Comments
I’m signing this letter because sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination in the Arts sector is our dirty little secret. Everyone knowing about it, but no one able to speak up for fear of being labelled 'difficult' and therefore not getting work in an already oversubscribed sector. En masse, we can enforce a code of conduct. Like so many things we have to fight for, it seems a very basic thing to be asking for. A code of conduct so there is some recourse when dealing with a bully or harasser. The same work safety protection that other workers get should be extended to the Arts sector.
- Siobhán McSweeney
This is a hugely important challenge - to set the house in order, once and for all. It cannot be ignored or trivialised. Those privileged by receiving public money have an added responsibility to implement ethical practices.
- Jack Harte
It is essential that Irish poets, publishers and writers get behind this call for ethical standards and governance. We should all stand together on this.
- John W Sexton
I work with LGBT people living in direct provision, including artists. They are constantly exposed to harassment and bullying, due to the institutionalized poverty they are forced to remain in.
- Evgeny Shtorn
The concentration of power and influence in too few hands is concerning in itself, but when that power is abused there must be a way to call it to account. I'm wholly behind this.
- Trevor Joyce
Much needed.
- Celia de Fréine
Reform on this area is long overdue.
- Geraldine Meaney (UCD)
We call for full transparency and accountability within arts funding bodies, and a legitimate, discreet but formal process to which to safely report such incidents.
- Orla Russell-Conway
Adding my name especially regarding the allocation of funds that never end up making it to the BAME communities who are used as token aspects for free, less likely to be published and meaningfully included - unless in the form of trauma porn for 'charity' feel good factor of gatekeepers.
Intersectional spaces are abysmal in Irish poetry and Arts - no good for the young people coming through.
If you don't invest in making safe, inclusive and uplifting spaces for intersectional realities then your Arts scene will wither & atrophy - as well it should.
- Shiva R Joyce
I’m particularly concerned about conflict of interest, where one person essentially runs an Arts organisation single-handedly or with a Board that is essentially not doing its job.
- Madeleine D'Arcy
Arts sectors deserve the same protections and regulations that all other professional sectors have.
I sincerely hope this open letter will shift the balance and establish a better environment for fellow creatives.
- Geneva Pattison
I fully support each demand made in this letter. I sincerely ask that those who read it take care to understand that great hurt and attrition has led to its drafting and publication.
- Seán Kiely, Poet
Sending my wholehearted support to those brave enough to demand necessary change.
- Sandeep Parmar
Accountability is the lifeblood of a healthy arts community, and there are far too many senior figures who seem to consider themselves exempt from consequences. That needs to end immediately.
Best of luck to everyone working as part of this movement, thank you for everything you're doing.
- Dave Coates
Worked in arts admin & related areas on & off for many years, I have experienced first-hand the inherent sexism & misogyny. Frequently had my complaints treated as either attention-seeking or an inability to “take a joke”. The poetry scene in Cork is tainted by an old boys club & an attitude of superiority by men who in public declare themselves feminists but in reality are anything but.
Congratulations for finally shining a light on this!
- Susan Burke-Trehy
I would very much like my name added to this list as it is providing a much needed oversight initiative and anything that increases safety and transparency in these matters is crucial. Thank you.
- Emmet O'Brien
I believe in this movement and am glad to be a part of it.
- Steve Denehan
I would like to add my name to the petition to the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. Ethical and respectful behaviour towards fellow human beings should be normal in all spheres including the Arts.
- Deirdre McMahon
The arts is too often ignored and when it's not the funds are delivered to the same tried and tested places that don't protect, support or promote Irish artists.
- Anonymous
Real solutions to provide equity to the voices that need to be encouraged, nurtured, and heard are needed. Our community is too small to have strata of inequality and abuse of power against a section of voices, of artists, of people. It is unacceptable in this day and age where we are striving for a better society. We have to work to make things better.
- Paul McCarrick
There can be no freedom of speech in art if those who speak are not themselves free.
