New Report Highlights Skills Development Opportunities in Ireland’s Cultural and Creative Sector

A significant report, Skills Challenges in the Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Cultural Events Sectors, has highlighted the need to upskill people working in Ireland’s visual arts, performing arts, and cultural events sectors. Commissioned by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet, and produced by Counterculture Partnership LLP, the report provides clarity around the current and future skills landscape, and talent development challenges and opportunities, within the areas of visual arts, performing arts and cultural events. 

Gareth Lee, Network Manager, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet, said, “This report reinforces what we hear every day from artists, producers, businesses, and cultural organisations in this sector, which is that the appetite for learning and growth is strong. We strongly encourage all decision makers in the cultural and creative space, to consider how they can act on the information in this report to begin implementing strong supports for better data, certified continuing professional development (CPD), more strategic lifelong learning, as well as more advanced skills to meet the needs of the digital and climate transitions”.  

The report also points to significant strengths in that Ireland’s cultural workforce is internationally respected, and recent years have seen renewed policy attention. Sector-wide initiatives from the Basic Income for the Arts to new Mentorship Schemes, and other strategic collaborations, offer promising foundations upon which to build.

Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet plays a pivotal role in this the skills landscape in this sector. Since its formation in 2023, the Network has delivered over 250 training programmes to over 2,000 participants from across the cultural and creative sectors.

Through strategic partnerships with organisations such as the Arts Council, Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, Creative Ireland, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet has delivered impactful programmes including training masterclasses, mentoring schemes, sustainability toolkits, and resources tailored to SMEs, sole traders, and creative sector professionals. These initiatives are designed to respond directly to the sector’s most pressing needs, supporting not only artistic excellence but also leadership, resilience, and long-term career development.

The full Skills Challenges in the Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Cultural Events Sectors report is available to download, here.