irish Equity to complain to RTÉ concerning use of non-professional actors
Irish Equity intends to lodge a formal complaint with RTÉ concerning television productions use of non-professional actors.
SIPTU Arts and Culture Sector Organiser, Karan O’Loughlin, said: “Irish Equity has expressed exasperation at the continuing debate concerning the employment of non-professional actors on professional productions in the Republic of Ireland.
“With only a limited amount of work for actors, Irish Equity believes there is no reason for any producer to hire amateur actors when the professional standard in is so high. It appears that the profession of acting is just not taken seriously. [Read more…]
Irish Equity update to the wider acting community
There has been a lot of confusion over recent months regarding the status of Irish Equity and its relationship with SIPTU and Equity UK. While we have been communicating regularly with our members, we are aware that a number of Irish actors are not active members of Irish Equity or are members of our sister union in the UK.
Following our AGM on Sunday 13th October 2013, we’d like to take this opportunity to update the wider acting community on the latest developments. [Read more…]
Arts Sector begins to Process Another Hefty Cut
This week’s budget saw the Arts take another hefty cut. Analysis by the National Campaign for the Arts estimate that the budget represents approximately a 7% overall cut to the arts, including a 7% cut to the Arts Council.
Over the coming weeks, the ramifications of this sixth successive year of cuts will begin to become more clear. In the meantime, here is a link to the NCFA’s analysis:
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Dear Colleague,
You may recall that, at our last Exec meeting, I reminded you that the Union was in the process of presenting a complaint [Read more…]
EQUITY AGM
Hello All,
Please find links to the formal notice for this year’s AGM along with a Nomination Form and a form for submitting a Motion. These forms can be posted to Irish Equity, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 or can be emailed to equity@siptu.ie.
The meeting will start at 2.30 p.m. but we are asking members to come along at about 2pm for tea/coffee so that we can make a timely start to 2.30 p.m. Our colleagues from Equity UK will be addressing the meeting as will SIPTU Vice President Patricia King so I look forward to a good discussion with you all.
I hope you can make it on the day.
Karan O’Loughlin
Sectoral Organiser
Irish Equity
Arts & Culture Sector
SIPTU
Acclaimed actor who looked out for colleagues
Stage and screen actor Susan Fitzgerald has died following a long battle with cancer. Susan was a versatile and talented actor who performed across theatre, television and film. She was married to the artistic director of the Gate theatre, Michael Colgan, who survives her along with her children Sarah, Sophie and Richard. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues in Equity and the artistic community. Her funeral took place in Dublin on Wednesday 11th September.
Her Equity colleague, Laurence Foster, recalls working with Susan: “On behalf of Equity President, Padraig Murray, and the Executive Committee we wish to convey our personal tribute to our colleague, Susan Fitzgerald.
“In May 1974, the cast of TV’s The Riordans embarked on a long tour of the celebrated play, Peg o’ My Heart. I was cast as Sir Gerry and the young, snobbish daughter, was played by Susan Fitzgerald. She was Ethel personified: proud, ethereal, infuriating. The prolonged run exceeded 200 performances and, like Susan’s friendships, her acting was consistent and her talent formidable. “Susan kept her life private, but was so generous on stage and in the green room. She radiated charm and elegance in everything she did, and her many Gate Theatre performances were iconic. “In 2006 we shared an apartment in Charleston, South Carolina while touring with the Gate Theatre. Even Susan’s penchant for losing the car in multi-storey parks was endearing, but her social skills were abundant, never at a loss in the most exalted company and always looking after fellow actors.
“Her untimely exit has left a void in the theatre world and in our hearts, but her legacy will live forever. May God hold her in the palm of his hand.”
Laurence Foster is a member of the Equity Executive
