Seeking Director

The National Sculpture Factory is looking for a dynamic leader who can manage and develop an established national visual arts organisation with a significant workshop and an exciting creative programme facility in Cork City.

The National Sculpture Factory is a national organisation, which advances the creation and understanding of contemporary art. Specifically, it provides space, facilities, training and practical support for artists to explore and develop new ways of working; expertise and processes to organisations wishing to commission public art; and a platform and programme in our community to seed debate.

It was established in Cork in 1989 as a large scale dynamic facility for artists working in a diverse range of sculptural media. The National Sculpture Factory workshop is 770 sq. meters large.

A board of Directors oversees the National Sculpture Factory, which is core-funded by the Arts Council of Ireland /An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Cork City Council and supported by additional earned income.

We are looking for an experienced and visionary Director who will lead the organisation in its next exciting phase while, supporting and facilitating artists’ ideas, strengthening supports and networks for professional artists, reflecting on contemporary visual arts practice and initiating and responding to dynamic artistic projects.

–The Director will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the business of the NSF with the support of the staff and the Board of Directors.
–The Director will develop and implement a comprehensive artistic vision for the NSF, aligning with the organisation’s mission and values.
–The Director will collaborate with the Board of Directors, staff, and external stakeholders to advance the organisation’s strategic goals.
–The Director will be responsible for securing and managing funding from relevant agencies: public and private sources, for the general activities of the National Sculpture Factory, including targeting project funding opportunities for specific projects and initiatives.
–The Director will facilitate and extend the NSF’s key role in the development and interpretation of sculpture and visual art practice in Ireland.
–The Director will foster partnerships, national and international, to maximise opportunities for artists and help promote the profile of the NSF.
–The Director will understand how to develop the NSF‘s role as a centre of visual arts activity in Ireland and in a wider international context.
–The Director will oversee the curation and production of high-quality exhibitions, showcasing the work of emerging and established artists.
–The Director will cultivate relationships with artists, providing support and guidance throughout their creative process.

The full job description and criteria can be viewed here.

Salary package for the position of Director will be in the range of 65,000–75,000 EUR. 
5 year contract pending probation period of 6 months.

Applications to be received by April 5, 2024 at 12pm, to comprise:
–A full CV
–An application statement that gives details of how your experience to date makes you eligible for this job
–Why this is the right time for you to take on this role and outline based on what you know, what attracts you to this post
–Names and contact details of 2 references

Preferred starting date: May 2024

Send to:
Elma O’Donovan, 
Administrator/Artist Liaison officer,
National Sculpture Factory, Albert Road
Cork T12 KX00
Ireland

E-mail: elma [​at​] nationalsculpturefactory.com

Please mark correspondence as Director Application
All applications are in strict confidence and will be acknowledged.