ANNUAL REVIEW 14/15
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
Introduction Since 1978 Lighthouse has provided a vital cultural role in Poole and the South West as a nationally important arts venue where creative work is made, rehearsed, discussed, shared and presented. We have continued to develop this role with a broad programme of live music, theatre and dance as well as film and visual arts and to offer the community of Poole and beyond opportunities to experience and take part in many performances and projects. This year our artistic programme has delivered 420 live performances, with 195 productions received from visiting companies, 15 visual art exhibitions, and 718 film screenings. With the support of European funding from the Interreg IV programme for our PASS Circus project, we have commissioned 7 new works for theatre/contemporary circus and provided 8 artists residencies for theatre and circus companies.
continues to be well maintained, cared for and offers an up to date and sustainable Concert Hall, Theatres, Studio, Cinema and Gallery. This work takes place in Summer 2016.
420 live performances
With thanks to generous support from Arts Council England, Borough of Poole, Trusts and Foundations BSO and private donors through our appeal campaign, Love Lighthouse, we have raised £5.1m to date, 96% of the amount required to complete the capital works. We will continue to develop the appeal over the coming years as additional funding will be crucial to continue to make improvements to the building, create and deliver outstanding artistic projects, support associate artists, provide an ambitious education programme and develop our role as a nationally important cultural leader. We are extremely grateful to Borough of Poole and Arts Council England for their continuing investment of the arts in Poole, through vital revenue funding support.
We have also produced two new theatre productions – Robin Hood and Hansel and Gretel. The artistic programme continues to make an important contribution to our income and as an organisation we make a significant impact to the economy of the town.
I am indebted to and thank our remarkable staff, trustees and volunteers whose expertise and hard work, support, commitment and enthusiasm has contributed hugely to our continued success. We are delighted that we have the strong and passionate support of our audiences and building users and the amazing talent of our artists that enables us to flourish.
We have spent this year reviewing our education and outreach programme and in mid-2015 launched our new Learning and Participation Strategy. We are grateful for funding from the Arts Council Catalyst programme to deliver our first year. We will be looking for additional funding to continue this work.
Elspeth McBain, Chief Executive
In 2018 the building will be 40 years old and over the past two years we have developed our plans for a £5.3m capital project to refresh and improve these facilities, ensuring that Lighthouse CHAIR’S FOREWORD
Arts Centres – Every Town Should Have One When in the 1970s Poole’s Centre for the Arts was first conceived and built, the country was in the midst of a gigantic renewal of its stock of buildings for the arts. Outside London, political initiative and capital funding came from the country’s local authorities, urged on by Government Minister Jennie Lee’s landmark White Paper for the Arts and its declaration that everyone - regardless of where they lived – should have access to the arts. Today the baton of that responsibility has passed very largely to the voluntary sector. So, behind the scenes of this year’s shows and films which this Review records, Poole Arts Trust has been
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hard at work as a charity to raise funds for the physical renewal of Lighthouse, making it fit for artists, audiences and the business model of our present time. As we reach the point of launching a public appeal to achieve the final target of our Capital Appeal, my thanks are due to many Trusts & Foundations as well as generous local philanthropists that have taken us this far. But also to publicly funded bodies Arts Council England and to Poole Borough Council which, in straightened financial times, has renewed its original commitment to the people of Poole and Dorset. We hope that the work highlighted in this Review continues to return that investment.
David Pratley, Chair
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OUR STRATEGIC AIMS
✚ Deliver a wide-ranging, high quality, nationally recognised arts programme; developing new strands to the programme as well as nurturing companies and artists throughout Poole and the South West.
PIRATES OF THE CARABINA : FLOWN
‘Flown is imaginative and risk-taking and in those unexpected places it soars.’ The Evening Standard
✚ Be the home of BSO and work collaboratively to ensure the successful delivery of the Orchestra’s primary concert series.
✚ Ensure financial resilience to support both our cultural and commercial objectives.
✚ Engage with, communicate and develop our audiences with a particular focus on children and young people.
