Fellow’s Profile
Cian Smyth
Fellow’s Profile
Cian Smyth
Useful Art? Three case studies on art and social change
Fellowship
Themes
Focus
Challenging global narratives about peace processes, and how creativity survives political conflict.
Countries
Fellowship year
2023
Locality
Northern Ireland
Biography
I am a cultural programmer and producer who has advised, commissioned or made work with artists across disciplines: from film to visual arts, from performing arts to digital works. I have worked with a diverse range of artists and organisations Ð from queer cabaret legends Duckie to visual artist Jeremy Deller, from the Belfast Film Festival to Sadler's Wells, from circus vanguards Compagnie XY to social practice artist Suzanne Lacy, and from 14-18 Now to Hull City of Culture 2017 and London 2012 Ceremonies and Festival. The work produced has reached an audience of millions.
My career began in Ireland's oldest bookstore, Hodges Figgis. I went on to work at various international film festivals before joining the UK Film Council and the founding team at Northern Ireland Screen. I was a co-founder (2007) and Chair (2013-2020) of Outburst Queer Arts Festival, a board member of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (2015-2020) and I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts.
I continue to advise on nationwide and international cultural programmes while directing an arts programme 'Ulster Presents' for Ulster University.
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.