Aosdana

Aosdána ([ ˈiːsˌd̪ɑːnə ] or [ ˈeːsˌd̪ɑːnə ], from Irish aos dána = "people of the arts") is an association of Irish artists who have achieved prestige in their field, and the only representative society of its kind in Ireland . It works ideally self-regulated, but is run by the state and is financed by the state.

The organization

Aosdána was founded in 1981 by the state Arts Council of Ireland (Irish An Chomhairle Ealaíon ) at the suggestion of a group of writers, including in particular Anthony Cronin , who was also a government advisor at the time (“to honor those artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the arts in Ireland ”). Membership only arises from the nomination by a member of Aosdána and requires the consent of another member as well as confirmation at the annual general meeting according to the statute by at least 50% of the voters plus one vote. The number of members of Aosdána is limited to 250 people; before 2005 the limit was 200 people. Members can become artists, writers, musicians, architects and choreographers who were born in Ireland or who have lived in Ireland for at least five years and who have created an independent work.

Members can be recognized as Saoi ([ s ^ɰ iː ], Irish for “wise”, “master”) for outstanding performance . This happens after nomination by 15 members through the approval of the general assembly with 50% plus one vote; the title is then awarded by the Irish President and is valid for life. The total number of Saoiths at any one time is limited to seven, and no more than one Saoi can be elected at a time.

Under certain conditions, members may receive a grant called Cnuas (“Nuts”) from the Arts Council of Ireland to allow the recipient to work full-time with their work. Members who are not currently in Ireland are also eligible if their major work was done in Ireland. The scholarship is awarded for a period of five years and can be extended. The amount of the scholarship in 2008 was almost 15,000 euros per year.

The executive board is called Toscaireacht ([ ˈtɔskəɾʲəxt ], Irish for "delegation"); it consists of ten members, called Toscairí ("delegates"). Aosdána is based in Dublin at the Arts Council.

Current and former members (selection)

John Banville Leland Bardwell Gerald Barry Sebastian Barry Samuel Beckett - Saoi Dermot Bolger Eva Bourke Louis le Brocquy - Saoi Vincent Browne Marina Carr Ciaran Carson Frank Corcoran Anthony Cronin - Saoi Seamus Deane Donnacha Dennehy Yvonne Farrell Brian Friel - Saoi Patrick Galvin Yann Goulet Robert Greacen Hugo Hamilton Dermot Healy Seamus Heaney - Saoi Aidan Higgins Jennifer Johnston Neil Jordan John B. Keane Claire Keegan Benedict Kiely - Saoi

Thomas Kilroy Michael Longley Bryan Michael MacMahon Deirdre Madden Derek Mahon Mike McCormack John McGahern - Saoi Frank McGuinness Stephen McKenna Shelley McNamara John Montague Brian Moore Mary Morrissy Val Mulkerns Christopher Nolan Cathal Ó Searcaigh Edna O'Brien Joseph O'Connor Liam O'Flaherty Billy Roche Gabriel Rosenstock Patrick Scott - Saoi Sean Scully Louis Stewart Matthew Sweeney Colm Tóibín William Trevor - Saoi James Wilson

See also

• Académie française
• Royal Academy of Arts
• Academy of Arts (Berlin)

Web links

• Aosdána website

Individual evidence

1. ^ Aosdána - Administration
2. ↑ Stephen Prince, "Haughey's patronage of the arts sits perfectly with the image he craved: that of a Medici prince," The Sunday Times (London), June 18, 2006, p. 14th
3. ↑ Aosdána - Self-Presentation
4. ↑ Aosdána - Electoral Procedures ( Memento of the original from May 1, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
5. ↑ Aosdána - Saoi
6. ↑ Aosdána - Cnuas
7. ↑ Aosdána - Toscaireacht
8. ^ Aosdána - Members