The board of directors of Firkin Crane CLG is delighted to announce the appointment of Laurie Uprichard as Executive Artistic Director. She will take up this new position in September.
Laurie is a distinguished dance leader, curator and artistic director working professionally for over four decades. With a keen curatorial eye, combined with strong managerial skills, her involvement in all aspects of dance spans working in a number of public cultural institutions, including Danspace Project (NYC), Dublin Dance Festival and Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans as well as producing and presenting a range of established dance and performing arts companies and independent artists in Ireland, Europe and the USA.
Yvonne Coughlan, Chairperson of Firkin Crane says:
“We are delighted to be making this announcement today. Laurie is a highly distinguished and experienced leader in the dance world, and we are fully confident that she will make a superb Executive Artistic Director. Under her stewardship, all at Firkin Crane look forward to a creative and dynamic future for the organisation. Firkin Crane has long been known as the home for dance in Cork and we believe that Laurie will strengthen the organisation’s place in the dance sector locally, nationally and internationally.’’
Laurie Uprichard says:
“I am thrilled to be taking up this very exciting opportunity of working with the board, communities and staff of Firkin Crane to build a strong, creative and inspiring future for dance in Cork and throughout Ireland. At a time when the arts will play such an important role in our evolving and re-opening society, Firkin Crane can be a significant resource and venue organisation that can nurture dance in Cork with a global focus, centring on the needs of artists, to increase their visibility and nurture a growing professional practice. I am very much looking forward to my time as Executive Artistic Director of Firkin Crane.”
This appointment represents a fundamental change in Firkin Crane’s management and operational structure, and comes at a pivotal moment as we embark on a restructuring, rebranding and programme review process.
Opportunity to meet Laurie Uprichard, Executive Artistic Director
Friday 06 August, 2pm, online
We are delighted to introduce Laurie in person, online before she takes up the reins in September. Laurie will join us as part of our monthly forum for a short informal ‘meet & greet’ session. This is an opportunity to say hello and extend a warm welcome.