TheNCf Meeting Minutes

Date: Saturday 3rd May 2025
Location: TheNCF premises
Meeting Type: General Meeting
Attendees: 7

Attendees

Bernie Colhoun, Seosamh Cahill, Ciara McKelvey, Sean Gorman, Sarah Conway, Joe Clarke, Emmanuel Matt.

Key Discussions

Space Development

• Discussion of additional space requirements for:
  • Accessible studios
  • Artist facilities
  • Event spaces
• Potential locations identified:
  • Downstairs current NCF premises
  • Old Garda barracks across the road
• Strong interest from all attendees in utilizing proposed studios and facilities

Website Updates

• Booking calendar accessibility improvements needed
• Events page to become main landing page
• Importance of showcasing past events highlighted
• Need to better promote upcoming events

Infrastructure

• Seating and Tables: Potential sources identified:
  • Old convent
  • Scoil Padraic
• Storage: Discussion of secure storage for music equipment
• Maintenance: Toilet remedial work identified as priority

Artist Development

Bernie Colhoun proposed regular artist meetups for: - Idea sharing - Cross collaboration - Professional practice development

Suggested topics: - Art Critique Groups - Work and Practice Presentations - Exhibition Programme Scheduling - Skills Workshops - Funding Talks

Arts Activities

• Open Mic Night: Proposed by Sean Gorman
  • All art forms welcome
  • Potential recurring event
  • Joe Clarke to assist
• Teen Summer Art Group: Proposed by Sarah Conway
  • Weekly sessions throughout summer
  • Teen Art Competition discussed
  • Prize: Exhibition in TheNCF

Member Survey

• With membership reaching 200
• Survey to identify:
  • Art forms represented
  • Areas of interest
  • Member priorities

Action Items

1. Space Development

   • Bernie Colhoun & Seosamh Cahill to compile document for additional space proposal
   • Meeting to be scheduled with Declan of Ballina

2. Website Updates

   • Seo to update website with past, present, and upcoming events
   • Improve booking calendar visibility

3. Artist Development

   • Bernie to schedule recurring artist meetups
   • Contact Katriona Gillespie (Mayo Arts Office) re: funding talks

4. Arts Activities

   • Sean Gorman and Joe Clarke to progress Open Mic night
   • Sarah Conway to develop Teen Summer Art Group

5. Infrastructure

   • Seo to contact re: furniture from convent/Scoil Padraic
   • Install lock for music equipment storage
   • Arrange toilet/plumbing maintenance

6. Member Survey

   • To be distributed with next newsletter