by Rose Rushe
AS well as new leadership for the programme and strategy on a temporary basis by LIT Limerick School of Art and Design head Michael Fitzpatrick, City of Culture board is to broaden board membership to include arts’ and local representatives.
The decisions were made at an emergency board meeting held on the night of Monday 5 with a view to accelerating progress on personnel appointments, strategic vision and programming.
Chairperson Pat Cox told a press conference on Tuesday 7 that the board had nominated place for three new board directors representing the arts and culture community agitating for inclusion and experienced unfettered direction.
“One from the arts and culture sector nominated on the advice of the pillar groups. There will be another director nominated from the chairpersons of the pillar groups of which there are six. There will be a third and final appointment for Mike Fitzpatrick on completion of his term as interim head.
New roles were also announced for the Mayor and Cathaoireleach with respect to City of Culture inclusion on foot of a meeting on Tuesday morning with city and county councillors.
“Mr Tim O’Connor, outgoing chair of The Gathering, is appointed as vice-chair”.
On the troubled issue of stalled funding, Pat Cox said “that the board is pleased to announce that later afternoon yesterday [Monday 6] Minister for Arts Jimmy Deenihan and Conn Murray had signed off on heads of agreement..a key step in accessing the generous funding provided”.
The beleaguered City of Culture chair also extended his appreciation for the “overwhelming offers of support in this time of crisis in recent days and along with other offers of encouragement, we look forward to taking them up”.
He made specific reference to looking to the business community’s response and “offers of sponsorship”.
He expressed praise and gratitude to LIT president Maria Hinfelaar and LSAD’s Mike Fitzpatrick for “stepping up to the mark” and their sense of “civic leadership”.
Pat Cox also thanked outgoing chief executive Patricia Ryan for her “selfless dedication to the project” and “the dignified way” that she responded, continuing to work with the project to ensure “a smooth handover”.
It emerged that Dr Hinfelaar and Dr Fitzpatrick had collaborated with the board with the initiative of the LSAD head’s secondment to City of Culture with respect to introducing new structures and process to see through the 2014 vision for Limerick’s designation.
Full story in Limerick Post of Thursday January 8.
