Annual Review Report 2013/14

Ffotogallery

Arts Council of Wales March 2014

About the Annual Review Meeting

Venue: Arts Council of Wales Office, Cardiff

Date of meeting: 31st January 2014

Present Ffotogallery: David Drake – Director Lisa Edgar – Head of Education Mike Bryan – Board Member

Present Arts Council: Louise Wright – Portfolio Manager Cerys Thomas – Development Officer

Date of draft report: 17 February 2014

Date of final report: 25 March 2014

1 1. Organisation Background

Ffotogallery is the national development agency for lens based media and photography. It is a company limited by guarantee which was established in 1978. Based at Chapter, the organisation delivers a year round exhibition programme at Turner House in Penarth and at various sites in Cardiff, other parts of Wales and internationally, with an extensive education and outreach programme and publishing activities.

Ffotogallery’s mission is to, “Develop the practice, enjoyment and understanding of contemporary photography and lens based media, in Wales and beyond...Our aim is to enrich the experiences of audiences and participants through artistic and educational programmes that are distinctive, innovative and stimulating.”

2. Programme of activity a. Current year activity and issues 13/14

2013/14 has been a busy year for Ffotogallery with the successful delivery of Diffusion the inaugural biennial international festival of photography. The month long festival took place in 15 venues across Cardiff with satellite events in Swansea, Aberystwyth and Caerphilly. During the festival Ffotogallery also launched European Prospects, a two year project involving collaboration between arts organisations in Wales, Germany, Lithuania and France. The organisation also continued to present a year round exhibition and education programme at Turner House in Penarth. b. Reviewed against Revenue Funding Agreement (RFA) Targets 13/14

Headline targets

 Development and delivery of the exhibition programme which continues to build and extend partnership opportunities. To include a minimum of 7 gallery based exhibitions and ancillary programme that includes education and outreach work.

Ffotogallery continued to support Wales based artists providing opportunities for them to exhibit work both at Turner House and as part of Diffusion. Work was also presented internationally including the exhibition I See Europe in partnership with Kunstbezirk in Stuttgart, which included Wales based artists James Morris, Dawn Woolley, Ken Grant, David Barnes and Anna Kurpaska.

2 The exhibition programme at Turner House reflects Ffotogallery’s commitment to show both the best of current practice here in Wales but also showcase high quality international work evidenced in solo shows of work by Indre Serpytyte (Lithuania) and Trine Sondergaard (Denmark).

 Develop education partnerships and community initiatives which continue to build upon the participation and engagement programme, expanding its reach and impact.

The Penarth Heights Project has been identified by the Welsh Government as an arts project which impacts on Attainment, Numeracy and Literacy and Narrowing the Gap, which represent strategic priorities in education. Ffotogallery is currently working with the Head of Art at Stanwell School, Penarth to prepare evidence for an impact report on these areas so that the project can be promoted as an arts in education case study on the Welsh Government’s Learning Wales platform.

A distinctive participation programme for the Diffusion festival was also developed. This included a wide range of family friendly participatory activities, artist talks, workshops, as well as the online resource Diffusion Experience. Ffotogallery continues to have ongoing working relationships with the WJEC and Cardiff Metropolitan University which accredits its programme of courses.

 Prepare, plan and deliver Diffusion - the Cardiff International Photography Festival in collaboration with providers and partners in Wales.

The inaugural month long festival included 20 simultaneous exhibitions across the city utilising existing gallery spaces such as the Cardiff Story, National Museum, g39, Chapter, Oriel Canfas and St David’s Hall. It also utilised the Tramshed, a disused 19th century building, bringing it into cultural use for the first time. The festival attracted 56,500 visitors and presented the work of 120 artists and publishers. The programme also included a one-day symposium with a keynote address from artist Richard Wentworth, an independent publishing weekend, Cardiff Photomarthon and a range of participatory activities. The festival was a good example of partnership and collaboration. It secured additional funding through lottery project funds as well a range of funding partners and sponsors including the Welsh Government through the Major Events Unit, European Cultural Foundation, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, University of Wales Newport and Pro Helvetia.

3  Co-ordinate European Prospects, a two-year Culture Programme funded international project to create pan-European opportunities for artists and cultural professionals.

The European Chronicles exhibition at the Cardiff Story during the festival was the launch of the two year European Prospects programme. The aim of the project is to create new platforms for photographers and lens–based artists from across Europe to produce and exhibit their work. Alongside Ffotogallery, the core partners are Fotosommer in Stuttgart, the Lithuanian Photographers Association in Kaunas and Le Chataeu d’Eau in Toulouse.

 Research and develop a special project, Bedazzled – a Welshman in New York, to be delivered as part of the official Dylan Thomas 100 festival programme, 2014.

