On the world stage

Culture Ireland’s new CEO Christine Sisk relishes the opportunity to promote Irish artists abroad, says Richard Fitzpatrick

CHRISTINE SISK began work in June as CEO of Culture Ireland, which promotes Irish arts abroad. She’s been kept busy. Along with its five major showcases — including 30 productions dispatched to Edinburgh’s arts festivals this month — Culture Ireland is planning for Ireland’s six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, starting in January 2013.

There are two elements to the culture programme for the presidency. The Arts Council will manage issues in Ireland, such as the arrival of high-level delegates, and the engagement of Irish citizens with Europe. But Culture Ireland’s brief is international. “Brussels will be a main focus,” says Ms Sisk. “We need to have an installation in the main council building, which has thousands of people working in it, and going through it every day for meetings, and we’ll work also with the Crafts Council in furnishing key areas of that building, and in showcasing Irish crafts. We will have an opening concert, and a major exhibition of contemporary art with IMMA and the Hugh Lane. And we will have Irish music, theatre and film promoted in significant venues in Brussels.