Board Members - West Cork Music

West Cork Music is a regional beacon of world-class musical, literary, and artistic experiences.

Its festivals – the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, the West Cork Literary Festival, and Masters of Tradition (a celebration of excellence in traditional music) – and events have played a vital role in establishing the reputation of the Cork region as a creative powerhouse.

The organisation promotes learning through educational programmes from grassroots to elite levels, and it encourages participation in the arts through outreach programmes, immersive workshops, and experiences aimed at growing the audiences of the future as well as nurturing artists’ skills.

In bringing together visitors, artists, and locals who share music, literature, creativity, and community against the backdrop of Bantry Bay, West Cork Music contributes to interaction between different arts, and the cultural and economic vibrancy of Bantry and West Cork, as well as Ireland’s national arts scene.

As West Cork Music approaches its 30th Chamber Music Festival, the organisation (a registered charity) is seeking to secure the future of the festivals, broaden their reach, and move forward with its plans to establish a world-class, accessible arts venue and education hub in the heart of Bantry town.

An engaged and skilled Board has been essential to the growth and development of the organisation to date, and the additional independent support and guidance new Board members can provide will be an invaluable support for the organisation’s work and its plans for the future.

WCM requires a Board that can help us champion access to arts and creative educational opportunities in a rural setting, as well as maximise our contribution to our local economy and quality of life. 

Skills and Expertise Required

Following a skills audit of our current Board, and considering the strategic and audience development we anticipate over the next decade, we are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Festival/events/tourism experience, particularly in relation to arts and culture.
• Fundraising, particularly regarding capital projects.
• Community-based arts and cultural practice.
• Strategic and/or digital communications.
• Capital project development and management.
• HR & finance.

If your own experience is not reflected in this list but you have complementary skills or a fresh perspective, we still encourage you to apply.

Board Values

WCM is committed to maintaining a Board that broadly reflects the diversity of Ireland. We therefore seek to identify candidates’ suitability in relation to a range of protected characteristics, including age, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background.  To that end, candidates are invited to support their letter of application with a brief statement outlining their life experience.

Role Description

Being a WCM Board member involves:

• Attending quarterly online Board meetings and an Annual General Meeting (in person).
• Supporting the Director and staff team regarding strategic issues facing the organisation throughout the year and arising through capital project development.
• Attending a selection of West Cork Music events when possible.
• From time to time advising the CEO on strategy on a one-to-one basis,
• Taking an active role in ensuring the sustainability and growth of the organisation by supporting fundraising efforts.
• Participating from time to time in WCM sub-committees (e.g. fundraising)
• Offering insights on topics which may included arts, festivals, music education, tourism, strategic & capital development, accessibility and inclusion.
• Championing the organisation and its programmes across your national and international networks.

Application Process

Applicants should email a CV to info@westcorkmusic.ie

Deadline for application: Friday 25 April, 17.00 GMT

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet representatives of the West Cork Music Board to discuss the work of the charity and their background. 

Further Information

Further information is available in WCM’s Board Recruitment Document and capital project overview (File Download: http://bit.ly/41TqKai). We strongly advise candidates to read these documents, and explore our website (West Cork Music | https://westcorkmusic.ie).

If you have any questions about the role, please write to Francis Humphries, c/o info@westcorkmusic.ie