Position: Board member
Role type: Voluntary (unpaid)
Time commitment: The board meets 6-7 times annually
Closing date for applications: 28 February 2025, 5pm.
About the Irish Writers Centre
As the leading support and development organisation for writers in Ireland since 1991, the Irish Writers Centre delivers a year-round programme of creative writing courses, a national mentoring programme, a vibrant calendar of literary events and competitions, as well as administering a range of bursaries and residencies. We are proudly supported by our patron, President Michael D Higgins, and a host of ambassadors including John Banville, Anne Enright, Marian Keyes, Mick McCormack, Eilis Ni Dhuibhne, Ciara Ni E and Joseph O’Connor.
We are midway through our 2022-2026 strategy and under the stewardship of a new CEO (Aug ’24), we have embarked on an ambitious growth plan to maximise the thriving creative writing sector at home. In 2025 we’ll be offering over 150+ courses and masterclasses, embarking on a regional Roadshow which will see us participate in 6 literary festivals around the country as well as launching a new Writers in the Regions series of seminars. We’ll also maximise our growing international audience with our online course offering as well as seeking new cultural partnerships with public and private sectors.
With Ireland’s soaring reputation on the global literary stage, we’re poised to help build on that by nurturing new talent and writers. Our Novel Fair competition for debut fiction writers, now in its 13th year, attracted its highest number of entrants in 2024.
This is an exciting time to become part of the Irish Writers Centre. As we enter a new era, building on our 33 years as a support organisation for all writers, we’ll also be privileged to be part of a new future cultural quarter being developed in Parnell Square by Dublin City Council.
Who are we seeking?
We are seeking new members to join our Board of Directors and build on our current skill-set of board expertise which already includes arts and culture, media, business, enterprise, legal and technology. To complement these talents, we are particularly interested in candidates with business development or business transformation experience, people skilled in creating cultural partnerships with private and public sectors, as well as those with a desire to blend their professional experience with their love of arts and culture. We are also actively looking for writers and creative practitioners and welcome applications from candidates who come from backgrounds and communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the literature sector.
Board Director Responsibilities
Directors of the board are both company directors and charity trustees and should understand the legal duties of the role, as explained by the Charities Regulator and the Arts Council’s Practical Guide for Board Members of Arts Organisations. Directors are responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and for ensuring the highest standards of governance are upheld, in accordance with the Charities Governance Code as well as overseeing and maintaining the financial health of the organisation.
Time commitment
Board members are elected for a maximum of two three-year terms. The Irish Writers Centre is a registered charity and this is a voluntary and unpaid position. The board meets 6-7 times annually, including the annual general meeting. The meetings happen on Wednesday evenings between 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Irish Writers Centre. Board members are also asked to attend Irish Writers Centre events where possible.
Further information on our current board, governance and other policies can be found here.
*Writers will need to consider their involvement carefully as Board members cannot be employed by the IWC in any capacity for the duration of their term.
How to Apply
1. A brief statement/cover letter outlining how your background and experience meets the requirements of the organisation as detailed above, as well as a summary of your relevant experience, and how you can contribute to the Irish Writers Centre’s mission.
2. Attach your CV or biography (a statement outlining your arts practice or roles, responsibilities and achievements). If relevant, please include details of any service as a board Director, Trustee or any other voluntary/community work. Please compile all the specified documents into a single attachment as a WORD Doc or a PDF. Applications should be submitted by email to management@irishwriterscentre.ie
Board appointments will be skills and experience based, and should the open call process not yield candidates with the required skills and experience, the company reserves the right to make direct appointments of appropriately qualified individuals.
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