CHAIRPERSON

Linda McBurney has over 20 years of managerial experience in roles ranging from Operations Management, Project Planning, and Internal Communication. In 2014, she switched gears to follow her passion for Visual Art and is currently the HR Manager at the MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre) in Belfast.

Linda has seven years of experience as a Trustee, the last 3 with Vault. Before joining Vault, Linda was a Trustee and Company Secretary at Belfast Print Workshop (BPW). Linda has been a printmaker/artist at BPW for 14 years and is one of their trusted advisors.

Linda has an HND in Public Administration; and is a graduate of the University of Ulster and holds a B.A. in Business Studies and Marketing, specialising in change management and project planning.

Her passion for Vault is rooted in her personal ambition to provide affordable studio spaces for local artists and a community to support them.

SECRETARY

Kristi is a photographer and founding member – she was Treasurer on the board when Vault was born. She rejoined the board in 2023.

In a former life she was an investment analyst, football coach and wedding photographer. Kristi is a Los Angeles native and has lived in Belfast since 2009. She is finishing her master's degree at Queens University in City Planning & Design, where she focused on the role of arts in planning. Kristi is one of the Directors of Daisy Chain, a creative placemaking consultancy which allows her to collaborate with artists on street art, events, research and a bunch of other stuff.

She is passionate about changing the way we look at arts in Belfast and finding secure long-term premises for the Vault community.

TRUSTEE

Marcus Patton is an architect who has worked with historic buildings for over forty years and is currently on the board of Hearth Historic Buildings Trust, which is working on the restoration of Riddel’s Warehouse. He is passionate about the reuse of derelict buildings as a way of bringing life into towns and cities. He has published several books on architecture and was awarded the OBE in 1995.

He has served on a variety of boards, including the Tyrone Guthrie Centre and the Historic Buildings Council. He is a longstanding member of Belfast Print Workshop and an Academician of the Royal Ulster Academy. He is also actively involved in classical music, playing in several orchestras and chamber groups, and sees the arts as an essential part of life.

TRUSTEE

Mike works in public-sector finance by day (with a background as a Chartered Valuation surveyor), but by night, he’s facilitating breathwork, drum circles and movement events or coaching. Mike joined the Vault Board because he is passionate about the local arts, is amazed by the variety of artists associated with Vault and wants to share his experience in board-related activities.

TRUSTEE

Eoin McGinn is an artist living and working in Belfast. Since 2013 he has practiced as a street artist painting locally and internationally. 

He works as an events organiser programming exhibitions and street art jams across Northern Ireland as well as holding the position of lead curator for hit the north street art festival since 2020.

Eoin has been a member of Vault since its inception and joined the board of Trustees in 2023. And yes, he is supposed to be upside down!

TRUSTEE

Emma Sharpe works in the public sector and is a chartered landscape architect. She joined the Vault Board in 2024 to bring her experience in city regeneration and her passion for creating vibrant, creative spaces through collaboration.

Emma is dedicated to promoting the role of art in Belfast’s identity, seeing it as a cornerstone of sustainable regeneration. She is passionate about holistic nature based design, and the role of nature in shaping our cities and enriching our lives. A keen gardener, Emma combines her professional expertise with a personal love for all things green.