I am an interdisciplinary performing and visual artist, producer, and director with over 20 years of international experience. I am passionate about using art as a tool for personal, collective, and cultural empowerment, with a focus on storytelling, ritual, and healing. Collaboration, care, and social transformation are at the heart of everything I do. I specialize in community-engaged creative projects that amplify underrepresented voices and foster inclusive participation. I love bringing bold, emotionally resonant projects to life, balancing big-picture vision with meticulous project management and a warm, professional approach.

Avia Gurman Murphy

I am an interdisciplinary performing and visual artist, producer, and director with over 20 years of international experience. I am passionate about using art as a tool for personal, collective, and cultural empowerment, with a focus on storytelling, ritual, and healing. Collaboration, care, and social transformation are at the heart of everything I do. I specialize in community-engaged creative projects that amplify underrepresented voices and foster inclusive participation. I love bringing bold, emotionally resonant projects to life, balancing big-picture vision with meticulous project management and a warm, professional approach.

Available to hire

I am an interdisciplinary performing and visual artist, producer, and director with over 20 years of international experience. I am passionate about using art as a tool for personal, collective, and cultural empowerment, with a focus on storytelling, ritual, and healing. Collaboration, care, and social transformation are at the heart of everything I do.

I specialize in community-engaged creative projects that amplify underrepresented voices and foster inclusive participation. I love bringing bold, emotionally resonant projects to life, balancing big-picture vision with meticulous project management and a warm, professional approach.

