Aosdána will hold its 41st General Assembly on Monday, 14 November 2022, in the O’Reilly Hall, University College Dublin, Belfield Campus in partnership with the UCD College of Arts and Humanities.
Each year the membership of Aosdána meets for a General Assembly; to elect new members, to agree matters of policy and procedure, and review the various activities of Aosdána, as well as discuss issues relevant to the arts and artists in society. The proceedings of a General Assembly are covered by Standing Orders.
The General Assembly will include a range of performances from UCD College of Arts and Humanities students during the day. The afternoon session which begins at 3pm is is open to the public.
The Assembly which will open with an address from Mark Rogers, Acting President UCD and Maureen Kennelly, Director, The Arts Council will feature an Art and Sculpture Walk, with Associate Professor Emily Mark Fitzgerald, UCD School of Art History & Cultural Policy; a short reading by Djamel White, MFA Creative Writing student; Two short plays directed by 2022 UCD MA Theatre Practice graduates: Algorithm, by Emma Thornton; Every Time We Do This Things Get Worse, by Roisin Sheridan-Bryson; and The Choral Scholars at University College Dublin, conducted by Desmond Earley with Kenneth Edge, Alto Saxophone; Kevin Whyms, Guitar.
After the Assembly the launch of Aosdána Beginnings by Mark Duncan in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Aosdána will take place in the Conservatory, O’Reilly Hall. Mark O Kelly, Council Member, will launch the publication with Mark Duncan speaking at the launch. The event will conclude with author Anne Enright delivering a eulogy to Anthony Cronin, former founding member of Aosdána and Saoi.
The publication is an illustrated text of historical and cultural significance which tells the history of Aosdána and how it was founded. It highlights the artistic work of members as individual artists paying particular attention to the Saoithe as well as incorporating all five disciplines: Literature; Visual Art; Music; Choreography; Architecture. It lists the original 89 members appointed in 1981 and outlines all members elected since 1984. Published by the Arts Council the book will be made available via the Arts Council web site and online. Mark Duncan is a historian and writer who has published extensively on 20th century Irish history. A co-founder of the InQuest Research Group (www.inquest.ie).
Aosdána and the Arts Council would like to acknowledge the support of UCD for the 41st General Assembly.