✚ Operate a world-class facility that is well managed to the benefit of stakeholders, artists, audiences and hirers. BOARD MEMBERS David Pratley Chair Donna Blanche
Deputy Chair
Neil Sorton
Company Secretary (retired October 2014)
Anthony Blackstock Sally Crawford Oren Lieberman Michael Lovibond Tracey Peters Mark Powell Professor Bob Reeve Amir Sadeh Chris Sparkhall Sylvia Webster EXECUTIVE Elspeth McBain
Chief Executive Officer
Sara St George
Head of Sales and Marketing/Deputy CEO
Martyn Balson
General Manager
Peter Wilson
Head of Finance and Company Secretary
Rebecca Taylor
Head of Development (until Jan 2014)
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Delivering a great, wide ranging, arts programme The introduction of our 80/20 Vision in 2012 has transformed our programme. In 2014-15 this strategy has again proved to be the cornerstone of a season which delivered a broad and vibrant programme. We have supported work from exciting non-mainstream companies, developed opportunities for new talent with real ambition, expanded the programme for younger audiences whilst also honing our own producing and creating skills. We believe that the successes we have achieved have been because the work we deliver meets the needs of audiences providing access to the best national work within their locality. During the year we supported an increased programme of residencies, curation and creation opportunities and commissioned a number of new works, some supported by the PASS Circus Across the Channel, which was substantially funded by the Interreg IV programme.The final year of this project enabled Lighthouse to co-commission seven new contemporary circus productions, and to provide artists’ residencies for seven companies. Funding from the Interreg IV programme has given us the opportunity to support the development of contemporary circus in the UK and to offer our audiences the opportunity to see and experience some incredible performances. Working in partnership with Activate and Borough of Poole Arts Development and Tourism teams we presented the sensational BOO! by company Cirk Vost in the beautiful setting of Poole Park.
Over 8,000 people flocked to the town to see this exciting ariel spectacular. Associate artists Angel Exit and Forest Forge created new shows with us which are now touring. The Ballad of Martha Brown saw Angel Exit develop their work from small to mid scale for the first time. Forest Forges’s Hansel & Gretel delivered 26 performances to over 3,000 children over the Christmas period. As co-commissioners of Gandini Juggling (part of the PASS project) we also presented the world premiere of a new work, 4x4, prior to a run at the Linbury Studio in London. Through the Black Theatre Live (BTL) and Circus Evolution Consortia we have further expanded the breadth of our offer. The first tour for BTL was TARA ARTS production of Macbeth, with an all Asian cast. The contemporary dance programme has been enhanced by the continued relationship with Dance Touring Partnership who not only enable international and British dance to be presented, but have also supported audience and continued professional development work. We self produced our Pantomime, Robin Hood, the third Family Circus Festival which presented a unique and exciting opportunity for audience to experience really innovative contemporary circus and to take part in many circus related activities – all for free.
IN 2014/15 WE PRESENTED:
655
39
film screenings
‘Live From’ screenings
223
live productions
420
15
performances
visual arts exhibitions
*28.5% promoted by Lighthouse, 37.5% co produced; 19.5% BSO concerts, 14.5% hosted
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ASSOCIATE ARTISTS ANGEL EXIT: MARTHA BROWN
‘a powerful piece of theatre that transfixed the capacity audience with its imaginative set, innovative style and emotive storyline’ Dorset Echo
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Home of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Poole is the only town in the UK with its own world class symphony orchestra! All other major symphony orchestras are based in major cities. We are delighted to be working closely with BSO on joint initiatives and delivering their ambitious programme. This year has seen collaboration on programming and the first joint BSO / Lighthouse music open day was produced and presented. The organisations also co-promoted two specially programmed family concerts and five community performances for schools. We are grateful for the support of the BSO of the Lighthouse Capital Project which will bolster the conditions in which classical music can thrive, by improving the experience and environment for both the concert-goer and the artists at work.
