The Arts Council has announced Kathleen Turner as the recipient of the 2017/2018 Jerome Hynes Fellowship – offered through the UK-based Clore Leadership programme. The programme aims to develop the knowledge, skills and experience of potential leaders in the arts.

Originally from Tyrone, Turner is a singer, songwriter and community musician. She holds two Masters Degrees from the University of Limerick – MA in Community Music and MA in Ritual Chant and Song, and a BA in English and Politics from the University of Stirling. Turner is the Course Director of the MA in Community Music at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, where she also teaches gospel and related repertoire and songwriting. From 2008 to 2014, she was Community Engagement Manager for the Irish Chamber Orchestra, designing and implementing a number of projects including ‘Sing Out with Strings’, a community music programme for children living in areas of urban regeneration in Limerick City. 

Speaking about the award, Turner said:

I am so excited and grateful to be part of this year’s Clore Fellowship programme with the support of the Arts Council. This is an extraordinary opportunity to gain in experience and develop new skills that I can share with my community of practice in Limerick City, the University of Limerick and further afield on my return. I am very much looking forward to working with the other Clore14 fellows in what promises to be a wonderful year. 

Orlaith McBride, Director of the Arts Council, commented:

The Arts Council is delighted to welcome Kathleen Turner as the 2017/18 Jerome Hynes Fellow. We value this relationship with the Clore Duffield Foundation. Through the fellowship programme we are helping to support a new generation of arts leaders who will bring their skills, passion and commitment to the development of the arts in Ireland.

Turner will take part in a year-long programme commencing in September. The programme includes two intensive residential leadership courses; professional development through mentoring, tuition and group learning; an in-depth research project, supervised by a Higher Education Institute; and a period of secondment, including experience of managing a challenging project.

The Fellowship is named after the Managing Director of Wexford Opera and Vice-Chair of the Arts Council who died in 2005. Previous recipients of the Jerome Hynes Fellowship include Dylan Haskins, Willie White, Fiona Kearney and Fearghus Ó Conchúir.

For more, visit https://goo.gl/93FLWd