Our Library and Arts Service are seeking a contractor to deliver Cork County Culture Night Programme

Request for quotation for Community Programme Manager services.

Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is a national moment, celebrating all that makes up the richness and diversity of culture in Ireland today, connecting people to cultural activities locally and nationally and aims to open up pathways to ongoing creative engagement. Culture Night is an all Ireland event directed by the Arts Council and delivered with the support of all local authority arts offices. This year Culture Night will take place on Friday 19th September.

Cork County Council Library and Arts Service wishes to appoint an experienced Community Programme Manager to lead on the delivery of the Cork County Culture Night Programme 2025. Cork County Culture Night takes place in 17 Hub Towns Culture Night programme in Baile Mhuirne, Bandon, Bantry, Carrigaline, Charleville, Clonakilty, Cobh, Fermoy, Kinsale, Macroom, Mallow, Midleton, Mitchelstown, Passage West, Skibbereen, Watergrasshill, and Youghal. Events are also programmed in other locations across the county. In 2024 over 17,000 people attended 166 events in 132 venues.

The Cork County Culture Night Programme Manager role will operate as a contract for services between the contractor and Cork County Council Arts Office. The Project will commence from May 5th 2025 and will extend no later than October 31st 2025. Work on this project will require extensive travel, flexibility, and availability outside normal working hours.

Requirements of the role:

The role requires a versatile, experienced self-starter with access to own transport and a full clean driving licence. The selected service provider will hold their own public liability insurance and be in a position to indemnify Cork County Council in relation to project coordination services provided.

The ideal applicant will have;

  • experience delivering large scale events in line with health and safety protocols;
  • managing various stakeholders;
  • programming for and with various community groups;
  • knowledge of the arts and culture sector in county Cork;
  • ability to build relationships, foster communities and get people working together.

The role will involve:

  • Programming and co-ordinating Cork County Culture Night 2025. This will involve identifying, energising and supporting the work of local organising groups in each of the 17 designated Culture Night Hub Town.
  • Assisting and advising individuals and groups intending to hold Culture Night events in other areas of the County including the islands.
  • The programme coordinator will programme and manage events in libraries and other venues ensuring that the programme is diverse and provides opportunities for all to participate in Culture Night.
  • Acting as the point of contact for all Culture Night event organisers, with an on the ground presence throughout the county.
  • Reporting to the Cork County Council Arts Office team, to ensure the project is effectively administered at all stages.
  • Working closely with the Marketing Coordinator to deliver content for marketing materials and websites.
  • Ensuring all events are delivered in line with Health and Safety Guidelines, liaising with event organisers and municipal district offices, to ensure effective event management plans are in place for large scale events.
  • Ensuring effective evaluation of the county programme and compiling data on attendance and engagement from all organisers.

Remuneration

The total budget for the contract for services will not exceed €14,000 inclusive of VAT and any other expenses incurred in connection with the delivery of services.

How to Apply:

  • A short professional resume demonstrating your experience relevant to the role. 
  • A brief outline how you will deliver the programme (no more than 750 words).
  • A full quotation for the provision of the above programme manager services.
  • A declaration that you will be able to supply a tax clearance certificate to Cork County Council, if successful.
  • A declaration that you will be able to indemnify Cork County Council in respect of professional services provided under your public liability policy.
  • Copy of current Driver’s licence and declaration that you will have access to your own transport, if appointed.

Submissions must be emailed by 5pm on 4 April 2025.

Email to: [email protected] (note emails should not be larger than 10mb in size).

Cork County Council reserves the right to shortlist candidates; shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.

Email any enquiries about this contract to [email protected].