Non-executive director with accounting experience

Term: 3 years, 2026–2029

The Organisation 

Disrupt Disability Arts Festival is a disability-led and disability-focused arts organisation, championing the creativity, voices and perspectives of disabled artists through an annual festival and year-round programme. 

The festival, which has just celebrated its third iteration in March 2026, brings together theatre, dance, visual arts and more, all delivered through relaxed engagement formats in Dublin and online that ensure accessibility for audiences across Ireland and beyond. 

Disrupt is unique in Ireland, creating a festival that not only presents new work but also has a progressive impact on the visibility and sustainability of disabled artists’ and arts workers’ livelihoods. 

Website: www.disruptfestival.ie
See this brief video for more about our work: Disrupt Festival 2026.

Legal Structure 

Disrupt Disability Arts Festival Company Limited by Guarantee. 

Registration Number 776770, Registered 28/11/2024. 

Company Memo & Articles. 

Current Directors: 

• AlanJames Burns, Executive Director. 
• Emer Lynch, Non-Executive Director. 
• Currently onboarding a third director with Human Resources expertise. 

Insurance with Arachas, underwritten by Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc. Directors and Officers (Trustees and Management) cover with a limit of indemnity of one million euro. 

The Company’s work has been principally supported by The Arts Council, Rethink Ireland and Dublin City Council. 

Annual accounts are filed with the CRO and are available as part of onboarding material for new directors.  

Governance Objectives 

We are currently recruiting Board members with specific expertise in Law, Accounting and Arts Sector experience to compliment our existing directors who are disabled artists with extensive experience in the arts sector and with innovative projects. 

Disrupt’s ultimate goal is to have a Board that is majority-led by disabled people. In doing this we want to proactively build people’s capacity and knowledge about governance and to have responsive access supports in place that enable all Board members to participate fully. 

While the structure is a Company Limited by Guarantee, non profit, we are informed by and draw on many of the resources available under the Charities Governance Code in order to build our governance capacity. 

It is envisaged that AlanJames Burns, Disrupt’s current Artistic Director, will step down from the Board once new members are recruited, to allow them to focus solely on artistic direction. 

In 2027 we will deliver a ‘light touch’ festival, and focus on consolidating what we have learned over the last five years of building the festival and company. 

We have secured funding for 2027 to support the Board to develop a five-year strategic direction. Thus, new Directors have influence on the shape and future direction of the company. 

The Role

We are seeking a new Board member, with the following profile: 

Accounting Expertise - specifically in non-profit company accounting, with lived experience of disability and/ or a clear understanding of disability rights.

Note: this is unpaid volunteer roles. 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal, accounting and arts sector insight to the Board, ensuring that Disrupt’s decision-making aligns with legal obligations.
• Support the Board in upholding high standards of governance, including compliance with the Companies Act 2014 and with Equal Status legislation.
• Assist in reviewing policies and procedures to ensure they are legally sound, in line with regulatory standards, and aligned to the rights set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. 

Essential Experience
Relevant qualifications and at least five years’ experience in legal practice.

Qualities Required

• Lived experience of disability is a distinct advantage.
• Commitment to the principles of UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
• An interest in the contribution that the arts can make to changing societal attitudes.
• Strategic thinking, integrity and sound judgment.
• Time to prepare for and attend meetings.
• Ability to commit to the role for a three-year term.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively at Board level. 

Board Meetings
There are four Board meetings a year, one per quarter. One meeting a year is held in-person in Dublin City Centre. The remaining three are held online at a time slot convenient to all members. 

Contact/ Apply

Please send applications, in confidence, by email with a brief statement of interest, before 30th September 2026, to:

• Emer Lynch, Non-Executive Director, development@disruptfestival.ie
• Please CC Noeleen Hartigan noeleen.hartigan@gmail.com (Arts and Human Rights consultant who is supporting Disrupt’s Governance and Strategic development).

Contact development@disruptfestival.ie if you need any accommodations or support to apply.

Disrupt Disability Arts Festival CLG is also seeking 2 new Board members, with: 

• Legal experience 
• Artistic and sector leadership experience