Michael McDowell
Question:169 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the names, occupations, qualifications and relevant experience of the members of the Arts Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Arts Council Members.
The following is the information requested by the Deputy.
Arts Council: Members
Ciarán Benson (Chairperson)
Professor of Psychology at University College Dublin. Author of the Benson report "The Place of the Arts in Irish Education" and of the ACE report "Art and the Ordinary". Former Chairperson of the Irish Film Institute and of the City Arts Centre.
Pat Murray
Member of the Society of Designers of Ireland. Studied in the Crawford School of Art and received the Gibson Bequest Scholarship to study at Bayreuth Master Classes. Worked for the Wexford Opera Festival, the Abbey Theatre and the Department of Foreign Affairs Cultural Committee, was a member of the Northern Ireland Arts Council and a Director and Designer with the Irish National Ballet Company. Was an artistic adviser to the Cork Opera House.
Vivienne Roche
Chairperson and co-founder of the National Sculpture Factory. Member of the Cultural Relations Committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Artists Association of Ireland and the Sculpture Society of Ireland and also an active member of the Cork Arts Development Committee. Has exhibited in Scandinavia.
Vic Merriman
Senior lecturer in drama at King Alfred's College in Winchester, England. Honours Graduate of St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, in Education and English. Associate of R.I.A.M., P.G.C.E. Drama — Birmingham Polytechnic. Former principal teacher of schools in Wicklow and Wexford. Former member of the Board of Wexford Arts Centre. Associated with the early plays of Billy Roche and awarded a Bursary for Post Graduate study by the Arts Council in 1987.
Aiden O'Carroll
A founder of Kerry School of Music. Former Board member of C.N.C., the National Association of Choirs. First recipient of the Fleischmann Award for his contribution to the development of the Arts. Currently involved as a composer, conductor, accompanist, and with choreography and stage direction.
Mary Elizabeth Burke-Kennedy
Founder and Director of Storytellers Theatre Company. A playwright whose body of work has been presented in both mainstream theatrics and in schools. Currently writing a second children's drama series for RTE. Tutor in the Gaiety School of Acting and has devised a programme for the MA Drama Course in UCD.
Ollie Jennings
Founder member of Galway Arts Festival and of the Macnas Theatre Company. Over the past 15 years he has worked extensively with groups such as the Druid Theatre, Field Day Theatre, Cinegael, An Taibhdhearc and the Irish Film Board.
Jane Dillon Byrne
Member of the Board of Dún Laoghaire College of Art and Design and of the Board of the Olympia Theatre. Studied sculpture in the College of Art and Design and has exhibited her works in wood and ceramics. Initiated the annual poetry week in Dún Laoghaire and was organiser of the Symposium in Dún Laoghaire in 1987 which resulted in 11 pieces of sculpture being placed on a sculpture trail in the Borough of Dún Laoghaire.
Eavan Boland
Has published six collections of poetry, the last of which —Outside History— was a Poetry Book Society choice in Britain and was short-listed for the GPA Award last December. Has been writer-in-residence in Trinity and UCD. Reviews for the Irish Times. Has done workshops for women writers. A new collection of poetry —In a Time of Violence— is due to be published in April 1994.
Ciarán MacGonigal
Director of the RHA Gallagher Gallery; member of the Board of the National Gallery of Ireland; Member of the Stamp Design Committee of An Post; and former Chairman of the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art.
Laura Magahy
Managing Director, Temple Bar Properties; Board Member, Graffiti Theatre Company; Member of Government Working Group on Film Industry; former Chief Executive, Irish Film Centre.
Eithne Healy
Member of the Board of Cothú, the Business Council for the Arts; RHA Gallagher Gallery; Dublin Theatre Festival; TEAM Educational Theatre Company. Founder member of National Youth Theatre.
Proinsias Mac Aonghusa
President of Conradh na Gaeilge. Member of the Arts Council 1982-84 and 1989-93. Former Chairman of Bord na Gaeilge. Former UN Representative in South Central Africa. Author and Broadcaster.
John Wilson
Dáil Deputy from 1973 to 1992. Minister for Education: 1977-81, Minister for Transport and Minister for Posts and Telegraphs: March-December 1982, Minister for Tourism and Transport: March 1987-July 1989, Minister for the Marine: July 1989-February 1992, Minister for Defence and Minister for the Gaeltacht: February 1992-January 1993, Tánaiste: November 1990-January 1993.
Terry Prone
Managing Director of Carr Communications. Former member of Abbey Theatre Company. Founder member of Turoe Press. Playwright, novelist, author and broadcaster.
Paul McGuinness
Manager U2. Director of the Irish Film Centre. Board member of City Arts Centre and the National Concert Hall.
Kathleen Watkins
Musician and Broadcaster, Member of the Board of the Guinness Peat Aviation Dublin Piano Competition.