Changes at Create

After 7 years of leadership Ailbhe Murphy has indicated her intention to depart from her position as Director of Create in the Autumn of this year.

Since 2015, Ailbhe’s diligent and meticulous work has positioned Create as a renewed, forward-looking resource organisation and a leading advocate for collaborative arts nationally and internationally. Her work included helming the EU-funded Collaborative Arts Partnership Programme (CAPP), a four-year, nine-partner Creative Europe project, as well as securing Create as the manager of the Arts Council’s three-year pilot Creative Places project in Tuam and as provider of the Network Services for the national Creative Places programme (2021-2024). Ailbhe led the development of our current strategy Connect Create Change, Leading Collaborative Arts in Ireland 2020-2025, which provides the bedrock for Create’s work. Community is central to Create, and Ailbhe has led a highly skilled team imbued with a truly collaborative work ethos. Partnership is our cornerstone, evinced by the increase in meaningful partnerships during Ailbhe’s tenure as Director.

Ailbhe will be leaving Create in September 2022, affording the organisation the opportunity for a well-planned recruitment process and a smooth handover to a new Director. Details of the recruitment process will be announced in the coming weeks.

Speaking about Ailbhe’s departure the Chair of the board, Clodagh Kenny, said

“As Director, Ailbhe has combined her ambition for Create with compassionate leadership and strong business management. We wish to thank her for her steady and inspirational stewardship. She has continually highlighted the importance of the intersectionality of the practice and in our partnerships, leading Create to be a more inclusive, informed and outward looking organisation. She has truly practiced the art of collaboration in all her partnerships, both externally and in her dealings with the board and team – Create is a dynamic and healthy organisation thanks to her.

We are midway in our current Strategy Connect Create Change (2020 – 2025) providing the incoming Director both with a strong foundation as well as scope to evolve the work of the organisation in the coming years. Ailbhe’s effectiveness as a leader and advocate for both Create and collaborative arts practice, ensures a fantastic opportunity for the next Director of the organisation to continue and expand upon this work.