-Kathryn Keane
Please add my name to the list of signatories, thank you, and keep up the great work.
- Arnold Thomas Fanning
A long overdue initiative.
- David Butler
I wholeheartedly support this very important initiative. Please add your support, too.
- Tadhg Coakley
This is a very important issue that needs to be addressed.
- Derek Flynn
Please add my name to the list. I’m 31 and have been writing poetry since I was 13 yrs old. The first time I stood on a stage to recite my poetry I was 20 and the only female at the gig..... It took me almost 10 years to recite poetry in a public forum again.
- Melissa Plunkett
It is time to understand this insidious behaviour is unacceptable and must be changed.
- Peter Nolan
I'd like to add my signature to the list. This initiative is an important step towards forging a literary landscape worth having.
- Colin Walsh
There is a desperate need for individuals both employed and freelance to have a voice and channel to share concerns and complaints without fear.
- Gemma Gallagher
I totally agree with the sentiments expressed in this document. Those dispensing public monies and those in receipt of them need to agree a clear, transparent code of conduct!
- Máirtín Ó Briain
Signing because I hope this is sending a clear message to anyone in the sector who is taking advantage of their 'position of power' to behave inappropriately and manipulatively that the days of behaving that way with impunity are over.
- Abby Oliveira
Well done for doing this. Long overdue.
- Ruth Patten
I believe in openness and fairness in all things. The issues raised by #wakeupirishpoetry need to be addressed. I feel it’s shameful that it has gone this long in a country which is supposed to value the arts so highly. I hope that good can come of this letter, and awareness and simple kindness can be “weaponised” to ensure fair play, honesty, and an end to abuses; physical, mental, and financial. Thank you for your hard work and bravery in creating this website and curating this open letter.
- Emmet Driver-O’Donnell
I support Kathy D'Arcy and all activists working to make the Irish poetry scene one that is free from abuse of position and power. It is time these concerns were taken with the gravity that they deserve.
- Sarah Brazil
Any measure taken against abuse, especially of an institutionally-protected nature, is not only welcome but necessary.
- Daniel Wade
...to add your comment, send us a message using the 'contact' page - make sure to give us written permission to use your comment with your name.
- Siobhán McSweeney
This is a hugely important challenge - to set the house in order, once and for all. It cannot be ignored or trivialised. Those privileged by receiving public money have an added responsibility to implement ethical practices.
- Jack Harte
It is essential that Irish poets, publishers and writers get behind this call for ethical standards and governance. We should all stand together on this.
- John W Sexton
I work with LGBT people living in direct provision, including artists. They are constantly exposed to harassment and bullying, due to the institutionalized poverty they are forced to remain in.
- Evgeny Shtorn
The concentration of power and influence in too few hands is concerning in itself, but when that power is abused there must be a way to call it to account. I'm wholly behind this.
- Trevor Joyce
Much needed.
- Celia de Fréine
Reform on this area is long overdue.
- Geraldine Meaney (UCD)
We call for full transparency and accountability within arts funding bodies, and a legitimate, discreet but formal process to which to safely report such incidents.
- Orla Russell-Conway
Adding my name especially regarding the allocation of funds that never end up making it to the BAME communities who are used as token aspects for free, less likely to be published and meaningfully included - unless in the form of trauma porn for 'charity' feel good factor of gatekeepers.
Intersectional spaces are abysmal in Irish poetry and Arts - no good for the young people coming through.
If you don't invest in making safe, inclusive and uplifting spaces for intersectional realities then your Arts scene will wither & atrophy - as well it should.
- Shiva R Joyce
I’m particularly concerned about conflict of interest, where one person essentially runs an Arts organisation single-handedly or with a Board that is essentially not doing its job.
- Madeleine D'Arcy
Arts sectors deserve the same protections and regulations that all other professional sectors have.
I sincerely hope this open letter will shift the balance and establish a better environment for fellow creatives.
