Manchester culture organisation, HOME, has named Karen O’Neill as its new Executive Director and Deputy CEO.
Since 2019, O’Neill has been CEO of Lancaster independent cinema and the county’s only producing theatre, The Dukes.
“I am so excited to be joining HOME MCR. HOME has long been an organisation I have admired for its creative work and how it has engaged both artists and communities across film, theatre and the visual arts,” she said.
“It is a brilliant time to joining HOME and I look forward to working with the team to create more diverse and amazing creative experiences for Manchester and beyond. HOME is one the North’s most electrifying cultural organisations and I can’t wait to be part of it.”
O’Neill is credited with taking The Dukes on a transformational journey and remodelling the organisation to create a strong financial base, forming partnerships with Lancaster University, Lancaster BID, Lancaster City Council and Lancaster County Council.
She also led its successful Arts Council England application and oversaw the return of The Dukes Play in the Park.
O’Neill is also Chair of Arts Catalyst, a Board member of Hope Mill Theatre and Theatre Porto. In addition she’s a Clore Leadership Fellow and an International Fellow of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at Kennedy Centre in Washington.
“She brings with her a wealth of considerable experience having led several arts and cultural organisations and building, in particular, a substantial network in the North West,” said Dave Moutrey, CEO and Artistic Director at HOME
“She joins us at a very exciting time, as we further develop our current and future strategic priorities and continue to work closely with artists and communities in the region and create great cultural experiences for our audiences.”
O’Neill officially joins HOME in November.
