annual review

2012 / 2013

Image: Family Fiesta 2012

What’s inside?IntroductionWelcome from GemmaA bit about usAt a GlanceHighlightsOur peopleFinancesThank you

“You need to document your process and export it to other cities. Southampton and Portsmouth have struggled for years to create such an active vibrant community centre with such diverse and thought-provoking appeal.” Audience comment on Feedback Wall

IntroductionWelcome to Salisbury Arts Centre’s annual review for 2012 – 2013, giving a taste of some of the highlights of the past year. I will shortly be stepping down as Chair of the Board after six very full and exciting years. Over that time many new initiatives have been launched, both within the Arts Centre and in the wider community. Among many other things we have expanded the range and quality of our visual arts exhibitions with artists including Bob and Roberta Smith and Gavin Turk; we have greatly increased our participatory programme including launching Jigsaw: Salisbury Youth Dance Company and Upstarts young promoters group and offering free community open days; and recently we have introduced live opera on screen. These developments – and the continued success of the Arts Centre – have only been possible thanks to you, our audiences, participants, members, artists, staff, volunteers, sponsors, funders and partner organisations. I thank you all and hope that you will continue to support Salisbury Arts Centre in every way that you can, as I intend to do myself, whether by joining the new membership scheme, visiting the café, spreading the word about the importance of what happens here or, above all, buying tickets for our shows and coming along to be “surprised, challenged and included” – ENJOY! Rhoddy VorembergChair of the Board

Image: Glissando performance by Christina Hardy

Introduction

Image: Glissando performance by Christina Hardy

Image: My Baby Just Cares for Me by Full Beam Visual Theatre

Welcome from Gemma

This year has felt like one of celebration. We’ve taken every opportunity possible to get out and about and meet people, joining in with the Queen’s visit to Salisbury, running an Altar Club stage at Hudson’s Field for the Jubilee, getting muddy with our Media Dreamspace at Larmer Tree Festival and getting together with the army and young carers to make a film of Wessex Archaeology’s recent dig on Salisbury Plain. We’ve celebrated the Olympics in our own special way. An exhibition called ‘Relay’ thought about how we inspire and learn from different people, pairing feltmakers and potters, dancers and filmmakers and professionals with those learning a craft for the first time. Our two-day Family Fiesta captured something of the Olympic spirit for the very young, complete with Hare and Tortoise racing and Flamingo Croquet.

We’ve also been enjoying the opportunities offered by a staff restructure to focus on the things that you told us last year were important to you. With a bit of luck you will have noticed our expanded music programme thanks to the expertise of our new advisor Thomas Brooman, co-founder of WOMAD Festivals. We’ve also been able to give young people extra support through a full time Youth & Education Co-ordinator, resulting in new youth dance and filmmaking companies. Please do keep in touch with your thoughts and comments, either directly, through the website, or by making an addition to our new feedback wall if you’d like the chance to see your artwork included in next year’s review! Gemma OkellDirector

Image: My Baby Just Cares for Me by Full Beam Visual Theatre

“Full Beam Theatre was absolutely BRILLIANT, I’d say PERFECT, last night: the dance, the puppetry, the performance... and totally heartbreaking.”

Audience feedback on My Baby Just Cares for Me

Welcome from Gemma

A bit about usour missionTo surprise, challenge and include people in thought-provoking creative experiences.

why? Because we believe the arts keep imaginations alive, spark endless invention and give people the confidence to enjoy being themselves.

We fear without creativity the world would dissolve like our youth potters’ clay city (above) in Filmmakers Anonymous’ Apocalypse style disaster movie.

Image: Mark Burce Company, Made in Heaven

our programme

Contemporary danceContemporary theatre - physical, dance, circus, puppetry, mask, new mediaDisability Arts performances: work by and for people with disabilitiesFamily performances and performances specifically for young peopleInternational and culturally diverse workOutdoor performanceRegional and local professional performance companies and artists Visual art and new media exhibitions and installationsWorld and art house cinemaWorld musicWorkshops including Visual Arts, Dance and New media for young people and adultsResidencies and workshops by visiting professional performance companiesParticipative activities specifically for familiesPartnership co-promotions including Comedy, Acoustic Music and development of Theatre and Dance work in progress.

