INDEPENDENT THEATRE and film producer Pat Moylan has been named as the new chairwoman of the Arts Council.
Minister for Arts Martin Cullen announced her appointment and that of six other members of the agency yesterday.
The new members are: Louise Donlon, director of Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise; Paul Johnson, dancer, choreographer and chief executive of Dance Ireland; Fiona Kearney, director of the Lewis Glucksman Gallery in Cork; Sheelagh O'Neill, former marketing and tourism professional; and Caroline Senior, artistic director of Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford.
Orlaith McBride, director of the National Association for Youth Drama, has been reappointed.
Ms Moylan was artistic director of Andrews Lane Theatre for 18 years and has an impressive track record as a producer, with huge commercial successes such as Alone It Stands, Twelve Angry Men, Stones in His Pockets, I Keanoand Tom Crean - Antarctic Explorer. She runs the Lane Productions company.
Ms Moylan said the council role would be a big challenge: "I know the situation. There's wonderful talent in this country and it needs to be supported. It is a huge honour and I was very touched at being offered the position. I hope I can do it justice."
She spoke as she was about to go into a rehearsal for her production of a humorous Christmas show, The Nativity . . . what the Donkey Saw, which opens at the Mill Theatre in Dundrum tomorrow. She said she was looking forward to taking the helm at the Arts Council from January 1st.
The appointment comes after a long delay and a series of false starts, and ends months of speculation about who would be appointed. There have been seven vacancies on the 13-member council since August 11th, when several members' terms finished, including that of former chairwoman Olive Braiden.
Mr Cullen said the appointees were all "committed, experienced, talented figures from the arts community, public and business life, and will bring their own skillset and area of expertise to the council table".
The council and arts sector are facing a difficult time after the cuts announced in the Budget.
Last week the council finalised investment decisions for hundreds of arts organisations who this week find out what their 2009 funding will be.
Mr Cullen yesterday warned of challenging times ahead.
"But when there's a challenge is when people can be at their best, through being innovative and having a good look at the situation. If I had a choice I couldn't do any better [with the Arts Council appointments] in terms of quality and commitment," Mr Cullen said.
"Pat Moylan will be terrific in the chair; she has the right commercial focus as well as a great understanding of the arts."
He praised her experience and ability, and said he expected she would be "reforming and innovative".
The new members of the council join the six current members: Maurice Foley, deputy chairman; John Crumlish; Philip King; Aibhlín McCrann; Alan Stanford; and Colm Tóibín.
Arts Council director Mary Cloake welcomed Ms Moylan as the new chairwoman, saying: "My staff and I are looking forward to working closely with her in the weeks and months ahead."
Tania Banotti, chief executive of Theatre Forum, the representative body for theatre, welcomed the appointment. "Pat has years of experience in the theatre business and is a rock of good sense. This is vital as the Arts Council faces into very challenging times ahead.
"Given how pressing the whole issue of touring is, it's also great to see venues outside Dublin get recognised too," she added.