Prof. Kevin Rafter has confirmed that he will step down as Chair of the Arts Council after chairing his final meeting of the Council on 14 December.

He will spend the first-half of 2024 as a Fulbright Professor at Boston College in the United States while on research leave from his full-time position at Dublin City University.

Prof. Rafter said:

"It has been a huge privilege to have served as Chair of the Arts Council during what has been a time of tremendous development and advancement but also unprecedented crisis for the arts sector in Ireland. I leave the position with considerable pride in seeing the achievements of artists, arts workers and arts organisations all over the country. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during my term as Chair."

Since his appointment as Chair in June 2019, the Arts Council’s annual budget increased by 79% from €75m to €134m. Much of his term as Chair was devoted to working with Council colleagues and staff to help steer the arts sector through the Covid-19 crisis.

Among the initiatives since 2019, the Council agreed and finalised plans to establish a new all-island dance company, and commenced work on a major artist workspace development in partnership with Dublin Port as well as publishing new policies on architecture, dance, music, digital arts and the Paying the Artist document, which has established new criteria for ensuring artists are paid fairly for their work.

Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council, said: 

"Kevin’s leadership has guided the Arts Council through the crisis of Covid and into a period of growth and significant accomplishment. During his term, ground-breaking initiatives have been introduced that support the development of artists’ practice and audiences’ experience. The arts landscape now enjoys a historic level of support and his insightful advocacy for the sector has been a signature part of his work. His commitment to inclusivity, innovation and accessibility has set a standard for excellence that we will continue to develop. On behalf of all the staff, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Kevin for his exceptional leadership and support during particularly challenging and changing times."

Prof. Rafter informed the Department of Arts of his plans on 18 October last. The position of Chair, and other Council member vacancies, will be advertised shortly via the stateboards.ie portal.

←Return to the news