Following open competition, Damien Coyle has been appointed as Vice-Chair and Professor Paul Seawright, Joseph Rice, David Irvine, Brian Sore and Janine Walker have been appointed as Board Members of the Arts Council.
Welcoming the new members Edwin Poots said: “I am very pleased to make these appointments and I am looking forward to working with all the members of Council in the changing and challenging times ahead. I recognise the valuable contribution the arts make to the social, economic and cultural life of Northern Ireland and the vital role the Arts Council plays in supporting this.”
Mr Poots also expressed his sincere thanks to the outgoing members for their contribution and commitment to the work of the Arts Council during their terms of appointment.
Notes to Editors:
- The following members of the Council have been reappointed to serve a second term:
Mrs Rosemary Kelly (Chair)
Mrs Eithne Benson
Mrs Katherine Bond
Mrs Lucia Finnegan
Mr Anthony Kennedy
Mr William H C Montgomery
Ms Sharon O’Connor
Mr Peter Spratt
Mr Raymond Fullerton - The outgoing members are: Martin Bradley, Jill McEneaney, Tim Kerr, Gearóid Ó hEara, Will Chamberlain and Brendan Milligan.
- The Arts Council is the statutory body through which public funding for the arts in Northern Ireland, is channelled. The Council was established as a statutory body by the Arts Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 on 1 September 1995. It is funded via grant-in-aid by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and it is managed by a Board currently consisting of 15 members. The terms of office of outgoing members expired on 30 November 2007. Members are appointed by the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure.
- The post of Vice-Chair will receive an honorarium of £3,500 per annum plus expenses. The members’ positions are unpaid, with members receiving expenses only.
- The appointments process was carried out in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice. A selection panel, which included an independent assessor, as required under the Commissioner’s Code, considered the suitability of all candidates. The final decision on the appointments rested with the Minister.
- All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if declared) to be published.
- Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office. Tel (028) 9025 8901 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk . Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Biographical Details
Damien Coyle – New Vice Chair
Damien is Director of Operations in Speechmatters (part of the Stroke Association). Damien has been an arts practitioner for the past 25 years and has experience of working for many arts organisations including Acting Director of the Old Museum Arts Centre and Chairperson of KABOSH Theatre Company. Damien has declared no significant political activity.
Professor Paul Seawright – New Board Member
Paul is Professor of Photography at the University of Ulster and was formerly Dean of Arts and Media at the University of Wales, Newport, where he was awarded a personal chair in 2001. A practising photographer he has exhibited extensively and represented Wales at the 2003 Venice Biennale of Art. Paul has declared no significant political interest.
Joseph Rice – New Board Member
Joseph is a senior partner in a firm of solicitors which has been in operation since 1986. He was appointed six years ago as a Deputy Resident Magistrate in Northern Ireland. He has previously been Chairman of Red Lead Arts in East Belfast, a member of St Agnes’ Choral Society and a member of the Circle Drama Group. Joseph has declared no significant political activity.
David Irvine – New Board Member
David is the Regional Head of Risk Consulting for Marsh Ltd, a leading risk and insurance services firm. He has also been a National Judge for Arts and Business National Awards in London. David is currently the Chair of ‘Moving on Music’, an organisation which supports music education and promoting local and emerging bands. David has declared no significant political interest.
Brian Sore – New Board Member
Brian is the Regional Director of the Royal Town Planning Institute. As the former Deputy Chief Executive of Greenpark Health Trust, he is a keen supporter of art in the health care environment and has worked with artists and the voluntary group ‘ArtsCare’ to support art in patient services and hospitals. Brian has declared no significant political interest.
Janine Walker– New Board Member
Janine was until April 2007 the Arts Manager with Arts and Business for three years responsible for the New Partners Programme. She is a member of Down Arts Forum– a voluntary group that promotes access to the arts in the Down District area. Janine has declared no significant political interest.