The research and development aspect of this work began in September 2013, and a strong creative team has been assembled which includes writer Ben Gwalchmai and composer audio/visual artist John Rea. The development and delivery of this project will be the focus for the year ahead.

 Deliver Hidden Presence, a Heritage Lottery Funded project with Chepstow Museum including a new commission and associated public engagement programme

Socially engaged photographic artist Eva Sajovic has been appointed to help deliver the education programme which will be delivered during 2014. The public engagement programme also includes a new partnership with the local youth offending team and schools in the wider Gwent area. The Hidden Presence project will be used as a means to explore historical ideals as well contemporary slavery through visual digital media, photography, video, sound, drawing, archive research and writing.

 Deliver a programme of accredited and informal learning opportunities which is efficiently managed, sustainable and meets income targets. The programme will offer wide-ranging engagement with contemporary photography and lens-based media practice.

Ffotogallery continues to offer a full complement of accredited courses in photography, video and web based skills. Cardiff Metropolitan University provides accreditation for the courses and Ffotogallery remains committed to providing affordable course fees, darkroom and printing facilities. Discussions are ongoing with Student Finance at the Welsh Government to explore the

4 option of students utilising loans. Ffotogallery also provides more informal open access workshops, family friendly activities and the monthly FORUM events in partnership with WARP. All of these activities enable the organisation to support both practitioners and audiences to have a deeper engagement with photography and contemporary art.

 Develop the potential of digital initiatives for audience engagement, artist development and the distribution and sale of publications to extend Ffotogallery’s offer to new audiences, aiming to create additional income and develop new marketing approaches.

Building on the success of both Lightbox and The Penarth Heights Project which utilised digital technologies, the Diffusion Experience became a comprehensive resource for the festival with artist interviews, slideshows, reviews and videos. The Ffotohive participatory project worked with the Bread Art collective and directly engaged with members of the public by inviting them to go out across the city taking photographs. Hundreds of photographs were taken with cameras and smart phones from 6 ‘hive’ locations across the city and uploaded to the website.

This year Ffotogallery has begun exploring digital initiatives for fundraising with the use of Kickstarter to support the publication of Detroit based photographer Patricia Lay-Dorsey self-portraiture project Falling into Place. The organisation also become a member of DONATE, the UK national fundraising scheme. Although the focus of the scheme is to fundraise there are also opportunities to build audiences and widen networks.

All Ffotogallery publications are sold online through Cornerhouse and Amazon as well as direct from the gallery shop.

 Develop strategic partnerships focusing on sustaining national and international collaborative projects.

Ffotogallery remains committed to maintaining and building new partnerships and collaborations with local, national and international partners. As evidenced through the delivery of Diffusion, a wide range of public and private funders, media partners, sponsors and artistic collaborators enabled the inaugural event to have a significant impact.

5 c. Coming year’s activity and issues 14/15

The programme for 2014/15 includes the following exhibitions together with the ongoing projects;

Bedazzled – A Welshman in New York, part of the Dylan Thomas 100 Festival

Hidden Presence in partnership with Chepstow Museum

‘Day Dreaming about the Good Times’ – a retrospective of British photographer Paul Reas in partnership with Impressions Gallery, curated by Anne McNeil.

Wish you were here – this season will include a large group exhibition and four single artist presentations. A wide range of artists responded to the open call submission.

Tom Wood Landscapes – presentation of a major touring exhibition of previously unseen and unpublished photography works in partnership with Mostyn and Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

Corinne Silva’s Garden State – a premiere of a Ffotogallery commissioned exhibition and artist publication.

During October/November Ffotogallery will be collaborating with Artes Mundi on a special presentation of work as part of the city wide Cardiff Contemporary initiative.

Planning for the second Diffusion festival will also begin in earnest and conversations have already taken place with funders and potential partners and collaborators.

European Prospects - Ffotogallery will host three 2 month duration European artists residencies in Wales. There will also be two additional residencies in Toulouse and two in Kaunas Lithuania during this period. Ffotogallery will also host the European Prospects International symposium in Cardiff with invited arts and curators for the European Union.

6 3. The creation of artistic work

Ffotogallery remains committed to its four key artistic objectives which have been evidenced this year through the range of work delivered. The Director provides both strategic and artistic leadership and works in close partnership with the Head of Education, the Creative Producer and their respective teams to ensure that the organisation’s exhibition and education programme enhance the experience and opportunity for audiences and participants.

The Director plays a key role in advocating for the work of the organisation on both a national and international level. He is currently chair of VAGW (Visual Arts Galleries Wales). The Head of Education has recently been appointed a trustee of engage – the national organisation for gallery education.

The commissioning and production of new work is influenced by both the Director’s curatorial vision and the results of an open submission process. The organisation continues to support the careers of artists at different stages of practice. For example it has recently exhibited the work of Michal Iwanowski who first became involved with Ffotogallery ten years ago as a student and more recently as a tutor. Ffotogallery has been able to support the development of his creative practice.

