The Arts Council yesterday announced the appointment of Orlaith McBride as its new Director, a position which she will officially begin in September. A native of Donegal, Orlaith McBride has served as a member of the Arts Council for over seven years.
She held the post of Arts Officer in the National Youth Council of Ireland for four years, co-coordinating the National Youth Arts Programme where she developed ‘Arts in their Lives’, a policy on young people and the arts in Ireland. In 2003, she was appointed Director of the National Association for Youth Drama (NAYD) – the development organisation for youth drama and theatre in Ireland.
She is a board member of the National Youth Council of Ireland and sits on the Strategic Policy Committee in Dublin City Council for culture and youth and in 2006 she was appointed to the Committee on Arts and Education by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. Pat Moylan, Chairman of the Arts Council commented on her appointment saying "We are delighted that Orlaith McBride is joining us as Director. Orlaith has already demonstrated her wide-ranging expertise and successful experience in the arts. In her executive roles with local authorities and as Director of the National Association for Youth Drama (NAYD), she has proven her ability in delivering high quality arts experiences and building organisations. As a former member of the Arts Council, she has a tremendous strategic insight into the challenges the organisation faces.
"I am sure the Arts Council will benefit enormously from Orlaith's knowledge and insight and her work with younger people. At this time of economic challenge and creative opportunity, she will play a pivotal role in both the leadership and management of the Arts Council and will facilitate the delivery of the organisation's strategic objectives to enhance Irish cultural and artistic life."
The Irish Arts Council is Ireland’s government agency for developing the arts. It provides various funding mechanisms for filmmakers including the Frameworks short film scheme (with the IFB and RTÉ) and the Film Project Award as well as supporting festivals and film councils.
