DU Dance (NI) appoints Jack Philp as new Artistic Director
9th January 2026
We are thrilled to announce that Jack Philp has been appointed as new Artistic Director and will take up the role from early April. Philp is an internationally recognised choreographer and artistic director. He has created commissioned work for several companies, organisations and vocational schools, as well as toured productions across the UK as the Artistic Director of his independent collective Jack Philp Dance.
The appointment follows an extensive recruitment campaign, launched in autumn 2025, for an exceptional individual responsible for setting the artistic vision and strategic direction for the company and ensuring the successful delivery of DU Dance’s work. This is a significant moment in the company’s journey, as we look ahead to a new chapter of leadership following the stepping down of founding Artistic Director, Mags Byrne.
Ultimately reporting to the board and working with the DU Dance team, Jack Philp will further develop our inspiring, distinctive, and forward-looking dance development company. His leadership will focus on enabling artists and communities, championing the Northern Ireland dance sector, and driving meaningful connections across the organisation and beyond.
As part of his recent work at National Dance Company Wales, Philp supported the redevelopment of the company’s engagement strategy, tripling youth participation and influencing approaches to dance education across schools. He has curated large-scale participation projects, including LAUNCH Festival, and mentored artists through Dance Ireland’s HATCH programme. His cross-border practice includes residencies with Dance Ireland, Dance Cork Firkin Crane and Galway Dance, alongside contributions to initiatives such as Luail’s Moving in Collaboration International Intensive and work with the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, strengthening connections between community participation and the professional dance sector across Ireland and the UK. Jack is an alumnus of the Clore Leadership Programme, works as a guest rehearsal director for Luail, Ireland’s National Dance Company, and has recently developed new choreographic projects supported by Immersive Arts UK.
Rosamond Bennett, DU Dance (NI) chair, said: “On behalf of the board, I want to thank Mags Byrne for forging a dance development company that has made such a huge and measurable impact on so many people, grown and enriched the dance sector here in NI, the island of Ireland, the UK and internationally, and provided leadership and inspiration to a whole generation of community dance artists. At this time of change, we are delighted to welcome Jack Philp as Artistic Director. Jack has proven himself to be an ambitious leader in dance in the UK and Ireland, delivering work at the highest level with motivations that mirror our own deeply held values – cross-community participation, intergenerational connection, and amplifying young voices through creative expression. We are excited about the possibilities ahead.”
Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Arts Development Officer for Drama & Dance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “Jack Philp has already made a vast contribution to dance, and his creativity, knowledge and experience will bring a further rich dimension to the work of DU Dance. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to be principal funder of DU Dance and is delighted to see Jack join as Artistic Director.”
Jack Philp, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining DU Dance as Artistic Director. The organisation has a powerful history of placing dance at the heart of communities across Northern Ireland and beyond, and I’m excited to build on this legacy. I’m really looking forward to working with the team, fellow artists, participants and partners to help shape our next chapter; developing ambitious, inclusive programmes that deepen participation, nurture leadership, and strengthen connections to the professional dance landscape.”
(Image Credit: Hannah Bracher-Smith.)