The Artistic Director of the Catskills Irish Arts Week has advised that because there will be no funding from New York State Council on the Arts, there may be a curtailment of activities during Irish Arts Week scheduled for the week of July 12-18, 2009.
Irish Arts Week draws patrons from over 35 states and countries, generating vital income for a depressed area like East Durham, NY.
Please follow the links to find a New York State representative and tell them that the Arts, Irish Arts in particular, do matter and that they contribute to the economic well-being of New York.
The purpose of the recent message at the Catskills Irish Arts Week webpage was to rally New York State residents to contact their Assembly and Senate representatives as they consider the deep cuts proposed by Governor David Patterson. The Arts in New York State, especially those who apply for funding from the New York State Council of the Arts will feel the sting in 2009 in reduced funding mandated by the proposed cuts that affect those who were due to be funded in 2009.
NYSCA is a victim in this as much as the Arts Presenters but they understand that the pain will be shared all around as the State Budget must be balanced unlike the Federal Government which can keep printing money. If they get the funding they requested instead of a $10 million dollar cut, they'll parcel it out as best they can.
I'm not sure why Rorywillie thinks Peter King, a Congressman from Long Island can have an impact even if he is looking for a state-wide promotion as U.S. Senator in 2010 and likely to promise his Irish constituents anything.
Ironically, the seat he is after is currently and only occupied today by Kirstin Gillebrand, whose 20th Congressional district included the Northeast Catskills where the CIAW is located.
The Artistic Director's statement didn't say the CIAW was actually in jeopardy, only that possible funding cuts could lead to some curtailment of the ambitious and multi-faceted programming, something that the present economy and its challenges reminds us of every day as job losses mount everywhere.
You gotta be kidding me! I was all excited because I just moved to the Albany area and this was going to be right around the corner from me. Rotten luck....
Don't be disappointed---the week is still going to be held....I believe the website will be updated soon with the list of teachers. Even if some of the programming gets curtailed, there are still so many great seisuns, concerts and ceilis to keep you exhausted for days afterward. Definitely a week not to be missed!
see you there!
Rose Flanagan
Oh, it will be as much fun as ever! Never fear! You'll have WAY too much to do! It is still on, you should go, you won't be sorry Jasten! It's something you really must treat yourself too, especially since you are so close. I don't know where you got the idea it is not happening, it will be a week packed full to the brim with great music.
What do you play? There will absolutely be great workshops with great teachers, even some imported from Ireland just for this week. They are all tops in their instruments, professionals, the teachers, and you will have a ball. Also, the session-hopping from one to another all night in the various pubs, and all the concerts nightly, and all day too on Saturday for the Andy McGann Festival.
Hope to see you there, if you go once you will look forward to going back every year, so many of us do. There is nothing else like it over here. You might even make new friends in the area, which is nice if you just moved.
Now, no more fears or negativity, OK? Everyone who has not been to this (and those who have!) you'll have a great time if you come to CIAW 2009.
i hope that they will make straightforward posts on the site as to what is and is not being offered well in advance so that people can make informed decisions before registering and paying. surprises are not, not, not good.
i would also advise folks to wait to register or pay until it is clear what events are or are not being offered (you can click on last year's sked for comparison), and specifically which tutors will be there. this is a super, wonderful festival, but it is very expensive if you do not live in the area, when you factor in plane fare, a week's lodging, a week's food, a week's car rental, and the tuition fee----the tuition fee is a nice, fair price. but when you total the rest---and you DO need a car---it is an investment, and it needs to be absolutely clear which events (if any) are being cut, and which tutors are teaching. contrary to posts above, unless you aren't paying plane fair and car rental, you do not want to register for this until all is spelled out and you can make an informed decision.
I hope that, since everyone here has time to make comments about this, they are also writing to the governor and everyone else. This is serious. Please do what you can.
The Catskill Irish Arts Week is NOT in jeopardy. It will go on as good as ever. Anyone who has attended in the past knows that this is the best week in Irish traditional music on Earth.
All the essential elements of the week, classes,dances and sessions, will go on as usual but any discretionary extra programming such as special guests or the length of the Saturday Festival could be curtailed slightly.
The issue that is causing this discussion is a cut back by the state of New York on it funding of the arts. If you could influence someone in NY Government to increase its contribution, that would be great.
I will be going for my sixth time and cannot wait to have my classes with Jackie Daly.
Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
The Artistic Director of the Catskills Irish Arts Week has advised that because there will be no funding from New York State Council on the Arts, there may be a curtailment of activities during Irish Arts Week scheduled for the week of July 12-18, 2009.
Irish Arts Week draws patrons from over 35 states and countries, generating vital income for a depressed area like East Durham, NY.
Please follow the links to find a New York State representative and tell them that the Arts, Irish Arts in particular, do matter and that they contribute to the economic well-being of New York.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/
http://www.senate.state.ny.us/senatehomepage.nsf/senators?OpenForm
http://peteking.house.gov/
http://www.nysca.org/index.html,
# Posted on January 27th 2009 by Threewood
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
sad. Pretty area.
another victim of the subprime mess.
