Did Project Arts Centre or ICCL ever respond to this point made by the Charities regulator. I've no problem with the mural or the idea that art is political or shouldn't be subject to regulation but if you are going to cite legislation, then you can't really complain.
Statement regarding Project Arts Centre Charities Regulator 23 April 2018
In its response to the Charities Regulator, the Project Arts Centre stated that it was facilitating the display of art and not engaging in political activity. However, the Charities Regulator noted that on the charity’s website, the charity stated that it was relying on an exemption relating to political advertisements under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, which enabled it to publicise the political advertisement without the requirement for planning permission (see note to the editor). By doing so, the Project Arts Centre had itself classified the mural as a political advertisement, as opposed to the Charities Regulator making that determination.
You can’t paint over an issue, but you can paint over an artwork! Maser mural update. Project Arts Centre April 20th 2018
We draw a distinct line between supporting artists who make work that is highly political and engaging in political activism.
Repeal the 8th: Maser's Mural Reinstalled at Project Arts Centre Project Arts Centre April 10th 2018
Since it was founded in 1966, Project Arts Centre has always placed the vision and freedom of expression of the artist at the centre of our work. We believe that all art is, in some way or other, indelibly political because it relates to the workings of the society from which it emerges. This artwork by Maser was first programmed at Project Arts Centre in July 2016 and was removed due to planning legislation. According to The Planning & Development Regulations 2001, Schedule 2, Part 2, Exempted Developments, Class 14, the mural is not subject to planning permission in the context of the upcoming Referendum.
Planning and Development Regulations
CLASS 14
Advertisements relating to an election to the office of President of Ireland, an election of members of Dáil Éireann, the Parliament of the European Communities, a local authority or Údarás na Gaeltachta, or a referendum within the meaning of the Referendum Act, 1994 .
No such advertisement shall be exhibited, and no advertisement structure erected for the purpose of exhibiting such advertisement shall be left in place, for more than 7 days after the date of the election or referendum to which the advertisement relates.
Freedom of artistic expression and the referendum on the 8th amendment 2018/05 Irish Council for Civil Liberties
A view is clearly forming among State bodies and the arts sector in response that, during the referendum period, artistic expression that was previously recognised as art and deemed worthy of funding or charitable status is now “too political” to be allowed. The change in attitude based on the referendum can be seen from the fact that, in 2016, the Charities Regulator took no issue with the response it received from the Project Arts Centre when it asked the charity for information as to how it had reached the view that Maser’s mural featuring the words “Repeal the 8th” related directly to its charitable purpose of advancing public education in the arts.
But The Project Arts Centre they took it down then too.
Maser Artwork Subject to Planning Permission to Be Taken Down Project Arts Centre July 25th 2016
