The Future of Cross-Border Cooperation in the Arts: Research and Policy Findings from Ireland and Northern Ireland

ABSTRACT:This article discusses the current context and activity—and potential future(s)—of cross-border cooperation in the subsidised arts sectors in Ireland and Northern Ireland. By investigating the interconnections between the arts sectors and their social, economic and political context, the article highlights issues that directly and indirectly influence the capacity and willingness of artists, funders and policymakers to engage in cooperation. These issues include the absence of a policy framework; North–South ambivalence; variances around cultural value and evaluation; the need for structures, mechanisms and platforms for exchange; a lack of robust and relevant data; and questions around both the mobility and visibility of artists and audiences. While a lack of focus on civic development remains questionable, in a context of significant resource constraints and disparities, closer cooperation could deliver much-needed economies of scale, value for money, and opportunities for knowledge transfer and skills sharing.