An arts conference focused on the challenges and issues faced by artists who are members of the Traveller community has been held in Dublin.
The one-day event was called 'Suni Arárk a thadyr', meaning looking ahead with pride.
It was organised by the team at Pavee Point along with support from the Arts Council.
The programme included a range of panel discussions, break-out groups and interviews.
The main talking points of the event included the need for more access to funding and securing a dedicated arts venue for the community.
There were calls at the conference to help young people to "own the word artist", for local authorities to counteract discrimination and fill gaps around the lack of recognition for Traveller culture and heritage.
At the event, Co-Director of Pavee Point Martin Collins raised the issue of discrimination and racism.
He said that the purpose of the conference was "trying to look at these issues, those challenges around access but more importantly to try to come up with solutions, so overall it’s a very positive day".
Mr Collins also discussed the barriers to accessing the arts industry.
"We have to acknowledge that the artistic area is not the sole preserve of the settled community, and it’s not the sole preserve of the elite and the privileged … and while we have made some progress in creating access, we’re certainly not at the place where we would like to be," he said.
"We know racism exists in society, in different institutions and structures, so why would we think for one second that racism is not an issue within the arts sector… either conscious or unconscious so we need to encourage anti-racism training, and cultural competency training to ensure that travellers have full uninhibited access to the performing arts," Mr Collins added.
Also speaking at the event, Director of the Arts Council Maureen Kennelly said: "Today is a clear signal to us, we want to create better conditions to support and develop Traveller artists.
"We know the percentage of Traveller artists who apply for funding is currently at 0.3% we want to grow that to 0.6%," Ms Kennelly said.
"We want to fling those gates open," she added.
Writer and board member of The Arts Council, Rosaleen McDonagh, said she found the day emotional and that "finally, finally we are having a Traveller renaissance around creativity and art".
Ms McDonagh said she is excited to be "part of the next ten years of building an arts infrastructure".
She added she looks forward to seeing "what will be produced, how will it be critiqued".
Ms McDonagh said it is important for "people like me to lower the ramp and pull other travellers behind us, and creatively allow them to make mistakes too".
Actor Michael Collins, who first came to national attention when he was cast in Glenroe in 1995, spoke about his range of experiences working with "settled people in plays and on screen".
He recalled one conversation with a leading film director who said that while he was interested in casting him, he had questions and asked him "would you be reliable?", "would you turn up on time for work?" and "would you be drinking?".
Mr Collins said that he was confused at first and that afterwards when he discussed it with a friend, he told him it was "because I’m a Traveller".
He also said that he had positive experiences. but highlighted the importance of raising awareness of the supports needed for travellers as they negotiated the industry.
'Under representation of travellers within the arts community'
Singer Trish Reilly encouraged participants to be unafraid to embrace Traveller culture and modern hobbies and habits.
Ms Reilly explained that a person can respect the past heritage of the Traveller community, but added: "Don’t be asking 12-year-old children to draw a covered wagon or a caravan, let them draw PlayStation controls if they want, this is their world too".
Writer and performer Martin Beanz Warde said that he was aware that there was "an under representation of travellers within the arts community" and that he participated in the event to share his career experiences.
He said that there are barriers to accessing basic actions such as applying for funding.
Mr Warde explained that he would encourage the arts community to take "a more proactive approach, rather than reactive".
He added that "rather than waiting for the odd Traveller to come through the doors, they should reach out and offer support, and tell them, you are welcome to apply for funding, and this is how you do it".
Mr Warde went on to explain that in his view, "travellers lack social capital in the area around applying for funds, and even knowing how to get the forms".
He also explained that he is not just "an advocate for travellers in the arts. I love stories".
"I love people and I know that there are people living on the islands, in the Gaeltacht, farmers, elderly people across the country who are never given the opportunity to envision their stories on stages, so I think broadly, this discussion should happen within all segments of society and it would help enrich us all culturally," Mr Warde said.