Image: Mark Burce Company, Made in Heaven

At a glanceNumber of events:During a perception survey in 2011/2012 somebody said, under suggestions for improvement, that they would like “more everything”. That’s exactly what we delivered.

2012/20131,744 events

2011/20121,634 events

2010/20111,563 events

Images (top to bottom): Mark Bruce Company, Angel Exit Theatre, House of Fairytales

2012/201362,000 attendances

Images: Tim Kidner

272 live performances & film screenings

8 exhibitions

1,114 artistic workshop sessions

306 other participatory events

Images (left to right, top to bottom): Wuthering Heights, Julie Cockburn ‘The Adulterer’, Jigsaw Youth Dance Company, Family Fiesta

15,066 attendances at workshops and participatory events

66% of those attendances were by children, young people and families

24% of those attendances were at sessions at a venue other than Salisbury Arts Centre

53% of those attendances were at no cost to the participants

AprilWe welcomed Idle Motion for the first time with The Seagull Effect - a theatre show about Chaos Theory, which included some very impressive projection.

HighlightsMayGonzo Moose made staff and audiences giggle with its slapstick version of the Scarlet Pimpernel.

JuneMark Bruce Company impressed us all with Made in Heaven - a beautiful dance theatre show with a great soundtrack and scary giant shark.

AprilGemma was appointed as Director and we had a little staff restructure. We now have more staff for Outreach, Fund Development and Music.

We also started a digital magazine. You said “gets a thumbs up from me!”

May The Queen visited Salisbury and, on behalf of Salisbury Area Board, we commissioned Ben Dearley and Lynn Parr to create a giant May Queen with hundreds of local residents.

JuneJoe from Jigsaw Youth Dance Company was auditioned by Danny Boyle and selected to perform in the Olympic Opening Ceremony... Well done Joe!

Images (left to right): The Seagull Effect, The May Queen, Mark Bruce Company

How have the artists interpreted the theme? Widely! There are works in the exhibition that some people won’t consider drawing at all. The panel had quite a debate over some pieces. If people look at individual works and think they’re not drawing I’d encourage them to consider why they’re not and what ‘drawing’ is to them. We invited applications that challenge our perceptions of what drawing is and I think the artists selected have really done that. The exciting thing now is to see how people react and how perceptions change or stay the same after viewing the work. We’re not making a comment on what we think ‘drawing’ is; we’re inviting people to think about what drawing means to them. Responding to art is every bit as individual as creating it.

What makes an artwork stand out in an Open application process?That’s a really good question. Works stand out for different reasons. Some because they use materials in a really innovative way. Others are exquisitely executed or have interesting subject matter. Open 2013: DrawingThursday 3 October - Sunday 10 NovemberTuesday - Sunday 10am - 3pm (subject to closure during performance times)

JulyResident artists, workshop leaders and participants joined forces in a creative Relay. Passing the baton between art forms, they created beautiful works like the modern Grecian Urn below.

AugustFive hundred people came along and took part in two days of alternative Olympic-inspired activities for the annual Family Fiesta. We particularly enjoyed the hare and tortoise racing.

SeptemberWe showed an exhibition called Glissando created specially for us by Candida Powell-Williams and Music Off Canvas - a group of students from the Royal College of Music.

JulyWe packed a van, waded through the mud and got lots of young people (and some older ones too) involved in animation and filmmaking at Larmer Tree Festival in our Media Dreamspace.

AugustOur Outreach and Engagement team took to Salisbury Plain with a group of young people, Wessex Archaeology and the army to film a special Project Florence documentary.

SeptemberOur new youth dance feeder company Seesaw began.

Images (left to right): Choreographed Vessel, Family Fiesta, Music Off Canvas

OctoberOur newest resident company, Two Destination Language, created a show for us called Would Like To Meet. As far as we know nobody found love but we all shared a little dance at the end.

NovemberWe joined forces with Two Destination Language and The Pound in Corsham for Flint - a cutting edge microfest of dance, theatre and visual art.

DecemberWorking with Salisbury Playhouse, we helped resident company Hoodwink turn Salisbury into a Frozen Forest. Families took part in ice fishing, snowflake making and other arctic activities.

