Aosdana

The arts elite welcomes 7 new members

Aosdána, the affiliation of creative artists in Ireland, elects 7 new members at General Assembly in Armagh bringing its total membership to 246.

While this is the first time the Aosdána General Assembly has been held in Northern Ireland, the meeting reflects the long-standing tradition of all Ireland collaboration and interaction between artists and arts organisations.

New members include: Yvonne Farrell, Vona Groarke, Francis Harvey, Conor McPherson, Gráinne Mulvey, Sheila O'Donnell and Kevin Volans. Congratulations to them.

But what is Aosdana?
The Arts Council established Aosdána in 1981 to honour those artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the arts in Ireland, and to encourage and assist members in devoting their energies fully to their art.

Members of Aosdána may avail under certain conditions of the Cnuas, a stipend which is designed to enable them to devote their energies fully to their work. The Arts Council reassesses eligibility of the Cnuas every five years. (that's money, by the way)

I don't ever expect to get elected to such a high-falutin body. In the words of Groucho, I don't care to belong to any club that will have me as a member