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Work Experience

Coordinator of Development and Training at East Clare Community Co-operative Society Ltd.
June 30, 2025 - July 20, 2025
Led the development and implementation of transformative community-focused training programmes integrating arts, culture, and wellbeing. Collaborated with Clare County Council, Clare Local Development Company, and LCETB. Provided mentorship and structural support to artists, facilitators, and grassroots groups. Authored funding applications, supported evaluation and reporting, and contributed to multi-annual fundraising. Developed promotional campaigns that increased community participation and public profile. Fostered vibrant, inclusive, artist-led community infrastructure in East-Clare.
Sales Assistant & Barista at East Clare Trading Post, Tuamgraney
December 31, 2023 - July 20, 2025
Sewing and knitting assistant at McKernan Woollen Mills, Tuamgraney
December 31, 2020 - July 20, 2025
Artistic Director, Creative Producer, Performer & Photographer at Independent Projects
June 30, 2023 - July 20, 2025
Developed and delivered large-scale community-engaged creative projects with strong social impact. Designed inclusive processes for co-creation with local participants, especially women and marginalized groups. Built cross-sectoral partnerships and community alliances addressing grief, identity, and resilience. Facilitated trauma-informed spaces for storytelling, embodied expression, and healing through the arts. Managed full project cycles from ideation and funding to delivery, documentation, and evaluation.
Business Owner & Creative Events Manager at Lady Lilith Vintage – Fashion, Design & Cultural Events
December 31, 2018 - July 20, 2025
Designed and managed websites and e-commerce platforms including Etsy and Depop. Implemented online marketing and brand strategies to build visibility and audience connection. Produced and coordinated events and vendor collaborations for vintage fairs. Cultivated a community focused on sustainable fashion, cultural exchange, and feminist expression. Delivered accessible public-facing arts events. Facilitated collaborations with local artists and organized pop-up events establishing community hubs for creativity and connection.
Producer, Director, and Performing Artist at Red Moon Music Project
March 31, 2020 - July 20, 2025
Produced productions including Sacred Tongues and Come Away O Human Child in Ireland and Israel. Developed intercultural dialogue and community connection platforms. Coordinated workshops and concerts with diverse participants and audiences. Co-facilitated inclusive spaces for reflection and engagement through music and collaboration. Managed tour coordination, workshop delivery, and marketing including social media and audience outreach. Handled budgeting, grant writing, fundraising, technical production, and logistics for seamless event delivery.
9th & 10th Polish Art Festival, Limerick
September 30, 2016 - July 20, 2025
Developed and delivered programmes focused on intercultural dialogue and community connection. Produced workshops and concerts with diverse participants. Co-facilitated reflective and engagement spaces via music and collaborative activities. Partnered with local communities and cultural venues. Managed tour coordination, scheduling, technical production, budgeting, marketing, and fundraising.
Freelance Producer, Workshop Facilitator & Voice Arts Coordinator at Various
December 31, 2019 - July 20, 2025
Designed community-focused voice and singing retreats supporting personal growth and wellbeing. Partnered with local leaders and facilitators to bring transformative experiences to diverse communities. Produced immersive workshops on cultural practice, empowerment, and creative expression, working with artists such as Nóirín Ní Riain and Ruth Wieder Magan. Managed event production, marketing, logistics, and budgets to ensure impactful delivery.
Project Manager & Performing Arts Producer at Jerusalem Theatre Company & Khan Theatre
December 31, 2008 - July 20, 2025
Managed productions including Yearning and Zohar Sabbat, overseeing planning, execution, and delivery. Directed stage management, technical coordination, and production logistics for high-quality performances. Coordinated multidisciplinary teams and facilitated efficient creative processes exploring themes of identity and memory.
Coordinator of Development and Training at East Clare Community Co-operative Society Ltd.
June 30, 2025 - July 20, 2025
Led the development and implementation of community-focused training programmes integrating arts, culture, and wellbeing. Collaborated with Clare County Council, Clare Local Development Company, and LCETB. Provided professional mentorship and structural support to artists, facilitators, and grassroots groups. Authored funding applications, supported evaluation and reporting, contributed to strategic fundraising planning, and developed promotional campaigns to increase community participation and public profile. Worked with local and national stakeholders to foster inclusive, artist-led community infrastructure.
Sales Assistant & Barista at East Clare Trading Post
December 31, 2023 - July 20, 2025
Performed sales and barista duties in a community-oriented retail environment.
Sewing and knitting assistant at McKernan Woollen Mills
December 31, 2020 - July 20, 2025
Assisted in sewing and knitting tasks contributing to textile production.
Artistic Director, Creative Producer, Performer & Photographer at Independent Projects
June 30, 2023 - July 20, 2025
Developed and delivered large-scale community-engaged creative projects with social impact. Designed inclusive processes for co-creation with local participants including women and marginalized groups. Built cross-sector partnerships addressing grief, identity, and resilience. Facilitated trauma-informed storytelling, embodied expression, and healing through the arts. Managed projects across full cycles including ideation, funding, delivery, documentation, and evaluation.
Business Owner & Creative Events Manager at Lady Lilith Vintage – Fashion, Design & Cultural Events
December 31, 2018 - July 20, 2025
Managed websites and e-commerce platforms with strong brand presence and online marketing strategies. Produced and coordinated vintage fairs and cultural events with vendor collaborations. Fostered a sustainable fashion community focusing on cultural exchange and feminist expression. Organized accessible public events and pop-up collaborations with local artists to create dynamic community hubs.
Producer, Director, and Performing Artist at Red Moon Music Project
March 31, 2020 - July 20, 2025
Produced and directed intercultural dialogue and community connection events including workshops and concerts. Built partnerships with communities and cultural organizations. Managed tours, scheduling, marketing, budgeting, grant writing, technical production, and event logistics to deliver high-quality performances.
9th & 10th Polish Art Festival – Producer and Coordinator at 9th & 10th Polish Art Festival
September 30, 2016 - July 20, 2025
Developed intercultural dialogue platforms and coordinated workshops and concerts. Facilitated inclusive spaces through music and collaborations, built local partnerships, managed budgeting, grant writing, technical production, and marketing outreach.
Freelance Producer, Workshop Facilitator & Voice Arts Coordinator at Freelance
December 31, 2019 - July 20, 2025
Designed and led community voice and singing retreats focused on personal growth and wellbeing. Partnered with local leaders and artists to deliver transformative cultural workshops. Managed event production, marketing, logistics, and budgets.
Project Manager & Performing Arts Producer at Jerusalem Theatre Company & Khan Theatre
December 31, 2008 - July 20, 2025
Led multiple productions with responsibilities spanning planning, execution, stage management, technical coordination, and production logistics. Coordinated multidisciplinary teams to support cohesive artistic outcomes exploring identity and memory themes.

Education

MA at University of Limerick
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2013
Higher Diploma at School of Visual Theatre, Jerusalem
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2003
MA at University of Limerick
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2013
Ceoltóir Diploma at Ballyfermot College of Further Education
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009
Higher Diploma at School of Visual Theatre, Jerusalem
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2003

Qualifications

Local Enterprise & Talent Pool – Female Entrepreneurs Programme
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
FETC Levels 5 & 6 in Photography and Creative Media
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2024
FETC Level 6, Build Your Own e-Business
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Stepping Stones Scholarship, MA at UL
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Local Enterprise & Talent Pool – Female Entrepreneurs Programme
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
FETC Levels 5 & 6 in Photography and Creative Media
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2024
FETC Level 6, Build Your Own e-Business
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Retail, Other