Planning for the second Diffusion festival in 2015 is underway with the overall curatorial theme of ’Looking for America’. It is hoped that more ‘open call’ submissions and specific commissions for new work will be included to ensure that a wide range of photography and lens based media can be seen at the festival. A stronger focus for Diffusion will also help deepen the relationship with galleries and venues to develop a greater sense of ownership for all involved.

7 4. Audience and Participation

Attendance Figures 2011/12 2012/13 % Change Events Attendances Events Attendances Events Attendances

Exhibitions 12 37,200 10 11,970 -17% -68% Film Screenings 0 0 0 0 0% 0%

Performances by Touring Companies 0 0 0 0 0% 0%

Performances at Presenting Venues 0 0 0 0 0% 0% Total Attendances 12 37,200 10 11,970 -17% -68% Source: Arts Council of Wales Survey of Revenue Funded Organisations 2011/12 and 2012/13

Participation 2011/12 2012/13 % Change Figures Sessions Attendances Sessions Attendances Sessions Attendances

Children & Young People 48 1,215 77 1,022 60% -16% Open Access 480 8,600 560 6,906 17% -20% Targeted Sessions (BME, Disabled People) 40 420 60 631 50% 50% Total Participation 568 10,235 697 8,559 23% -16% Source: Arts Council of Wales Survey of Revenue Funded Organisations 2011/12 and 2012/13

The 2012/13 audience figures in the table above, which were taken from those originally submitted in the RFO survey, suggest a significant drop in attendances. However, the figures initially reported by Ffotogallery were incorrect due to an administrative error and the corrected figures were supplied in December 2014 in the annual review self-assessment report. Actual exhibition attendances for 2012/13 were 32,970, which indicates a -11% rather than -68% shift from the previous year. The total annual attendees/participants were 41,529 and the expenditure per attendee was £9.95, rather than the £19.53 suggested by the incorrect data. It is expected that figures will significantly increase in 2013/14 in both Participation and Audience numbers due to the biennial Diffusion festival, and the aim is to grow exhibition attendances in non-festival years through touring, outreach work and use of multiple sites.

8 Ffotogallery’s programme includes a range of both open access and targeted gallery events and activities including; artist talks, late night opening, tea and cake Tuesdays, family workshops as well as workshop for schools, colleges and groups.

Through the delivery of Diffusion, Ffotogallery has been able to build significant new audiences beyond its exhibition venue at Turner House. This experience is feeding into the programme development as the team learns from working in new contexts. The audience feedback and monitoring will be evaluated and will influence future programming.

9 5. Business development a. Financial Roundup

Financial Year 2011/12 2012/13 Total Incoming Resources (£) 365,100 450,147 ACW Revenue Funding (£) 205,000 205,000 ACW Project Funding (£) 27,750 98,000 ACW Revenue and Project Funding as a % of 64% 67% Total Incoming Resources Earned Income (£) 101,353 94,564 Earned Income as a % of Total Incoming 28% 21% Resources LA Funding (£) 10,511 12,511 LA Funding as % of Total Incoming Resources 3% 3% Total Expenditure (£) 372,398 400,950 Total Attendees/Participants 47,435 20,529 Source: Financial Information Supplied by Organisation b. Employment Figures

Employment Figures Full Time Part Time Volunteers Casual/Contract 2011/12 4 4 12 10 2012/13 5 5 72 1 Source: Arts Council of Wales Survey of Revenue Funded Organisations 2011/12 and 2012/13

Since the submission of these figures it has been announced that Cardiff Council will be withdrawing funding from a range of arts organisation across the city including Ffotogallery. Despite this, Ffotogallery continues to play a key role in the delivery of Cardiff Contemporary – the Council’s city wide visual arts initiative and has good relationships with a number of senior council staff. Although the funding cut is disappointing, Ffotogallery is in regular dialogue with Cardiff Council about how they may work together in the future.

The large rise in the number of volunteers reflects those recruited for the festival which took place in early 2013/14. The role of volunteers and interns cannot be underplayed and was a key part of its success. Ffotogallery recognises that having informed and approachable staff on hand during the exhibitions adds to the visitor experience. Many young artists and students value these opportunities to become involved and to gain experience. The festival attracted volunteers from across Wales and the South West, some of whom have gone on to be recruited to the Ffotogallery team.

10 The financial table evidences Ffotogallery’s capacity to attract and manage funds from a range of different sources. Figures for 2013/14 will include significant increase in incoming resources in light of the festival funding and the European funding. The priority over the coming months is to ensure that mechanisms and reporting processes are in place to support staff to deliver large scale projects.

6. Governance, management and finance

A board of trustees meets four to five times a year and members have a wide range of specialist knowledge and expertise. This has been further enhanced this year by the recruitment of new members Craig Stephenson, Steve Bright and Lisa Buckley.

