Corporate Governance for Exemplar Arts Infrastructure

Síolrú, RHA, 1994: Photo Jackie Ryan

Over the past 30 years I have worked with so many arts organisations whose establishment selected a corporate structure which was not fit for purpose. So much time and money is wasted fixing it later.

If your organisation is planning to apply for state subsidies and grants, and has a core artistic mission, then it should be set up as a Private Limited Company with No Share Capital. What does this mean in human language? It is a legal entity with no owners (shareholders) and exists to fulfil its artistic mission. In Ireland it is called a CLG. I have written two guidance documents (always seek your own independent legal advice), to shorten the differences between a private company (with owners/shareholders) (LTD), and a not-for-profit private limited company with no shareholders (CLG). Read the LTD guidance here. Read the CLG guidance here.