Will write to these folks for what it is worth.
# Posted on January 27th 2009 by zippydw
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
Maybe the guy from Merrill Lynch can donate one of those $50,000 lamps he bought with bailout money before he quit. [grrr]
# Posted on January 27th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
I'd rather he had an appointment with a hangman
# Posted on January 27th 2009 by Seosamh Ui Sinan
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
I just got my 401K statement. The hangman is really too nice a prospect.....
# Posted on January 27th 2009 by zippydw
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
The purpose of the recent message at the Catskills Irish Arts Week webpage was to rally New York State residents to contact their Assembly and Senate representatives as they consider the deep cuts proposed by Governor David Patterson. The Arts in New York State, especially those who apply for funding from the New York State Council of the Arts will feel the sting in 2009 in reduced funding mandated by the proposed cuts that affect those who were due to be funded in 2009.
NYSCA is a victim in this as much as the Arts Presenters but they understand that the pain will be shared all around as the State Budget must be balanced unlike the Federal Government which can keep printing money. If they get the funding they requested instead of a $10 million dollar cut, they'll parcel it out as best they can.
I'm not sure why Rorywillie thinks Peter King, a Congressman from Long Island can have an impact even if he is looking for a state-wide promotion as U.S. Senator in 2010 and likely to promise his Irish constituents anything.
Ironically, the seat he is after is currently and only occupied today by Kirstin Gillebrand, whose 20th Congressional district included the Northeast Catskills where the CIAW is located.
The Artistic Director's statement didn't say the CIAW was actually in jeopardy, only that possible funding cuts could lead to some curtailment of the ambitious and multi-faceted programming, something that the present economy and its challenges reminds us of every day as job losses mount everywhere.
# Posted on January 27th 2009 by clareman
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
You gotta be kidding me! I was all excited because I just moved to the Albany area and this was going to be right around the corner from me. Rotten luck....
# Posted on January 27th 2009 by jasten
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
Hey Jasten
Don't be disappointed---the week is still going to be held....I believe the website will be updated soon with the list of teachers. Even if some of the programming gets curtailed, there are still so many great seisuns, concerts and ceilis to keep you exhausted for days afterward. Definitely a week not to be missed!
see you there!
Rose Flanagan
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by fiddlefamily
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
Why is it in Jeopardy this year?
Couldn't they hold it in East Durham as usual?
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by RockyRoader
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
Oh, it will be as much fun as ever! Never fear! You'll have WAY too much to do! It is still on, you should go, you won't be sorry Jasten! It's something you really must treat yourself too, especially since you are so close. I don't know where you got the idea it is not happening, it will be a week packed full to the brim with great music.
What do you play? There will absolutely be great workshops with great teachers, even some imported from Ireland just for this week. They are all tops in their instruments, professionals, the teachers, and you will have a ball. Also, the session-hopping from one to another all night in the various pubs, and all the concerts nightly, and all day too on Saturday for the Andy McGann Festival.
Hope to see you there, if you go once you will look forward to going back every year, so many of us do. There is nothing else like it over here. You might even make new friends in the area, which is nice if you just moved.
Now, no more fears or negativity, OK? Everyone who has not been to this (and those who have!) you'll have a great time if you come to CIAW 2009.
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by irisnevins
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
i hope that they will make straightforward posts on the site as to what is and is not being offered well in advance so that people can make informed decisions before registering and paying. surprises are not, not, not good.
# Posted on January 29th 2009 by ceemonster
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
i would also advise folks to wait to register or pay until it is clear what events are or are not being offered (you can click on last year's sked for comparison), and specifically which tutors will be there. this is a super, wonderful festival, but it is very expensive if you do not live in the area, when you factor in plane fare, a week's lodging, a week's food, a week's car rental, and the tuition fee----the tuition fee is a nice, fair price. but when you total the rest---and you DO need a car---it is an investment, and it needs to be absolutely clear which events (if any) are being cut, and which tutors are teaching. contrary to posts above, unless you aren't paying plane fair and car rental, you do not want to register for this until all is spelled out and you can make an informed decision.
# Posted on January 29th 2009 by ceemonster
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
I hope that, since everyone here has time to make comments about this, they are also writing to the governor and everyone else. This is serious. Please do what you can.
# Posted on February 1st 2009 by johnnevin
Re: Catskills Irish Arts Week in jeopardy
The Catskill Irish Arts Week is NOT in jeopardy. It will go on as good as ever. Anyone who has attended in the past knows that this is the best week in Irish traditional music on Earth.
All the essential elements of the week, classes,dances and sessions, will go on as usual but any discretionary extra programming such as special guests or the length of the Saturday Festival could be curtailed slightly.
The issue that is causing this discussion is a cut back by the state of New York on it funding of the arts. If you could influence someone in NY Government to increase its contribution, that would be great.
I will be going for my sixth time and cannot wait to have my classes with Jackie Daly.
hughor
# Posted on February 2nd 2009 by hughor