People
Damien McGlynn, Director
Damien is responsible for core programming and strategic and organisational development and partnerships, nationally and internationally. He has worked in the cultural sector across Ireland, the UK and Europe for 15 years, including as Ireland Director of Creative Lives and as part of the ARTIST ROOMS team at Tate and National Galleries of Scotland, delivering youth engagement projects across the UK as part of a touring collection of work. Damien was born in Dublin and studied Fine Art (Sculpture) at NCAD.
director[at]create-ireland.ie
Arthur Duignan, Assistant Director
Arthur is Create’s finance director, managing contracted services, as well as operating as Company secretary. He has been responsible for key initiatives including four editions of the Irish Fundraising Handbook, accredited training programmes, and other consultancy and research work. Arthur holds a Degree in Commerce and is a Graduate of the Marketing Institute of Ireland. He has lectured in Arts Sector Analysis (IADT, Dún Laoghaire) and Consumer Behaviour (Dublin Business School).
finance[at]create-ireland.ie
Áine Crowley, Programme Manager, Arts and Engagement
Áine advances Create’s work to support artists and communities of interest and/or place to realise high-quality collaborative arts practice, through ongoing professional development support, project opportunities and the development of cross-sectoral alliances and partnerships. Áine coordinates the Artist in the Community Scheme, providing project and proposal advice and support, information and guidance to applicants. Áine holds a BA Fine Art Printmaking from Limerick School of Art and Design.
support[at]create-ireland.ie
Keelin Murray, Communications and Publishing Manager
Keelin is responsible for developing and overseeing Create’s communications strategy across digital and traditional media, as well as managing publishing activity within the organisation. Keelin works closely with other staff to ensure optimum visibility for the organisation, its activities and programmes, reflecting the organisation’s strategic goals. Keelin holds a BA in Music and Linguistics from UCD, an MSc and PhD in Linguistics from the University of Edinburgh.
communications[at]create-ireland.ie
Carolann Courtney, Coordinator, Creative Places Tuam and Creative Places Network Services
Carolann is responsible for programme delivery for the Creative Places Tuam Pilot and coordination of the national Creative Places network. Carolann’s work in Tuam engages directly with communities, artists and stakeholders to successfully realise the programme’s aims and objectives. Prior to this role, Carolann worked as the arts, health and wellbeing specialist for Kildare County Council, progressing the council’s specialist work to create high quality arts practice in health care settings. Carolann holds a BA Fine Art from DIT and a Post Graduate HDip in Community Arts Education from NCAD.
creativeplacestuam[at]create-ireland.ie
Jennifer Fitzgibbon, Research and Learning Manager
Jennifer is responsible for the development of Create’s Reading Room and Living Archive of Collaborative Arts, as well as the design of professional development workshops and research and learning strategies in order to further facilitate cross-sectoral learning about collaborative and socially engaged art. She holds a PhD and an MPhil in History of Art from Trinity College, Dublin, and a postgraduate diploma in Library and Information Management from Ulster University.
research[at]create-ireland.ie
Vance Wing-Sze Lau, Producer, Programme and Digital Media
Vance provides project and event management support for Create projects, professional development workshops and cultural events. She has also been responsible for developing and managing digital platforms, communications and audience engagement strategies for the Collaborative Arts Partnership Programme (CAPP). Vance holds a BSocSc Honours in Criminal Justice from the University of Hong Kong and an MA in Cultural Policy and Arts Management from University College Dublin.
producer[at]create-ireland.ie
Jane O’Rourke, Office Manager
Jane is responsible for administrative and operational support for Create projects and events. She works closely with Jenny on the day to day running of the office, and across the team supporting opportunities for artists. She holds a HND in Design from Blackrock Institute of Further Education and a BSc in Education and Training from Dublin City University, where she is currently studying for an MA in Creative Writing.
info[at]create-ireland.ie
Neil Ryan, Vetting Service Officer
Neil is responsible for the development and operation of the Vetting Service, including liaising with the National Garda Vetting Bureau, stakeholders and service users. Prior to beginning his role in Create, he worked as an art handler in Australia and as production and technical coordinator in both Ireland and Australia, working with artists such as Charles Blackman, Manon De Boer and Stephanie Syjuco. He spent a number of years managing venues for conferencing and events in New Zealand. Neil holds a BA in Fine Art from DIT.
vetting[at]create-ireland.ie
Jenny Corcoran, Operations Officer
Jenny provides administrative support to Create, working closely with Jane and the rest of the team to support all programme, events and operations. Jenny has over 10 years’ experience in office management and people operations roles, and has worked in the cultural sector in Ireland for over 5 years. She holds a BA in History of Art and Architecture with Classical Civilisation from Trinity College, Dublin.
jennycorcoran[at]create-ireland.ie
In addition to our core team, Create works with independent researchers, artists and curators.
Currently working with Create is:
Grace Wilentz, project coordinator, AIC Scheme Development Support
Grace is currently working with Create, dsupporting the administration and development of the Artist in the Community Scheme. Grace’s work, in conjunction with Aine Crowley, programme manager Arts and Engagement, will encourage and sustain a growing and diverse network of practitioners and communities.
Grace is a poet and writer who works with a range of civil society organisations and social movements. Grace earned her BA in English from Harvard University, an Mst in Human Rights Law from Oxford University, and an MFA in poetry from University College Dublin. She has previously worked with Create on the AIC Scheme Artist Mentor Panel.
Graphic Design Panel:
In 2023, Create is please to have established a panel of Graphic Designers, with which we will work over the coming years. These include Fintan Wall, Dave Darcy, Clare Lynch, Allyson Larkin, and Niall McCormack.
Assisting Create with the operation and development of the Creative Places Tuam programme are:
Joanna McGlynn, a socially engaged artist and arts educator based in Tuam, who has 15 years of experience developing and producing creative programmes in community, cultural and educational contexts.
Megan deBúrca, an experienced digital marketer, is supporting the social media and communications of Creative Places Tuam.
Fiona Hession, an arts manager/ producer and former general manager of Galway Community Circus. Fiona lives in Tuam, and has vast experience in arts management and production with organisations including Tulca Festival of Visual Art, Galway Arts Centre, and Cúirt International Festival of Literature.
Siobhán Morrissey is a PhD Graduate of University of Galway’s School of English and Creative Arts, with experience in arts administration and collaborative and cross-sectoral learning. She has worked with Children’s Books Ireland and is a committee member of the Irish Society for the Study of Children’s Literature.
The Creative Places Tuam Creative Team also includes videographer James Ryan and artist Jennifer Cunningham, both residents of the Tuam area.