Filter This collection: Artists' Campaign (ACREA) Archive

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  • Title: Artists' Campaign (ACREA) Archive
  • Reference Code: IE/NIVAL ACREA
  • Level of Description: Collection
  • Creation Dates: 2015-2018
  • Extent And Medium: Digital Archive: approx. 2800 digital images, videos, audio files and documents. Arranged to item level in 4 Series, with 113 sub-series files.
    Physical Archive: approx 100 items. 4 Archive boxes containing preparatory drawings, designs and research, campaign administration ephemera, publications and press ephemera, event and exhibition ephemera. Outsize march banners and posters.
  • Creators:
  • Repository: NIVAL

Scope and Content

The Artists' Campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment was set up in 2015 by artists Cecily Brennan, Alice Maher, Eithne Jordan, and the poet Paula Meehan. It began as an online campaign appealing to fellow artists, writers, musicians, and actors to put their names to a statement calling for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland (Article 40.3.3). The aim of the campaign group was to promote national and international awareness of the restrictive reproductive laws of Ireland and to encourage and inspire other groups and activists to use cultural means to promote social change.

The group went on to have a large presence at various demonstration marches including March for Choice (2016 & 2017), Strike for Repeal (2017), and International Women's Day (2018). Exhibitions and events included Day of Testimonies (2017) held at Project Arts Centre, Art and Action (2017) held at NCAD Gallery, EVA International Biennial (2018) held in Limerick, various Shred It events (2017-2018), 20 Seconds for Yes (2018) and Witness (2018).

The Artists' Campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment played a leading role in the decisive referendum with "an unprecedented intervention in the public life of the State on the part of artists". This unique archive is documentary evidence of "a decisive moment in the interface between artists and public policy".

The digital archive is fully accessible through the Digital Repository of Ireland (DRI) https://repository.dri.ie/catalog/gx421568w
Physical archive materials held at NIVAL may be consulted in the Reading Room by appointment only. Request an appointment by email nivalinfo@staff.ncad.ie

Arrangement

Arranged to item level.