OctoberThomas Brooman CBE, co-founder of WOMAD festivals, joined our team and began work on increasing our music programme.

November 14 young people passed their bronze Arts Award.

A play by Scriptwriters Doo Dah workshop participant John Yates was produced by Stephen Sharkey who curates the miniaturists at the Arcola Theatre in London. Congratulations John!

DecemberOur very own Marketing Co-ordinator Sam Adams designed our brochure for the first time. Audience verdict was “beautiful and much easier to read”. Well done Sammy.

Images (left to right): Would Like to Meet, Flint (photo by Alma Haser), Frozen Fores (photo by Dominic Parkes)

How have the artists interpreted the theme? Widely! There are works in the exhibition that some people won’t consider drawing at all. The panel had quite a debate over some pieces. If people look at individual works and think they’re not drawing I’d encourage them to consider why they’re not and what ‘drawing’ is to them. We invited applications that challenge our perceptions of what drawing is and I think the artists selected have really done that. The exciting thing now is to see how people react and how perceptions change or stay the same after viewing the work. We’re not making a comment on what we think ‘drawing’ is; we’re inviting people to think about what drawing means to them. Responding to art is every bit as individual as creating it.

What makes an artwork stand out in an Open application process?That’s a really good question. Works stand out for different reasons. Some because they use materials in a really innovative way. Others are exquisitely executed or have interesting subject matter. Open 2013: DrawingThursday 3 October - Sunday 10 NovemberTuesday - Sunday 10am - 3pm (subject to closure during performance times)

JanuarySamsara, a film that took 5 years to make and was shot on 70mm film, was screened. Lots of you were very excited to have the chance to see it on the big screen.

FebruaryDevon-based duo Solarference created and performed a live soundtrack to the film Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde for us. Other venues thought it was such a good idea that it is now touring.

MarchJoe Driscoll from the USA and Sekou Kouyate from Africa showed us all that you don’t need to speak the same language to make great music.

JanuaryYoung Filmmakers was launched for budding Spielbergs who are a little too young for Filmmakers Anonymous.

FebruaryThe Heritage Lottery Fund told us our application for funding to begin a Young Curators group had been successful.

MarchOur Director Gemma Okell and Youth & Education Co-ordinator Ellie Cootes took a day out of the office to help judge The Big Write poetry and creative writing competition at Sarum Academy. They were very impressed by the standard and range of writing.

Images (left to right): Samsara, Solarference, Joe Driscoll and Sekou Kouyate

Involving everyone in an open and encouraging environment

“Brilliant! Especially when I can take part in activity” Audience member

Family Fiesta 2012

Hoodwink created a two day Fiesta of Olympic-inspired activities. Just over 500 people came along and one parent of a two-year-old described the event as being “just about perfect”.

The event was completely free to give everyone in the community the chance to take part.

Hijack Open Mic: An open platform for young performers organised and led by UpstARTs youth promoters

2012/2013 was a busy year for UpstARTs, our young arts promoters group. They organised ten Open Mic events and the huge Hijack-All-Dayer. We’ve heard some great young musicians, as have the hundreds of 13 - 19 year olds who’ve come along.

Family Fiesta parade 2012

“Just about perfect” Audience member

“this is my second BEST PLACE EVER. I LOVE Arts centre” Freya, 9

Being passionate about the arts and our place in the community

“Lovely staff, fab venue” Freya, 9

We are passionate about giving everyone the chance to join in.

For the first time in 2012/2013 we’ve managed to increase our Outreach and Engagement team to two full time staff to work out and about in the community. This has made it possible for us to work with people who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to participate in professional arts activities, such as the young carers who took part in Project Florence.

We are passionate about working with other organisations who share our enthusiasm.

A particular highlight has been collaborating with Salisbury Playhouse to help resident company Hoodwink cast a winter freeze across the city with Frozen Forest - a festive installation and performance for pre-school children and families.

Pushing the boundaries by offering surprising and challenging experiences

We have commissioned or supported artists to make or programme new work not otherwise available to audiences in Wiltshire:

Flint: A cutting edge microfest curated by Two Destination Language.

