Toscaireacht

Aosdána (/iːsˈdɑːnə/; from aos dána "people of the arts") is an Irish association of artists. It was created in 1981 on the initiative of a group of writers with support from the Arts Council of Ireland. Membership, which is by invitation from current members, is limited to 250 individuals; before 2005 it was limited to 200. Its governing body is called the Toscaireacht.

Aosdána was originally set up on the suggestion of writer Anthony Cronin, by Taoiseach Charles Haughey, well known for his support for the Arts, although Fintan O'Toole has argued that this also served to deflect criticism of Haughey's political actions.

The process of induction relies entirely on members proposing new members. Applications by artists themselves are not allowed.

On 14 April 2010, playwright Conor McPherson, poet Vona Groarke, composers Gráinne Mulvey and Kevin Volans, and architects Yvonne Farrell and Sheila O'Donnell were among seven new members elected.

In April 2011, novelist Joseph O'Connor, playwright and novelist John Arden, architect John Tuomey and visual artists Corban Walker and Daphne Wright were elected.

Many artists feel that membership of a state-sponsored organisation might compromise them as artists. Poet and critic, Kevin Kiely has denounced the clannishness of Aosdána. In an Irish Times article in 2001, several artists who were not members were asked for comments. Poet Thomas Kinsella said that on looking over the membership he felt his standards were higher. Brendan Kennelly said: "On an unconscious or subconscious level I might feel compromised [by membership]." Painter Hughie O'Donoghue said he would decline membership if asked because "the thing I need most as an artist is independence."

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