Limerick City and County Council has announced that Úna McCarthy has been appointed as Director/Curator of Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA).
A native of Charleville, Co Cork, Úna McCarthy has worked as Head of Festivals with The Arts Council since 2004. She is due to take up her position as LCGA Director in Limerick on Monday, 16th February.
Úna has worked in arts management since the early 80’s in Ireland and the UK. Prior to joining The Arts Council, she held positions as Director of the Model Arts and Niland Gallery, Sligo; Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol and the Old Museum Arts Centre in Belfast.
Speaking about her appointment, she said she was excited about her new role in Limerick.
“This is an auspicious time for the arts, and specifically the Visual Arts, in Limerick after the success of City of Culture, the forthcoming Irish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale with such strong Limerick connections and the exciting programme of exhibitions already in place for 2015,” she said.
“I especially value the fact that LCGA is a municipal gallery, and as such, is owned by the people. I feel truly honoured to have this opportunity to develop and present an ambitious programme of work over the next few years. I will aim to ensure that people from Limerick and beyond have an opportunity to enjoy and engage with the gallery in an exciting way.”
Úna McCarthy went on to say that she would seek to work closely with her colleagues across Limerick.
“I want to ensure that the vibrancy of the Gallery which, this year, celebrates 30 years as a dedicated space for the visual arts, continues to be a place of interest and enquiry for artists and audiences,” she added.
Welcoming her appointment, Pat Dowling, Deputy Chief Executive, Limerick City and County Council said Úna will be ‘a terrific addition to the cultural team’ in Limerick.
“Úna has a vast knowledge of venues, cultural policy and festivals throughout Ireland which will be of immense value to us especially as we celebrate 30 years of the Gallery this year and prepare our bid to become European Capital of Culture 2020,” he said. “LCGA has built an impressive presence on the national stage over 30 years seeks to develop its role as a primary visitor attraction in the context of a creative city. I look forward to Úna building on this and working with current and contemporary artists on exciting projects over the years ahead.”
Úna McCarthy holds a B.A. in European Studies from the University of Limerick.
