Our Arts Team is growing

This summer we had the great pleasure of welcoming two new members to the Arts Team: Jamie Bishop and Luke O’Neil. The opportunity to grow our team was granted by Future Screens NI and Arts Council NI which are funding these posts for 3 years.

Luke has taken up the role of assistant Digital Content Officer here at The Duncairn. He is to ensure that our digital content is second to none, this includes the production of online web series aiding in the promotion of artists across the country. Luke is also responsible for producing live events, including live sound engineering, lighting design and the documentation of such events.

I have always loved the work that is done here at The Duncairn and the community-based ethos of the arts centre, and have been pushing forward to get involved even before my role started and I’m proud to be an official member of the Arts Team. This job gives me an opportunity to improve my skill set, work with other creatives and be involved in amazing projects that enrich the quality of life of the people of north Belfast. The perk of working here is to be able to help up&coming artists and assist in bringing the highest standard of arts and culture to the people of the local community, as well as to work with young people of the area to expose and develop their creative abilities.

Luke O’Neil

Jamie is our new Assistant Programmer for Music and Arts. The role is diverse and involves artist liaison work, Jamie is the first point of contact for artists at our events, producing and designing new events. He also assists with the development of the Creative Collective and of our new Traditonal Irish Music Collective.

I have been coming to The Duncairn as an audience member and as a performer for a few years and developed an admiration for the people and projects carried out here. I was drawn to the community-focused approach to creative work and the use of artistic projects as a means of community development. I believe The Duncairn has an influential role to play in the development of the music scene on the island and that quality of the work carried out here is an example for other venues and arts centres to aspire to.

This job is very important to me. Finding fulfilling work as a musician or an artist is a miracle. It is the first job I have had where I feel like all my skills and interests are being utilised and developed in an ethical setting that contributes to the life of a community that needs its support. It's an honour to work here.

I am enjoying the work and learning a lot. There are many individuals here who are working in the arts sector, research, music production, live production and community work. I recognise that I have been afforded a unique opportunity to explore several fields of interest, while learning from the best practitioners working on the island today.

Jamie Bishop