- Geneva Pattison
I fully support each demand made in this letter. I sincerely ask that those who read it take care to understand that great hurt and attrition has led to its drafting and publication.
- Seán Kiely, Poet
Sending my wholehearted support to those brave enough to demand necessary change.
- Sandeep Parmar
Accountability is the lifeblood of a healthy arts community, and there are far too many senior figures who seem to consider themselves exempt from consequences. That needs to end immediately.
Best of luck to everyone working as part of this movement, thank you for everything you're doing.
- Dave Coates
Worked in arts admin & related areas on & off for many years, I have experienced first-hand the inherent sexism & misogyny. Frequently had my complaints treated as either attention-seeking or an inability to “take a joke”. The poetry scene in Cork is tainted by an old boys club & an attitude of superiority by men who in public declare themselves feminists but in reality are anything but.
Congratulations for finally shining a light on this!
- Susan Burke-Trehy
I would very much like my name added to this list as it is providing a much needed oversight initiative and anything that increases safety and transparency in these matters is crucial. Thank you.
- Emmet O'Brien
I believe in this movement and am glad to be a part of it.
- Steve Denehan
I would like to add my name to the petition to the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. Ethical and respectful behaviour towards fellow human beings should be normal in all spheres including the Arts.
- Deirdre McMahon
The arts is too often ignored and when it's not the funds are delivered to the same tried and tested places that don't protect, support or promote Irish artists.
- Anonymous
Real solutions to provide equity to the voices that need to be encouraged, nurtured, and heard are needed. Our community is too small to have strata of inequality and abuse of power against a section of voices, of artists, of people. It is unacceptable in this day and age where we are striving for a better society. We have to work to make things better.
- Paul McCarrick
There can be no freedom of speech in art if those who speak are not themselves free.
-Kathryn Keane
Please add my name to the list of signatories, thank you, and keep up the great work.
- Arnold Thomas Fanning
A long overdue initiative.
- David Butler
I wholeheartedly support this very important initiative. Please add your support, too.
- Tadhg Coakley
This is a very important issue that needs to be addressed.
- Derek Flynn
Please add my name to the list. I’m 31 and have been writing poetry since I was 13 yrs old. The first time I stood on a stage to recite my poetry I was 20 and the only female at the gig..... It took me almost 10 years to recite poetry in a public forum again.
- Melissa Plunkett
It is time to understand this insidious behaviour is unacceptable and must be changed.
- Peter Nolan
I'd like to add my signature to the list. This initiative is an important step towards forging a literary landscape worth having.
- Colin Walsh
There is a desperate need for individuals both employed and freelance to have a voice and channel to share concerns and complaints without fear.
- Gemma Gallagher
I totally agree with the sentiments expressed in this document. Those dispensing public monies and those in receipt of them need to agree a clear, transparent code of conduct!
- Máirtín Ó Briain
Signing because I hope this is sending a clear message to anyone in the sector who is taking advantage of their 'position of power' to behave inappropriately and manipulatively that the days of behaving that way with impunity are over.
- Abby Oliveira
Well done for doing this. Long overdue.
- Ruth Patten
I believe in openness and fairness in all things. The issues raised by #wakeupirishpoetry need to be addressed. I feel it’s shameful that it has gone this long in a country which is supposed to value the arts so highly. I hope that good can come of this letter, and awareness and simple kindness can be “weaponised” to ensure fair play, honesty, and an end to abuses; physical, mental, and financial. Thank you for your hard work and bravery in creating this website and curating this open letter.
- Emmet Driver-O’Donnell
I support Kathy D'Arcy and all activists working to make the Irish poetry scene one that is free from abuse of position and power. It is time these concerns were taken with the gravity that they deserve.
- Sarah Brazil
Any measure taken against abuse, especially of an institutionally-protected nature, is not only welcome but necessary.
- Daniel Wade
...to add your comment, send us a message using the 'contact' page - make sure to give us written permission to use your comment with your name.
