Arts Council appoints new director

The Arts Council has appointed Orlaith McBride as its new director.

Currently director of the National Association for Youth Drama, Ms McBride will take up her new role in September, replacing Mary Cloake

From Ardara, Co Donegal, Ms McBride was an Arts Council board member from 2003 until earlier this year, and has established her reputation through youth and community arts.

She was Arts Officer in the National Youth Council of Ireland, and is now the president of the organisation. Ms McBride is also member of the Governing Authority of Dublin City University, representing cultural interest, and is also a member of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee.

She is a previous a member of the Dublin City Council Strategic Policy Committee (Arts and Youth) and of the Arts Council Special Committee on the Arts and Education.

Ms McBride's previous experience with the Arts Council was described as an advantage by chairwoman Pat Moylan.

"As a former member of the Arts Council, she has a tremendous strategic insight into the challenges the organisation faces," she said in a statement. "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."

Among those challenges will be the continued cuts in arts funding. Its budget was reduced by 5 per cent to €65.2 million in the 2010 Budget, and while its recent allocation of that money was less controversial than anticipated, several established arts groups had funding cut significantly or removed altogether.

Some artists have also accused the Arts Council of not lobbying more proactively on behalf of Irish arts.