‘I am proud to have Lighthouse as the home for our world-class orchestra. Home to the BSO since it opened in 1978, Lighthouse is where we plan, create, rehearse and perform our work. It is the place to which we welcome international artists from over twenty countries a year to work alongside our outstanding musicians, and from where we take our work right across the region, country and in the case of our broadcasts and recordings, the world.’ Dougie Scarfe, BSO Chief Executive
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Partnerships & Networks PARTNERSHIPS Lighthouse works in partnership with many organisations to present a highly diverse, bold, live performance programme. New works we partnered with this year to present touring theatre, dance, contemporary circus and music include: Activate Arts University Bournemouth Arts Council England (ACE) Borough of Poole Bournemouth and Poole College Bournemouth Tourism Bournemouth Symphony Chorus Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Bridport Art Centre Cirque Jules Verne, Amiens Circomedia Clore Foundation Conseil General De La Manche Crying Out Loud Dance Touring Partnership Dorchester Arts Centre Dorset Arts Trust (DAT) Dorset County Council Dorset Theatre Promoters Consortium Farnham Maltings FUEL La breche, Cherbourg, La Renaissance, Caen Music Beyond Mainstream (MBM) Pavilion Dance South West Poole Tourism Seachange Arts Serious Soundstorm Wave
NETWORKS Lighthouse is a member of: Black Theatre Live Circus Evolution Dance Touring Partnership Dorset Arts Trust Making Tracks Music Beyond Mainstream (MBM) Routes South West
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Financial Sustainability In the year ending 31 March 2015, Lighthouse was successful in retaining its status as a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England (ACE). The Borough of Poole who, as well as owning the building, provide financial investment to deliver a strong cultural provision.
14000 first-time attendees
The refurbishment works (of which phase one was completed summer 2015 and phase two is due in Summer 2016) are a key element of Lighthouse’s ongoing strategy to build financial resilience and cement the organisation’s position as a worldclass venue. We are indebted to our funders and a number of Trusts and Foundations and individual donors for all of their support. These include: The Wolfson Foundation, The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Foyle Foundation, Mr Clive and Mrs Sally Sherling, Equity, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, The Sylvia Waddilove Foundation, our Lighthouse Patrons and the many individual givers who have been so generous with their vgifts. These gifts, and others, have enabled Lighthouse to release a grant of £240,000 from Arts Council England’s Catalyst fund which will be invested directly in developing learning and participation activity for audiences in all walks of life.
6%
growth in event capacity
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Summary Financial Statement For the year ended 31 March 2015 an unrestricted net surplus of £6,784 was achieved (2014: £1,450). Turnover, however (being total incoming resources not including voluntary and investment income), fell by 2% to £2,566,274. These results underscore Lighthouse’s ongoing commitment to growing the organisation’s financial resilience and overall efficiency, whilst continuing to deliver a great arts and learning and participation programmes in a world-leading venue. POOLE ARTS TRUST LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANY
INCOME n 39.8% n 14.4% n 10.8% n 10.1% n 9.9% n 8.9% n 6.1%
18%
year-on-year increase in voluntary income
Ticket Income Grants, Borough of Poole Rental Income Grants, Arts Council England Bars, Catering, Merchandising Other direct programme income Trading Company
EXPENDITURE n n n n n n n
50.8% 13.5% 13.3% 11% 7.8% 2.2% 1.6%
Direct Programme and Event Costs Support Costs Establishment Costs Marketing and Publicity Bars, Catering, Merchandising Trading Company Governance Costs
POOLE ARTS TRUST LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANY
Unrestricted Funds - total £’000’s
2015
2014
832
830
2
5
546
494
Income from events programme
2026
2142
Total income
3406
3471
339
362
Costs for events programme
1841
1975
Administration, services and marketing
1219
1147
Total expenditure
3399
3484
7
(13)
INCOME Grant income Donations and gifts Trading sales
EXPENDITURE Trading costs
Surplus / (Deficit) for the Year
This annual report has been prepared in order to summarise the financial information for the year ended 31 March 2015. The information in this report has been derived from the full audited accounts which can be obtained from Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG.
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Audiences, Participation and Engagement Our programme appeals to a diverse range of visitors from across both Poole and the South West. We have an incredibly loyal audience who are adventurous in their programme choice. Approximately 40% of our users are based in Poole, with the remaining 60% largely travelling from across the South Coast and South West. We are inclusive and accessible which is reflected both in our ticket prices and our continued commitment to ensure everyone, locally and regionally, has access to the unique and vibrant experience Lighthouse has to offer. Our average ticket price was £8.80 and we recorded approximately 14,000 first-time attendees in the year. 111507 subsidised tickets 6160 schools tickets 662 free teacher tickets 1948 free companion seats
In 2016 we are investing in a new Ticket Sales System and Website which will improve our ticket purchase process and enable improved communication of the activities we offer. We have taken time this year to develop a new strategy for our Learning and Participation. We delivered a number of activities as part of other projects including a creative careers event, summer workshops, a Cultural Hub project, pre and post show talks and outreach programmes attached to Dance Touring Partnership productions, venue tours, work experience.