Lisa Buckley has extensive experience as a fundraiser having previously worked for a range of organisations including Arts & Business as Business and Development Manager. She is currently Head of Individual Giving for the charity Tenovus.

Craig Stephenson and Steve Bright were identified through Arts & Business’ board bank scheme. Craig Stephenson has worked for many years as a civil servant and is currently Chief Advisor to the Presiding Officer at the National Assembly. Steve Bright is a Team Leader at Confused.com and has an IT and business background with experience of management analysis and PR.

This year the board is keen to review formally the implementation of the staffing review conducted in 2011/12. The appointment of a Creative Producer and Courses and Facilities Programmer has clearly enhanced the work of the organisation this year. They are still to recruit a permanent Marketing and Communications Manager. The role and responsibilities of this post will be updated following a brand and marketing development consultancy to be delivered by Jane Wentworth Associates.

This year the board also agreed to update the Memorandum and Articles bringing them into line with the Company’s current business. As a membership organisation a sub-group of the board has been updating the terms for members including new opportunities for patrons and sponsors which will be implemented this year.

11 Ffotogallery remains focussed on its long term aim of securing integrated city centre premises, and is part of the Chapter Alliance that includes fellow residents, Theatr Iolo and Earthfall. A feasibility study is underway and Chapter has appointed a Project Manager to support the group through this phase of development. He is currently working with the partner organisations to develop the briefs for the appointment of architects and business consultants.

7. Partnerships

As the programme of work during 2013/14 illustrates, collaboration and partnership is integral to Ffotogallery’s approach. Anyone who has attended a Ffotogallery event or read a publication will not fail to notice the logos of numerous sponsors, partners and co-funders. The organisation successfully secured a range of support from media partners Aesthetica and Photomonitor alongside grants and local sponsors. The festival has also enabled the organisation to secure an ongoing relationship with the Welsh Government’s Major Events Unit.

The success of Diffusion lay not only its ability to secure funding from a range of sources but also its ability to manage a wide range of gallery/venue partners and artistic collaborators. As noted above, 15 galleries and venues across the city hosted exhibitions and the strong brand identity ensured that all partners benefitted from this profile and marketing. The marketing was recognised by CANMOL the Wales Marketing Awards 2013 with Ffotogallery winning in the Arts Heritage and Creative Industries section.

Though its education work Ffotogallery continue to have strong working relationships with the WJEC and Cardiff Metropolitan University. The outreach work for Hidden Presence has also seen new relationships develop with schools across the greater Gwent area and the youth offending teams. Ffotogallery also worked in partnership with Aberystwyth University, University of Glamorgan and Trinity St David to deliver the festival symposium.

12 8. Equalities

Ffotogallery’s education and outreach programme includes a wide range of both open access and targeted participatory work. This year they have continued to target working with family audiences and the over 60s and delivered courses for unemployed and recently redundant adults returning to work through ReACT, the Welsh Government’s Redundancy Action Scheme. The organisation also delivers a programme of weekly courses for people suffering from mental health problems. The Mind’s Eye classes provide opportunities for the group to benefit from working with a practising photographer, to meet together, build confidence while developing a creative skill.

Ffotogallery is also committed to ensuring that its courses remain affordable and competitive. It recognises the need to ensure that the printing and darkroom facilities are of the highest quality.

9. Concluding comments

Ffotogallery continues to assert itself as a dynamic and energetic organisation and this year again has demonstrated its capacity to deliver high quality demanding projects.

Through careful and thorough planning, Ffotogallery successfully delivered the inaugural Diffusion festival making a clear and confident statement to the wider arts sector and stakeholders of its ability to create a distinct cultural event in the capital city.

Engagement and participation continue to be strengthened and Ffotogallery is strengthening its position to respond to the Arts and Education agenda. High quality projects delivered in 2013 are a credit to the organisation’s expertise and strategic partnership development work. Focus should now be given to ensure the value and impact of this work is shared with key stakeholders.

The delivery of the multi-disciplinary project Bedazzled – A Welshman in New York, is a key opportunity in 2014 to further broaden reach both here in Wales and internationally through the Dylan Thomas 100 festival. International activities in Wales, including the residencies and the conference as part of European Prospects and collaboration with Artes Mundi will provide a critical meeting point to build new international connections for the sector in Wales.

13 Targets this year include delivering committed projects as well as preparing and securing partnerships and vital investment for Diffusion 2015. It will also be important to map out opportunities beyond the current two year EU funded project.

The long term challenge is to ensure that resources are in place to maintain capacity to deliver exceptional, high quality projects, maximise audiences and continue to enhance the reputation of the festival and Ffotogallery as a highly valued and sought after partner. We look forward to working with Ffotogallery to achieve its targets and further its work.

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