We in ISACS are delighted to welcome Helen Collins to the new and expanded ISACS team in the role of Operations Manager.
I am really excited to be joining the growing team at ISACS and look forward to building on the incredible work that Lucy and Amanda and the ISACS board of directors have put in to develop, support and nurture this inspiring network of diverse artists.
I hope to take care of the day to day operations and free up Lucy’s time (and her mind!) so that with her vision, energy and heart, ISACS can continue to raise our game in step with our members whose achievements and ambition soars ever higher.
Helen graduated from UCD with a BA (Hons) in French and Linguistics in 2001, and began her career in the National Library of Ireland from 2002 – 2004. She discovered the object manipulation world via poi, which led her to manage the Jugglers’ Rest Backpackers in Picton, New Zealand in 2005, and on her return home, she joined the organisational team for the European Juggling Convention (EJC) for its first visit to Ireland in Millstreet, Co. Cork in 2006.
Following the EJC Helen returned to UCD in 2007 for a Master’s Degree in Cultural Policy and Arts Management, where her dissertation topic was the (then recent) official recognition of circus as an art form in Ireland and its impact on artists in the sector.
From 2006 – 2015 Helen went on to act as a cultural freelancer in a variety of production management, technical and box office roles, with organisations including the Dublin Fringe Festival, The National Concert Hall, Festival of World Cultures, Dublin Dance Festival, TheatreCLUB, and many more. In 2015 she joined box office software provider Ticketsolve as a Project Manager providing support and training to their network of venues and festivals. Since 2015, Helen also forms part of the Black Powder Monkeys team of pyrotechnicians.
Lucy Medlycott, ISACS Director, is enthusiastic about having Helen on board.
We are so happy to welcome Helen to our growing team here in ISACS and look forward very much to working with her on building the next phase of the ISACS Network journey.