dThe Per Cent for Art Scheme is a Government initiative whereby 1% of the cost of any publicly funded capital, infrastructural and building development, subject to maximum limits, can be allocated to the commissioning of art projects and acquisition of artworks. The mechanisms for the implementation of this policy originated in the Public Art Research Project Steering Group Report to Government (1997), which was subject to Government Decision (S29498, May 1997). Since 1997 this scheme has been made available to all capital projects across all government departments.
In 2019, the Government raised the funding limits that had been in place since 1997, thereby significantly increasing the budgets available for investment in public art and artists in Ireland. In line with the PER CENT FOR ART SCHEME GENERAL NATIONAL GUIDELINES – 2004, the OPW may pool funding for projects to facilitate greater flexibility in the use of funds and to ensure that a range of artworks are available to meet a diverse range of client requirements.
The OPW has responsibility for management of the most widely distributed public art collection in the State with over 90% of c. 13,300 artworks on display in over 400 locations across the country. The State Art Collection includes both historical and contemporary paintings, original prints, sculpture, fine art and decorative objects, music, and poetry.
A summary table is provided below of OPW expenditure on Percent For Art funding received between 2019 – end April 2023:
|
Individual Percent For Art Transfers (Total)
|
Percent For Art Projects (2019 – 2023) Total Spend*
|
Pooled Art Funds (total)
|
Pooled Art Funds Total Spend
|
Overall Total Spend on 2019 – 2023 projects Per Annum
|
2019
|
€685,258.00
|
€63,746.96
|
€275,967.14
|
€380,637.14
|
€444,384.10
|
2020
|
€863,058.04
|
€153,805.27
|
€326,913.20
|
€230,328.27
|
€384,133.54
|
2021
|
€225,944.13
|
€25,240.01
|
€172,752.69
|
€161,183.6
|
€186,423.61
|
2022
|
€266,368.93
|
€0
|
€110,651.05
|
€121,079.83
|
€121,079.83
|
To April 2023
|
€212,908.83
|
€0
|
€46,682.64
|
€99,705
|
€99,705
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL:
|
€2,253,537.93
|
€242,792.24
|
€932,966.72
|
€992,933.84
|
€1,235,726.08
|
*Excludes spend on projects which started prior to 2019 and which may have taken place in 2019 – 2023.
The expenditure listed above does not include ongoing projects which started prior to 2019.
A detailed breakdown of the figures above is included in the attachment to this PQ.
Funding details