Based at 70 Merrion Square in Dublin 2, the Arts Council is the Irish government agency for developing the arts. It provides financial assistance to artists, arts organisations, local authorities and others for artistic purposes. It offers advice and information on the arts to government and to a wide range of individuals and organisations. As an advocate for the arts and artists, it undertakes projects and research, often in new and emerging areas of arts practice, and increasingly in co-operation with partner organisations. The Arts Council's budget from the exchequer in 2005 is 61.5 million euros. The Chair of the Arts Council is Olive Braiden and the Director is Mary Cloake.