For those of us within the arts sector, the arts already matter. But for those outside the sector - politicians, funders and the public to whom those politicians and funders must answer - the arts are by no means top of the list when it comes to priorities. This is increasingly a challenge we must address
head-on in light of a sharp cut in funding for the arts at local and national level this year and further deep cuts being mooted in 2010. 

How do we change this state of play and most importantly what do we need to do as sector? What are the strategies and approaches most likely to make the arts register in useful and positive ways, in public consciousness and amongst elected representatives? How do we make the arts something with which they are eager to engage? And what exactly is it that we are lobbying for? Do existing models of communication and advocacy work? Three panellists will share their views and their expertise. 

Biographies of panellists

 Mary Cloake joined the Arts Council in 1993 as Regional Development Officer. She was appointed Development Director in 1997 and Director of the Arts Council in 2004. Prior to joining the Arts Council, Mary was the Arts Officer in Dundalk Urban District Council. 

In February 2005, she was appointed by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to the board of Culture Ireland – the national agency to promote Irish arts overseas. 

 Mark Mortell is a seasoned marketing and business communications practitioner and has been with Fleishman Hillard since 2002. Previously Commercial Director of Aer Lingus and a former Chairman of Bord Fáilte – the Irish Tourist Board, Mark was Managing Director of Dimension Advertising and Marketing and has held senior marketing positions with Bank of Ireland Group, Mars, Guinness Ireland and Ballygowan Spring Water Company. 

Providing advice in corporate communications and public affairs along with specialist support in brand strategy, litigation support, internal communications and change/crisis management are core to the work of FH Consulting. Mark provides media training to clients and has considerable experience in consulting to the education sector. 

Mark is a regular presenter of Newstalk 106-108FM’s Down to Business Programme. He is a graduate of Dublin City University and a Member of the Marketing Institute of Ireland and the Public Relations Institute of Ireland. He was previously on the board of Rough Magic Theatre Company. 

 Charlie O’Neill is a director of Public Communications Centre where he is Senior Creative Director of Media and Strategy. He has developed communications strategies, advocacy campaigns, radio and TV advertising, and branding/ copywriting for a host of Ireland’s leading charities, NGOs, community and voluntary groups. Charlie has also been a lead consultant on a number of major reports on arts and culture infrastructure. 

 Charlie has written several plays including Rosie and Starwars (Stewart Parker Playwrights Award), Hupnouse and Hurl for Barabbas (Galway Arts Festival and Dublin Theatre Festival), The St Valentine’s Day Massacre for the Rialto Youth Project and most recently Dodgems, a physical theatre/dance piece which was a co-production by CoisCéim Dance Theatre and Dublin Theatre Festival. He was also commissioned to write the script Night of the Dark Angel for a large-scale Halloween outdoor night spectacle which was produced locally in Rialto, Dublin in partnership with Macnas. He has written extensively on children and creativity. 

Charlie has lectured at Limerick School of Art and Design, and guest lectured at NCAD, IADT’s MA course in Public Culture Studies, Applied Social Studies in NUI Maynooth and has also served on the boards of many arts and culture organisations and community initiatives. In a previous life he designed theatre posters for a host of independent companies and arts events.