Thank you for your interest in volunteering at The Courthouse Gallery & Studios in Ennistymon, Co Clare. We greatly appreciate your support and dedication to the arts and culture in our community. This volunteer brief will provide you with an overview of our organization, its history, and the volunteer opportunities available.
About The Courthouse Gallery & Studios:
The Courthouse Gallery & Studios is an integral part of Ennistymon's cultural life, located in a Georgian courthouse building dating back to 1790. The building was saved from demolition by the local history group, The Old Ennistymon Society, and was transformed into artist studios in 1997 with support from the Arts Council. In 2007, it reopened as The Courthouse Gallery & Studios after a late redevelopment project funded by Access Funding from the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht, as well as support from Clare County Council.
The gallery consists of four artists' studios, a workshop space, and two gallery spaces. Architect John O'Reilly has sympathetically converted the building, preserving much of its original fabric, scale, and form, including fascinating architectural features like the Georgian windows and fanlight. The gallery is recognized as a successful conversion and reuse of a Georgian municipal building into a modern 21st-century arts space.
Our Mission:
The Courthouse Gallery & Studios is committed to maintaining the highest standards while offering an inclusive space that is open to all. We aim to promote diverse programming, practices, and audiences, fostering a creative and vibrant arts community.
Activities and Programs:
In addition to a year-round exhibition program, The Courthouse hosts various workshops, talks, seminars, classes, and events. We regularly feature music performances, poetry readings, dance shows, and collaborate with The North Clare Heritage Society to organize lectures on history, archaeology, and folklore during the winter months. This diverse range of activities attracts a varied audience, creating a dynamic and engaging environment.
Part-time Gallery Assistant (Community Employment Scheme)
The Courthouse Gallery and Studios in Ennistymon, Co Clare, is seeking an enthusiastic gallery assistant to work for 19.5 hours per week through the Community Employment Scheme.
The hours are variable and will include some weekend and evening work. The ideal candidate will have good interpersonal skills and be proficient in using computers. The role is varied and includes working on the reception desk, Front of house duties, assisting visitors, booking events, helping with installing exhibitions, and assistance with marketing and PR.
Title: Part-time Gallery Assistant (Community Employment Scheme)
Hours: Variable. 19.5 hours per week.
Salary: N/A
Location: Ennistymon, Co Clare
Start Date: June 2022
Application deadline: Rolling basis until the position is filled.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Administration:
- Good computer skills. Familiarity with Word for Windows and Excel is desirable
- An interest and knowledge of art would be an advantage
- Assisting with the installation of exhibitions
- Gallery invigilation
- Dealing with the general public to answer queries
Person Specification:
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good interpersonal skills
- Initiative and willingness to learn
Please confirm your eligibility with your local FAS Office before applying for this position. This position is only open to people who are eligible for the Community Employment Scheme, i.e. over 21 years of age and in receipt of a Dept. of Social Protection payment for 12 months or more. This includes those on the Turas Nua pathway.
For information on Community Employment Schemes (CE Scheme) see: www.citizensinformation.ie/
If interested, please provide a send a CV and expression of interest to Kathryn Comber at The Courthouse Gallery and Studios in person or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Volunteer Opportunities:
At The Courthouse Gallery & Studios, volunteers play a crucial role in supporting our operations and community engagement. We offer the following volunteer opportunities:
Gallery Assistant: Assist with gallery operations, including welcoming visitors, providing information about exhibitions, monitoring the galleries, and ensuring the artwork's safety. You will also have the opportunity to engage with visitors and answer any questions they may have.
Volunteer Commitment and Benefits:
We appreciate any amount of time you can dedicate to volunteering, whether it be a few hours per week or on specific occasions during events. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the local arts community, develop new skills, meet like-minded individuals, and gain valuable experience in a cultural institution.
How to Apply:
If you are interested in volunteering at The Courthouse Gallery & Studios, please email us at [contact email] with the following information:
• Your name and contact details
• Any relevant experience or skills you possess
• Once we receive your application, our coordinator will contact you to discuss further details and schedule an orientation session.
Thank you for considering volunteering at The Courthouse Gallery & Studios.
The Courthouse Gallery & Studios in Ennistymon, Co Clare offers a range of opportunities including:
Exhibitions: Our Annual open call takes place in the first quarter of the year and programmes for the following year or two, ie Open call in early 2023 for the 2024/25 programme. The annual programme consists of 6 to 8 exhibitions per year kindly co-funded by The Arts Council of Ireland and Clare Arts Office. This opportunity is free to apply to.
Summer Open Exhibition: selected through open call this Summer show welcomes a diverse range of artworks by artists from all backgrounds and medium. The exhibition typically features between 60 and 100 artists. This opportunity features an application fee.
Trasna Postcard Exhibition: Trasna takes place in our Winter programme in The Red Couch gallery in the upstairs project space and is designed as a diverse opportunity to sell work over the holiday season. All work is set at €50 for sale. As of 2023 this project has run for 12 years. This opportunity features an application fee.
Cruinniú na nÓg: The gallery annually programmes events to coincide with Cruinniú na nÓg which takes place in June each year. Cruinniu is a national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18 and is kindly funded by Clare Co. Council. If you would like to propose an event please get in touch. cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie
Culture Night: The Gallery annually programmes events to coincide with Culture Night which takes place in September each year. Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is brought to you by the Arts Council; it is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day. It is delivered nationwide in cities, towns, villages and rural locations as well as online. Culture Night is kindly funded by Clare Co. Council and The Arts Council of Ireland. If you would like to propose an event please get in touch. culturenight.ie
Lá Sos: Lá Sos is an exciting new initiative in 2023 by The Courthouse Gallery & Studios designed to offer artists, creatives, poets, etc residing and working in Co. Clare a unique opportunity to take a break from their regular studio or workspace and immerse themselves in a fresh environment. Inspired by the success of "Gap Day" organised by Lian Bell, Mermaid Arts Centre, and supported by The Arts Council of Ireland, which we recently participated in by hosting an artist, we aim to provide an exclusive space for artists to rejuvenate their creative spirit. Free.
Winter Market: is our annual event hosted in the main gallery and outside spaces for craft makers, artists and local social enterprises which takes place in early December each year. The Winter Market at the Courthouse is always a very enjoyable fun-filled weekend and a valuable opportunity for crafters, artists and creatives to sell their work and meet each other and their buyers which takes place over two days and includes some music, a raffle and much more. There is a fee to participate.
NCHS Lecture Series: The North Clare Historical Society hosts an annual programme of lectures over the Winter and Autumn Months which explores local and national history and contemporary topics. Fee to attend, all funding goes to paying speakers and hosting the events.
Please note: we do not accept exhibition proposals outside of the above outlined oppertunities due to limited capacity and staff.
For further information or to participate please contact the gallery on +353 (0) 65 707 1630 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
