Irish Theatre Institute (ITI) has launched the Speak Up: A Call for Change Report at an online meeting this morning.

Launched by Minister Catherine Martin T.D., the Report and key findings/recommendations were presented by research lead Dr. Ciara L. Murphy and Project Consultant Olwen Dawe with Siobhán Bourke and Jane Daly, Co-Directors of Irish Theatre Institute and Co-Leads of the Speak Up Initiative.

The ITI commissioned Report is an acknowledgement of a reality that has been hiding in plain sight, that there is a culture of harmful workplace behaviour throughout the Irish arts sector, and a lack of supports to tackle this issue. The Report has been researched by Dr. Ciara L. Murphy, Dr. Brenda Donohue, and Conall Ó Duibhir, with support from Dr. Peter Campbell and Olwen Dawe. 

An open online meeting was held today for the arts sector to present the findings. A recording of the meeting will be available on ITI’s YouTube Channel shortly. 

The Report is available to download below. ITI is asking the arts sector to share it widely using the hashtag #SpeakUp.

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Response to Report from Irish Theatre Institute
“The report presents a series of findings as an important starting point on the necessary journey to overhauling workplace conduct across Ireland’s arts sector. The lived experiences reported in the survey are unacceptable and demonstrate an urgent need for action. It is our hope that this report will contribute to meaningful change across all sectors of the arts.”
Siobhán Bourke and Jane Daly, Irish Theatre Institute

Response to Report from Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Responding to the Report, Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Minister Catherine Martin said:

 “There are layers of disturbing elements that emerge from the survey. The majority of the instances reported took place in the workplace and perpetrators are reported to hold positions of authority with often no consequences for those who harm others in the arts sector. I am distressed to learn the full extent of these damaging behaviours in the arts sector. I want to assure all of the respondents to the survey that their voices are heard. I will work with and fund the Irish Theatre Institute and other agencies to implement the changes needed to provide safe working conditions for artists and arts workers.”

#SpeakUp

Speak Up: A Call for Change

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