Meet Nik Quaife, the new Director of Communications and External Affairs at the Irish Arts Center in New York.

A massive congratulations to Nik Quaife, a man I have a lot of time and respect for who has just been appointed the new Director of Communications and External Affairs for the Irish Arts Center in New York.

The Irish Arts Center was founded in 1972 and is based in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan. They describe themselves as an: 

 ... arts and cultural center dedicated to projecting a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America for the 21st century, building community with artists and audiences of all backgrounds, forging and strengthening cross-cultural partnerships, and preserving the evolving stories and traditions of Irish culture for generations to come.

Our multi-disciplinary programming is centered around three core areas: performance – including live music, dance, theatre, film, literature, and the humanities; exhibition – including visual arts presentations and cultural exhibitions that tell the evolving Irish story; and education – with dozens of classes per week in Irish language, history, music, and dance.

Nik Quaife is one of Ireland's leading arts publicists and is the founder/director of the Dublin-based Zoetrope Arts PR, which since 2003 has worked in Ireland and abroad with many of the country's leading arts organizations across all artistic disciplines. 

Most recently Nik was the Press and Communications Manager for Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland's year of Irish arts in America, during which time he also worked closely with the Irish Arts Center.

In his new role, Nik will primarily be based in New York with responsibility for communications, marketing, membership, and visitor services and will work with the organization's leadership and programming teams to increase IAC's fundraising base and sustain and build the company's presence in Ireland.

IAC Executive Director Aidan Connolly said; "We are thrilled to have Nik joining Irish Arts Center at this exciting time in our organization's history. He brings to the team immense talents and more than a decade of experience -- and equally important he shares our passion for building a dynamic, sustainable 21st century platform for Irish arts in the US."

Nik said: "I am delighted to be working with the IAC at this important time in its 42-year history. To bring my experience working with Irish artists and cultural organizations in Ireland to an organization like IAC in a city like New York at this particular time is an inspiring and exciting opportunity and I am grateful and honored to be joining such a dedicated and passionate team."