Londonderry to get a 'cultural broker'

Among other initiatives, it will establish a new arts gallery in the City that can hold its head up on the international stage - with a project linking it to a world famous gallery.

According to Gerard McCleave, director of strategy and regeneration with Ilex, a 'significant, attractive package' of remuneration over a five-year fixed term contract will be offered to the successful candidate, and a wide-ranging search has been launched throughout the UK. With the post also being promoted on Ilex's website, it could also catch international attention.

According to the criteria the right person will be required to pick up instantly on the creativity, sense of fun and the special energy that ripples through Londonderry, and emphasis has been placed on the fact that the City has been short-listed for the title of UK City of Culture 2013.

Speaking to the Sentinel on Monday, Mr McCleave said: "In terms of this new post, as the advertising said, a ground-breaking regeneration programme is taking place in the City and this is taking the City to a different place.

"We are set to exploit our undeveloped potential in terms of arts and culture, which has the potential to make a significant contribution to the economic, physical and social transformation of the City."

Asked what the role of a cultural broker was and how it differed from that of an arts officer, Mr McCleave said: "The role of a cultural broker is about, first and foremost, being responsible for the arts and cultural development of the regeneration plan. It is not the same as an arts officer as the first part of this person's job will be to develop the arts and cultural cluster at Ebrington, and in particular the aspiration for an arts gallery of national and regional significance in the Clock Tower building.

"That will require someone who has a track record in cultural regeneration, because, to develop a facility like that one of the things we are looking at is a joint project with the Tate or Victoria and Albert, or some other facility of International standing, and that would also include the National Museum for Northern Ireland (formerly the Ulster Museum)."

Mr McCleave said that was going to require someone with an established, extensive network and contacts at a very high level in arts and culture - and essentially they were looking for someone with a background in cultural regeneration and a track record in levering in resources and being able to build relationships with international players.

"The reason we cast wide for this post is that we want the best person to bring their expertise to the City. This post is for a five-year fixed-term contract,” he said.

He said the criteria for the right person they were “looking for a leader with the skill, judgement, ambition and ‘can do’ attitude to champion, develop and deliver our cultural regeneration programme, to lever resources and to build relationships and partnerships on a local, regional and international level”.

“They must have experience of commissioning and delivering a cultural programme of ambition, creativity and excellence, including significant capital development and must have experience of delivering a decisive and sustainable step change in terms of physical provision, cultural best practice, reputation and sense of place,” says Ilex.

Interested parties are being asked to log on to www.ilex-urc.com for more information, and it is hoped the right person could be appointed by early June. The closing date for entries is April 29.