Board Open Call
Published
February 16, 2024

Board Open Call

Would you like to be part of the future of new music in Ireland?

We are looking for expressions of interest from people who would like to join our board. A limited number of places are available and we are particularly interested in individuals with experience and expertise in:

Fundraising
Management
Government/Policy

About Crash Ensemble

Crash Ensemble is Ireland’s leading new music ensemble; a group of world-class musicians who play the most adventurous, ground-breaking music of today. 

Amazingly ordinary people doing extraordinary things - Crash is innovative, adventurous and ambitious.

Led by cellist and Artistic Director, Kate Ellis and Principal Conductor, Ryan McAdams, the ensemble commissions, collaborates, explores, investigates and experiments with a broad spectrum of music creators and artistic collaborators: ‘We love to innovate, with quality always at the heart of everything we do. We are passionate about the music we play. We create experiences; exploring new ways of presenting music and bringing our audiences on new adventures. Community for us is key – our community inspires us to create and experiment more. We value our audiences and our connection with them.

Crash perform both in Ireland and internationally. The ensemble’s music is available on their own label, Crash Records and they have recordings on Nonesuch, Cantaloupe, NMC, Ergodos and Bedroom Community labels.

Many well-known artists from diverse musical backgrounds have performed with the ensemble; Terry Reily, Gavin Friday, Dawn Upshaw, Diamanda La Berge Dramm, Laurie Anderson, Lisa Hannigan, Íarla Ó Lionáird (The Gloaming), Bryce Dessner (The National), Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire), Sam Amidon and Beth Orton.

As well as performing throughout Ireland, Crash regularly perform internationally, with appearances in the last few years at the Edinburgh International Festival, The Royal Opera House (London), The Barbican (London), Carnegie Hall (NYC) The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington DC), Virginia Tech (Virginia), GAIDA Festival (Lithuania) and residencies at The Huddersfield Contemporary Music festival (UK) and Princeton University (NJ).

Crash Ensemble is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and Dublin City Council, is a resident ensemble at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland and at Kilkenny Arts Festival, Ireland.

Role of Board Members

Directors of the board are both company directors and charity trustees and should understand the legal duties of their role as per the  Charities Regulator and the Arts Council’s Practical Guide for Board Members of Arts Organisations. Directors are responsible for the organisation’s strategic direction and to ensure that the highest standards of governance are upheld in accordance with the Charities Governance Code. Directors are also responsible for the legal and financial oversight of Crash Ensemble and to support its fundraising efforts. This can be done in a number of ways including joining the Development Sub-committee, championing the ensemble’s work to relevant contacts and making introductions.

Board members are elected for a 2-year term which is renewable up to a maximum of 6 years. Board membership is a voluntary, unpaid position. Meetings are held 6-7 times per year including the AGM. Board members are expected to contribute to the ongoing development of the organisation and to attend events where possible. 

Current Board and Relevant Governance Information

Current Board of Directors

Governance Information

Submission Process

Please submit a current CV/biog and short cover letter outlining how your background and experience meet our requirements.


Enquiries and applications will be treated in strictest confidence. Please contact Crash’s CEO, Siân Cunningham, sian[at]crashensemble.com if you have any questions.


Submissions should be submitted to sian[at]crashensemble.com

Closing date: Friday 01 March 2024

Crash Ensemble is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to equal opportunities regardless of age, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, gender (including gender identity), religion, membership of the travelling community, nationality, disability, medical history, personal circumstances or socio economic status. We base all our decisions on merit and suitability.

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