Mary McCarthy: Director
Mary McCarthy was
previously Executive Arts and Culture manager for Dublin Docklands
Development Authority (September 2005 to March 2009).
While in that role she was responsible for the integration of the arts
across the Docklands organisation and for the roll out, implementation and
development of their initial arts and culture strategy. An exciting annual
programme of creative events were devised and implemented in partnership
with many cultural and business stakeholders.
Previous to that she was Director of Programmes and deputy Director for Cork
2005, the company established to manage Cork's designation as European
Capital of Culture.
Mary is currently a board member of Business to Arts and the Corona Cork
Film Festival. She also sits on an expert panel to assess future Capitals
of Culture as a nominee of the Council of Europe.
She was
also a board member of the inaugural Board of Culture Ireland (2005 to 2008)
Irelands agency for promoting Irish art and artists abroad.
Having worked in the National Sculpture Factory for the past number of years, Elma has an extensive background in arts administration and has a Diploma in Computer and Secretarial Studies. She has coordinated a number of Percent for Art Schemes for both the private and public sectors.
David Dobz O’Brien is an artist and an independent curator, based in Cork. He received his Bachelors Degree from Glasgow School of Art in 2000 and his Masters Degree from National College of Art & Design in 2007.
His most recent artwork was Radio ON in Sept. 07: a fully licensed Radio station broadcasting for 5 days throughout Cork City and County. Devised, directed, produced and curated with Patricia Baker and involving up to 60 participants from a broad range of disciplines.
In 1999 he founded the interventionist art group Art/ not art, who have been involved in exhibitions and art events across Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Holland and Germany. Art / not art’s most significant project to date was as co-curators of the Cork Caucus project with Charles Esche and Annie Fletcher in 2005.
Donal's background is in metal fabrication, having learned his trade working for the Dutch shipbuilders, Verolme. He has worked throughout Ireland on various engineering projects and since joining the N.S.F., has been responsible for the technical aspects of 'Daylighting the City', Andrew Stones 'Accumulator' as well as working on 'World Events' by Tony Cragg. Donal has also worked on the installation of a Tony Cragg commission in Coburg Germany.
Patricia Crowther has worked with the NSF since 1997. She is a former company director and financial advisor and has worked in property development in Kensington, London.
John majored in sculpture at Palomar College, in California. Since then John has worked in various trades, carpentry, engineering, electrics, giving him the wide range of technical knowledge he has today. He has worked with artists here and abroad, on many different projects.
Gráinne has been FÁS Supervisor since 1997 and has come from a business and enterprise background. She liaises with various arts organisations in Cork City such as the Everyman Palace Theatre Co, Cork Film Centre, and the Munster Literature Centre in her role of Supervisor.
Beth Lourdin is a new member to the team and working in the arts is a new experience for her. Beth has completed training in ECDL and Manual and Computerised Payroll/Accounts. Her past positions were in the retail sector.
Anna Barden has worked in the arts for six years, largely typesetting and designing books. She is represented as a painter by the Greenlane Gallery, Dingle and Paris.