From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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Former US First Lady Michelle Obama once asked:
“Do we settle for the world as it is, or do we work for the world as it should be?”
As Minister for Culture and Arts, I am very disturbed by today’s report. The findings clearly establish that there is unfortunately an environment of acceptance that allows perpetrators to have disproportionate control and power. This must stop. I will not settle for the status quo. Now it is time to deliver change and for all of us to make that change, together.
We are here to launch the Speak Up: A Call For Change Report commissioned by Irish Theatre Institute as part of its Speak Up Initiative. I thank the Irish Theatre Institute, and its co-directors Siobhán Burke and Jane Daly who have brought commitment and passion to this very important task. They have given voices to the voiceless, and for that they deserve our recognition and thanks.
This report is part of what we know as the Speak Up & Call It Out initiative which was led by the Irish Theatre Institute following the events and revelations of abuses of power in 2017 and 2018 and in line with global calls to action. Speak Up & Call It Out was the first phase and was followed by Phase II Speak Up ACTiON.
A core element of the Speak Up: A Call For Change Report is the survey responded to by 1,345 people many of whom are in attendance right now. I wish to thank each and every one of you right across the arts sector, who responded to the survey, who revisited and related your lived experience of the damaging behaviour that you experienced and witnessed. Thanks to your participation we now have a firmer grasp/understanding of the real extent of individual’s experiences of seven damaging behaviours - Bullying, Humiliation, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Victimisation, Sexual Assault and Assault and that they occur right across the arts sector.
There are layers of disturbing elements that emerge from this survey. The majority of the instances reported took place in the workplace and that the majority of perpetrators are reported to hold positions of authority, often with no consequences for their actions. I also recognise the likelihood that many of the organisations where these abusers and bullies work, are in receipt of public funding. Everyone, regardless of their profession, has a right to dignity in their work place and I want to take this opportunity to speak directly to those who have abused their position of power – there is no place for such conduct and attitudes in our beloved arts community.
This, put simply, is not good enough.
Survey respondents were asked what actions they felt would promote dignity at work in the arts. 46% identified sectoral leadership as important, 21% felt that raising awareness and education was paramount, 18% suggested policies and toolkits and 16% saw training as important. These views have been taken into account in guiding our response to the situation.
I want to reassure the respondents to the survey that I have heard your voice. I support the recommendations in the Report. I and my Department will continue to work with the Irish Theatre Institute, with the Arts Council, with Screen Ireland and with resource organisations in the arts sector to promote a safer and more respectful working environment going forward. The Irish Theatre Institute will now turn its attention to Phase III of Speak Up ACTiON
Addressing this problem requires a change in culture in every sector of the arts. It may take time, but I am determined to work to ensure that this culture change will happen.
The first Recommendation calls for leadership from the top down to effect meaningful change. That is not just my leadership as Minister. We need leadership from every arts organisation across the State. To Directors and Boards in the arts what would be your response if asked “How do you know that there is no damaging behaviour in your organisation?” As senior leaders it is your responsibility to build a positive culture in your organisation and provide a dignified workplace. We will provide you with help and guidance.
The Irish Theatre Institute will be funded to continue its work into Phase III using the results of the survey as a starting point. In actioning the recommendations of the Report, we will:
• Develop a Code of Behaviour that organisations can adopt and in doing so declare their commitment to providing a safe and dignified workplace. The Code will be accessible on-line along with a register that organisations and individuals can formally sign.
• Develop a Dignity in the Workplace Toolkit for arts organisations and individuals that will contain comprehensive information on supports and resources for independent workers. This will provide a suite of training tools, starting with Bystander Training and Intimacy Co-ordination and incorporate behaviour modules onto all arts-related accredited courses.
• Expand existing resources including access to counselling, HR, mediation/legal consultation free of charge to artists-arts workers. In this area, Minding Creative Minds, which is funded by my Department has been providing an exemplary service since 2020.
• Develop arrangements for the confidential reporting of harmful behaviours without fear of reprisal.
• Build cross-sectoral support for change
• Continue research in this area and in particular commit to further follow-up surveys to monitor the success of our actions.
Most particularly, we will also work with our funding agencies – the Arts Council and Screen Ireland – to require organisations to commit to the Code of Behaviour as a condition of funding. It will be crucial also that publicly funded organisations report regularly on actions. Continued funding will be linked with the highest standards of governance and dignity at work principles.
As Minister, I want to send out a clear message that Dignity in the workplace is the right of every artist and arts worker. These recommendations outline a shared way forward for everyone who works in the arts sector.
There are other sectors outside of the arts that are experiencing similar revelations. I will work with my Cabinet colleagues to share best practice and co-ordinate action.
Before I finish, I want to express my thanks and admiration to the research team for an excellent job. Congratulations to Dr Ciara L. Murphy, Dr Brenda Donohue, Conall Ó Duibhir, Dr Peter Campbell and Olwen Dawe for all their work.
As the old Irish Proverb goes; ‘Anáil na beatha an t-athrú’ - Change is the breath of life. Tá sé tábhachtach go dtapódh muid an deis seo anois chun athraithe a chur i bhfeidhm, chun áit sábháilte oibre a chinntiú dóibh siúd ar fad atá ag obair in earnáil na h-ealaíona in Éirinn, anois agus sna blianta amach romhainn.’
To everyone here, I stand with you, I stand with the arts community, change is coming. Let’s work on it together.
Go raibh maith agat