Resident company Two Destination Language selected a wide range of surprising and challenging work to stimulate your brains and imaginations. Audience highlights included a quirky performance game by Seth Kriebel and the Pentapaper machine that drew answers to any questions people could dream up. Two Destination Language certainly pushed the boundaries of what has been shown in Salisbury before.

Glissando: An exhibition by Candida Powell Williams with performance by Music Off Canvas.

It’s not often you see a group of musicians standing on, wearing and bursting through exhibition pieces but that’s exactly what happened in Candida’s anarchically absurd collection inspired by stories of human flight. Classically trained musicians Hannah Grayson (flute), Vanessa Howells (oboe) and Sophie Crawford (bassoon) channelled the persona of mystic Christina the Astonishing, as they moved through the theatrical sculptural space.

“The mind is like a parachute: if it is not open,

it doesn’t work”

Audience Member

Flint: image by Alma Hasler

“Love the art displays, each new lot amazes us with its beauty and creativity”

Audience Member

Image: ‘Choreographed Vessel’

Inspiring the imagination with high quality work that is vibrant and alive

In 2012/2013 we inspired audiences with:

Workshops with touring companies

In autumn 2012 we hosted workshops with Bawren Tavaziva for dance professionals and Salisbury POP youth dance group alongside the company’s performance of ‘Sensual Africa’.

We also hosted a residency with Lila Dance for our own youth dance company, Jigsaw.

Relay Exhibition

Relay was an Olympics-inspired triumph. Thirteen resident/freelance artists teamed up with 132 workshop participants to create a truly original exhibition. Filmmakers worked with pottery students, Life Drawing participants collaborated with dancers. The results were inspired and inspiring.

A particular highlight was the 21st Century take on a Grecian Urn with a dance performed by Jigsaw Youth Dance Company, filmed by Mark Bishop and Filmmakers Anonymous and projected onto a pottery vessel by resident ceramicist Mirka Golden-Hann.

“Salisbury Arts Centre: where art is fun!” Audience Member posted on Feedback Wall

Going the extra mile to be friendly, welcoming and trusted

“Love the diversity of acts that come to SAC. The ambience and peace found here is unique and I have never experienced the like anywhere else that I have visited.” Audience member

We saw over 50 shows all over the country to make sure we picked great ones to bring to Salisbury.

We created activities for our website so that people who couldn’t get to us could be entertained at home. You had a go at skeleton masks for Day of the Dead, shadow puppets for Circus Bear and Eggy recipes for When Eggy Met Peggy.

We listened to you and used your feedback to improve Salisbury Arts Centre.

You said “more music” so we made space for a Music Programmer. You asked for healthy breakfasts for Big Band Brunch so we expanded our menu.

It was all made possible by:• 17 full time equivalent staff plus a pool of casual staff• Over 100 freelance professional artists & workshop leaders• 40 regular volunteers • 18 young people on work experience placementsNot to mention our lovely audience members and funders and rather a lot of cake from the cafe to keep our energy levels up!

our peopleWhen we ask people what words they most associate with Salisbury Arts Centre the one that nearly always comes up is “friendly”. That wouldn’t be possible without a team of individuals who genuinely care about the arts and the community.

We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who works at (or has worked at) Salisbury Arts Centre. We’re really proud of every single one of you.

Board MembersFrances Chinemana, Gini Churchill, Michael Cooney, Jane Gann, Ian Kirby (vice chair), Ben Occhipinti, Lucy Salisbury, Conolly Tunnard, Rhoddy Voremberg (chair), Peter Williams

Board ObserversCllr Chris Cochrane (Wiltshire Council), Cllr Ian Tomes (Salisbury City Council), Faye Stewart (Arts Council England), Peter Tyas (Wiltshire Council)

Staff TeamSam Adams, Anthony Aston, Cheryl Bingham, Richard Bingham, Sam Bitmead, Robb Blake, Alice Brooke-Smith, Isabelle Budden, Charity Colborne, Ivan Condliffe, Ellie Cootes, Barry Davis, Jessy Evans, Melanie Evans, Jess Glover, Suzy Kirby, Cameron Loadman, Sara Lock, Chris Lucas, Karen MacDonald, Simon Morris, Deryck Newland, Esther Nissard, Chris Nichol, Gemma Okell, Mary Pearse, Martin Plimsoll, Emma Reynolds, Rosie Rice, Mike Scott, Chris Silberston, Tom Sneddon, Saam Stapley, Rob Wickens