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post show talks delivered by 64 artists
630 Live for 5
‘Lighthouse is a focal point for all sorts of people who use the building, from French conversationalists to grass roots art groups, a community space for the people of Poole and further afield to come together. In that sense it means different things to different people, just as it has done to me in the relatively short time I’ve known it, but the important thing is that it means something to so many’ Simon McCormack, Writer in Residence
198000
attended by over 2300 people Our annual massed choir project Lighthouse Big Sing attracted 350 people of all ages to a day of participation and a performance of Carmina Burana. Poppyfields was a new creative project supported by the Heritage Lottery fund and the Cultural Hub to mark the centenary of the First World War in Poole. 261 people joined our Tea Dances presented in partnership with the BSO and Borough of Poole.
6160
662
schools tickets
free teacher tickets
tickets sold
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1948
free companion seats
We continue to support Stagewise, Dorset School of Acting, Dance For All and Bournemouth Youth Chorus and who provide regular classes and workshops for young people to train in drama, street dance and choral singing and Leisure Painters who provide opportunities for older people to paint. 390 children from 5 local schools worked with professional artists to create a storybook and artworks for public display, all linked to the new commission of Hansel and Gretel that was created by Forest Forge Theatre Company for the studio. Lighthouse supports opportunities and training for young people with an interest in working in the arts. We devised bespoke arts outreach events for local secondary schools (Carter Community School, Lytchett Minster School and Poole High School) and worked in partnership with Wave, Soundstorm and Dorset Arts Trust to deliver a creative careers day.
‘The young people could directly relate to the repertoire, making the work slightly more meaningful to their experience. The female dancers inspired the young women and has given them a drive to succeed as a dancer and artist…’ Participant feedback on a DTP workshop
The delivery of the third Circus Family Fun day as part of the PASS circus project offered hundreds of local people the chance to engage with some of the most exciting French circus artists and to see performances and take part in workshops totally free of charge. Lighthouse works in partnership with BSO to present Mini BSO family concerts, schools performances and Rusty Musicians projects and with Bournemouth Symphony Chorus on community choral projects. As a leading local employer we offer a two year Technical apprenticeship as well as opportunities for paid internships in Marketing. Our annual Family Circus Fun Day offered 25 performances and workshops which were free to the local community
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A World-Class Facility We are truly grateful to have received incredible support from Arts Council England for £4m to undertake a capital refurbishment project in 2015/16. We have to find a further £1.3m to complete the works which will significantly improve our facilities, environmental sustainability and financial resilience. We have as of the end of 2015 raised £1.1m from the generosity of Borough of Poole, Trusts and Foundations and individual donors. A significant amount of time over the last three years has been spent developing the project, heavily involving staff, BSO and other regular users / stakeholders in its inception. Delivery of this project will take place in two phases with phase one completed in summer 2015. The project has given a real boost to the organisation and the investment we are now making in updating and improving operational equipment such as PA and lighting as well as replacing and updating digital technology will significantly improve delivery of the artistic programme for audiences, artists and staff. The quality of the facility has been positively affected by the outsourcing of the ground-floor cafe with the franchiesee, BH Live, drawing on their long-standing experience to provide an excellent service to our users. The growing relationship between Lighthouse and BH Live also serves to enhance the facilities Lighthouse can offer users in terms, for example, of event catering and hospitality. A significant achievement for Lighthouse has been the retention of our Investor in People status for the next three years. The report commended the organisation for having a clear business strategy that was well communicated to all employees.
Making an entrance in 2016 – architects impression of the new building frontage
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01202 280000 www.lighthousepoole.co.uk Company Registration Number: 1368325 | Charity Registration Number: 275961 Registered and Principal Office: Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1UG