DCU’s Head of the School of Communications named the new chairman of the Arts Council of Ireland

Professor Kevin Rafter, Head of School of Communications in Dublin City University has been appointed as the Chair of the Arts Council of Ireland.Mr Rafter’s nomination follows the selection process operated by the Public Appointments Service for the identification of appointees to the Boards of State Agencies.

Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan announced Prof Rafter’s five-year term, which will see him work alongside the council’s director, Orlaith McBride, after a Public Appointments Service selection process. Professor Rafter succeeds Sheila Pratschke who completed a 5-year term as Chair of the Council earlier this year and the Minister thanked Ms. Pratschke for her dedicated service during this period. 

Professor Kevin Rafter is chair of the Expert Advisory Committee of Culture Ireland, which has responsibility for promoting Irish arts worldwide. Since 2008 he has held two senior academic leadership roles with significant connections to the cultural sector.

Rafter is currently a member of board of the Galway International Arts Festival and previously served on the boards of Oxfam Ireland and Dublin Bus. He is experienced in the role of Chair, including as Chairperson of the Expert Advisory Committee of Culture Ireland and Chairperson of the Compliance Committee of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. He has qualifications in company law and corporate governance from the Law Society of Ireland and the Institute of Directors.

Prior to 2008, he held senior editorial positions in a number of Irish media organisations including the Irish Times, the Sunday Times and the Sunday Tribune. With RTÉ News and Current Affairs, he worked as a presenter, editor and correspondent primarily on the flagship radio programme, This Week. He also produced a number of radio documentaries on visual artists for RTÉ and Newstalk.

“I am honoured to be asked to become Chairperson of the Arts Council. I have a personal interest in the arts and enjoy theatre, film, opera, visual arts and dance. I have loved serving as Chairperson of Culture Ireland and playing my part in helping Irish artists bring their work to international audiences.

I am delighted to have this new opportunity to work with the arts community in Ireland. I look forward to working with the board and staff of the Arts Council, the Minister and also the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht to support artists to present their work, and to increase access to the arts so that the public continues to be challenged and engaged by these creative people.” - Kevin Rafter