Volunteer TeamJuliet Acock, Daisy Amy, Linder Baker-Beall, Jan Bradford, Susan Carter, Sandra Chivers, Miriam Collingwood, Irene Cooney, Mick Cooney, Helen Crome, Lynn Dalgety, Isabel Davenport, Paul Dean, Jan Emery, Miranda Gallagher, Maddy Galleymore, Jan Going, Mary Gould, Ann Hamilton, Robina Hattersley, June Heron, Ann Houston, Mags Kirby, Kathryn Littlewood, Polly Mason, Carol Ann Mercer, Beáta Mesterházi, Jane Milne, Peter Mitchell, Viv Moreland, Debbie Musselwhite, Fiona Nelder, Abi Norman, Annette Ovens, Gillian Paton, Sue Phillips, Jean Pook, Julie Richardson, Anne Roberts, Christine Romano, Claire Ryan, Chloe Saunders, Angie Street, Elaine Strowger, Simon Thornton, Daphne Török, Sue Tranter, Nick Trump, Anne Walker, Tony Webb, Helen Whicher, Sally Whitehead

Resident ArtistsBig State TheatreHoodwink TheatreMirka Golden-HannTwo Destination Language

FinancesDuring 2012 / 2013 Salisbury Arts Centre has gathered financial resources from a broad range of sources including earned artistic income, trading income through the catering and bar operation, public funding and other grant income. The principal sources of core revenue funding were Arts Council England (£257,755) and Wiltshire Council (£89,507).

Salisbury Arts Centre has worked extremely hard to generate a small surplus this year, against a budgeted deficit of £13k. We have substantially increased our earned income through bar sales (around £61k as opposed to £45k the previous year), which is in part linked to increased number and profitability of music events, including promoting an event for New Year’s Eve for the first time. The balance of expenditure vs income for performances and workshops has remained tightly and extremely effectively controlled.

Unrestricted income £694,419Statutory IncomeCharitable Activity (events & hirings)Trading Income (cafe and bar)Fundraised Income

Unrestricted expenditure £688,188Charitable ActivitiesTrading expenses (catering and bar) Governance costsFundraising costs

Balance as at 31 March 2013Unrestricted Funds £91,714Designated Funds £12,335Restricted Funds £3,318,599Cash at bank and in hand £143,804

This summary of financial information is provided to give an outline of Salisbury Arts Centre’s financial position in 2012 / 2013. This has been taken from the full annual accounts, which have been audited by Fawcetts Chartered Accountants on the 24 October 2013. A copy of the full annual accounts, trustees report and audit report can be obtained from www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk or by contacting the Arts Centre on 01722 343020.

Statutory income

Charitable activity (events and hirings)

Trading income (café and bar)

Fundraised income

Statutory income

Charitable activity (events and hirings)

Trading income (café and bar)

Fundraised income

Charitable Activities

Trading Expenses (catering and bar)

Governance Costs

Charitable Activities

Trading Expenses (catering and bar)

Governance Costs

Thank youCore Supporters

Trusts & FoundationsBBC Performing Arts Fund, Community First, Coutts Charitable Trust, Sir Jules Thor Trust

Business MembersAnokaa, Barchester Green Ltd, Batt Broadbent, City Cabs Salisbury, D Phillips Ltd, Fawcetts, Fletcher & Partners, Hugh Davies & Co, Innovate Product Design, Knight Security Solutions, Naim Audio Ltd, Personnel Placements, Sarum Colourview, Salisbury Newspapers, Sambecketts, Sarum College, Signs in Motion Ltd, Traveller’s World (Salisbury), Trinity Photography, Wessex Care, Whitehead Vizard, Solicitors, Wilsons Solicitors LLP

