The National Women's Council is calling for an independent investigation of the Gate Theatre, into the conduct and behaviour of Michael Colgan while CEO.
Seven women have detailed their experiences of what they say is the abuse of power by Mr Colgan.
The Chair of the National Campaign for the Arts says she believes the trust with the Gate Theatre is broken.
Juliette Gash reports;
The National Women’s Council of Ireland issued a statement this morning.
Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said,
“Following a series of reports in media from women previously employed by the Gate Theatre and by others who as part of their work in the arts had connection with the former CEO Michael Colgan, NWCI is calling on the Gate Theatre to commission an independent investigation into the conduct and behaviour of Mr Colgan whilst employed as CEO, and related governance issues..”
“The Gate Theatre is a leading arts organisation in Ireland in receipt of annual state funding, and it is important that the investigative process is entirely thorough and impartial. The investigation should include Mr Colgan’s conduct to staff, but should extend to people and organisations he dealt with in his capacity as Gate CEO. As Michael Colgan was also a Director of the Gate Theatre while in the position of CEO, the investigation should include governance issues, particularly focussing on how the Board carried out its responsibilities and duty of care to its employees. It is critical that the Board of the Gate commission an independent body as a matter of urgency and commit to implement its recommendations. In addition, NWCI requests that the Arts Council ensures all funded organisations have adequate Dignity at Work policies and reporting processes in place.”
The Gate theatre previously released the following statement;
However the women who have come forward with their allegations about Michael Colgan do not wish to engage with that confidential email.
We believe you before you open your mouth. https://t.co/rBHcdXQDrU #metoo #metooMC
— Grace Dyas (@gracedyas) November 5, 2017
We are Annette Clancy, Grace Dyas, Ali White, Ella Clarke, Ruth Gordon, Ciara Elizabeth Smyth and Aisling Kennedy
Photo: Grace Dyas, Twitter.
In the past week we have all shared accounts of our experiences of abuse of power by Michael Colgan, former Director of The Gate Theatre publicly.
This is our response to The Gate Theatre’s statement.
We welcome this attempt by the Gate to communicate with potential victims of abuse of power, but we question the independence of any process that is funded and administered directly by the Gate.
Michael Colgan sat on the board of The Gate for many years. This undermines our confidence in the impartiality of the current Board.
We will not email our experiences in their written form to The Gate using their confidential email address.
