For the latest edition of the Irish Journal of Arts Management and Cultural Policy, Niamh Brown spoke to Ashling McGrory for the journal’s Perspectives on Practice section. Niamh reflected on our history as an artist-led organisation in Limerick City, and the process of securing long-term tenancy at 9-10 Patrick Street. The discussion explored the importance of our relationships with programme participants, local creative communities, and wider audiences, as well as the highs and lows of securing our 30-year lease. You can read Perspectives on Practice – an interview with Niamh Brown here.

Niamh Brown is a curator and producer based in Limerick city. She holds a B.A. in Fine Art from Limerick School of Art & Design. In 2012, she joined the Ormston House team, and currently works there as a curator. Current projects include the Creative Europe project Artist-Run Network Europe (2020-2023), where she is leading on research into the social value of artist-run initiatives. Outside of visual art, Niamh sits on the Board of Directors for Women’s Collective Ireland and on the advisory committee for their Limerick branch.

Ashling McGrory recently completed her MA by Research at Limerick School of Art & Design (TUS). Her research, Straight Outta Art School, is an active piece of work that explores students’ and graduates’ experiences of transitioning from their fine art degree into the working world. Since completing her M.A., Ashling has begun a career at Dartmouth Partners in London, where she specialises in social mobility within professional services. She is exploring her passion for supporting career development across sectors and diversity, and continues to be an advocate for the Irish arts scene with a focus on emerging artists and fine art students.

The Irish Journal of Arts Management and Cultural Policy is a peer-reviewed, open access e-journal publishing original research on the arts and cultural sector in Ireland. The journal publishes original research on the arts and cultural sector in Ireland; cultural policy; arts and cultural management; creative producing and curating; cultural tourism and the creative industries; cultural economics; heritage and museum studies; governance; marketing, audience development and participation; philanthropy/fundraising; cultural finance; administration; production/consumption; and arts and education.

Image: Ormston House featuring Blue Dyke by Breda Lynch (2020-2021). Photo by Jed Niezgoda.