Love Us MembersMr Hugh Abel, Mrs Atkinson, Mrs Ali Bailey, Tony Bailey, Mr and Mrs Leslie and Susan Baker, Mr and Mrs Barnwell, Dr Ros Baverstock, Mr & Mrs Neil Beagrie, Mrs Susan Beckley, Laura Bell, Norma Bell, Alison Bennett, Dr H Bird, Mrs Judith Bossano, Mr Richard J Bradley, Gina Brown, Miss Sally Brown, Mrs Sarah Brumfitt, Robert Butler, Mr Jonathan Buxton, Christine Campbell, Andrea Castell, Mr Chris Carnegy, Mrs Frances Chinemana, Clare Chitty, Gini Churchill, Dr Chris Cochrane, Miss Collier, Ms Delphine Cook, Mr Mick Cooney & Mrs Irene Cooney, Mr A Corkill, Mrs Jean Croft, Mr & Mrs B & P Crossland, Mr J Curry, Mrs Sorrel Dale, Ms Wendy Desalis, Ms V Dewan, Miss Mary Dickson, Mr Christopher Donaldson, Mrs Gwynneth Doran, Jenni Dougan, Mrs A Downing, Mrs Caroline Duffy, Mr Ken Dungate, Mrs Dee Dyett-Jones, Mrs Madeline Edmonds, Ms Marianne Ellis, Miss Geraldine Fairfax-Cholmeley, Mr Mark Ford, Mrs Marian Freeman, Ms Jane Gann, Mrs D Gibbons, Claire Glasspoole, Dr D Graves, Mrs Carmen Greenlees, Mrs Suzie Gutteridge, Mrs Catherine Hall, Mr & Mrs Mark Hatt-Cook, Mrs Robina Hattersley, June Heron, Mrs A Hillier, Helen Holdsworth, Mr Alan Hyman, Mrs Sharon Ibbotson, Mrs Jessica James, Vivien Kay, Mrs Susan Kent, Mr Ian Kirby, Marian Lacey, Ms Caroline Lanyon, Mrs Gillian Leach & Mr Cliff Leach, Mr & Mrs Debbie & Tony Lee-Anthony, Mr Edward Long-Fox, Jill Low, Mr C Macmahon, Mrs Olivia Marchant, Mr and Mrs Mason, Mrs Valerie McKie, Neville Moody, Sophia Murray Threipland, Tiffany Nield, Mr Deryck Newland, Mrs Jen Newman, Mrs Heather Olsen, Nicola Osiecki, Mrs Vanessa Paver, Mrs S Petherick, Sue Phillips, Martin Plimsoll, Mrs Jennifer Pope, John and Val Potter, Lin Pritchard, Mrs Mary Christine Ratcliffe, Mrs Caroline Rippier, Phillip Ruark-Davis, Ms Lucy Salisbury, Mr & Mrs Derek Sealey, Ian Softley, Roger & Mary Stephens, Dr Helen Sutton, Ms Nelly Thelwall, Kirsten & Digby Thomas, Mr Roger Townsend, Mr Conolly Tunnard, Mr & Mrs Rhoddy & Susie Voremberg, Krupa Vyaghra, Ms Ellen Waeckerlin, Mr & Mrs Warrander, Mrs Christine Waterman, Janet Watford, Mrs C A White, Mrs J Whittle, Mrs S Whittle, Sue Wight, Mr Barry Wilkins & Miss Caroline Lewis, Mr Peter Williams, Ms Patricia Willshire, Mrs R E Wilson, Mrs Renee Wilson

Our final thanks go to our numerous volunteer stewards, artists, supporters, hirers and partners without whom our work would not be possible, and to our audience members and participants who make all the hard work worthwhile.

You’re helping us create stars!

“An impressive organisation, Salisbury Arts Centre promotes an eclectic programme of performance, exhibitions, educational and community activities linked to a strong participatory programme. It offers a range of innovative work, commitment and evidence towards developing artistic quality and a detailed approach to audience development.” Arts Council England National Portfolio assessment

“Wiltshire Council places high value on both the work that the Arts Centre does to enliven the community through the arts and on the role that the Arts Centre plays in drawing together the community, sharing skills and empowering individuals and groups through its arts offer and through the networks it supports.” Jane Scott, Chair of Wiltshire Council