CTL 2537 Fundamentals of Arts and Cultural Management
Group 5 Project Presentation
Non-profit Organization : Fringe Club
Group Members:
Chau Man Chi, Eva 53093190 Chung Lai, Angel 53370307 Chung Sin Ki, Stephy 53478341 Ho Kwok Ching, Eve 53454183 Leu Morrison Kwok Tao 53347598 Lo Kit Yu, Vicky 52943097 Lai Wing Yan, Vanessa 52915302 Goals
• To investigate how the Fringe Club sustain
• To find out whether the organization can achieve its goals or not
Agenda
• Introduction (Eve) • Evolution of Fringe Club (Eve) • Venues and events (Vanessa) • Promotion (Angel) • Source of income (Morrison, Vicky, Eva) • Conclusion (Stephy)
The Hong Kong Fringe Club
• Founded at 1984
• Located at 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
• A non-profit arts organisation
• A vibrant contemporary arts space
• Offer rent-free facilities for exhibitions and performances to both emerging and professional artists in Hong Kong and from overseas The Hong Kong Fringe Club
• Provide an open platform for the arts where performers and artists can show their work without having to go through selection process
• Neither pass judgment nor impose censorship on artists’ works
• Freedom of expression ↓ Invariably associates with the pleasure of creating, showing and enjoying the arts Board & Management
Board of Directors Chairman Wailee Chow Hon Treasurer Anson Chan Members Antony Szeto Chairman Wailee Chow,Wu Chi Wai, Douglas Young, Paul T.K. Young Hon Legal Advisors Stevenson, Wong & Co Hon Auditors Li, Tang, Chen & Co
Management Director Benny Chia Administrator Catherine Lau Office Manager Yvonne Tsang Club Manager Kathy Chan Club Supervisor Willish So Programme Programme Organiser Connie Yeung Front-of-House Co-ordinator Grace Chow, Jo Jo Hung
Backstage Technical Manager Fong Lai Ming Technician Wong Ping Hang Bar Supervisor April Ip Chef Pumin Prondit Cook Poodton Pornsuang Assistant Cook Natthida Chung House Keeper Ma Sau Mui Helper Lei Keng Fong Vision & Mission
• To help artists to get started and continue to develop their skills
• To promote Hong Kong arts and artists abroad through cultural exchange and overseas touring
• To create an environment that delights in the appreciation and enjoyment of the arts Vision & Mission
• To weave arts into the fabrics of our society
• To uphold freedom of expression as a tenet for an open and cultured city
• To engage with our community through learning, sharing and discussion Achievements of Fringe Club
• Presented 28 festivals
• Arranged 62 tours in 15 cities
• Hosted 67 residencies
• Held 1,400 exhibitions, 3,230 community outreach events, 1,900 live-music shows, 8,150 stage performances and numerous overseas presentations, most recently at the Shanghai Expo 2010 and the 54th Venice Biennale 2011
Site
- Grade I historic building
- Built in 1892
- A low-rise brick and stucco building
- Include a dairy shop, a room for meat smoking, a cold storage room for winter clothes and residency for the General Manager
Site
• Conservation: - In the early 1970’s, Dairy Farm traded the site for some land in the New Territories with the Government → Disused, gutted, cracked up
- In 1983, helpers of the Fringe Festival borrowed it from original lease-holder (an association of senior government officials) → Repaired and being used for the festival
Site
• Conservation:
- After the festival, supposed to turn into an exclusive social clubhouse
- Helpers talked those government officials into giving up this site
- In 1984, became the site of the Fringe Club
- In 2001, won the Hong Kong Government Heritage Award
From Fringe Festival to City Festival
Fringe Festival (1983-1997) City Festival (1999 – now)
• Freedom of Expression • Focus on urban culture
• The handover caused a loss of • A platform for cultural exchange interest in Hong Kong as a cultural destination • No real site restriction • A big drop in the number of acts, especially those coming from overseas
Venues and facilities
1 gallery
• Anita Chan Lai-ling Gallery
2 theatres
• Fringe Underground • Fringe Upstairs
3 restaurants
• Fringe Vault • Fringe Dairy • Colette’s (Coming soon) Anita Chan Lai-ling Gallery
• Transformed from a garage
• Where exhibitions are held
• Showing contemporary work by Hong Kong and international artists Anita Chan Lai-ling Gallery
2 exhibitions held in the gallery in November
A collection of photo essays and Paintings and sculptures videos created by students from the reflecting issues of modern Chinese University of Hong Kong urban life by Winnie Siu Davies
Observation
“Members only” signage at the entrance
• Visitors are confused
• May discourage general public from visiting the gallery
Observation
Little information offered at the reception counter
• Staff knows little about the club
• Only entertain people who buy tickets and those who want to become their members
Observation
Only few people visit the gallery
• Usually look through the glass doors but seldom go in
• Most of the people are audience waiting for entering the theatre Fringe Underground
• Around 70 seats
• Designed for creative experimentation
• Provides basic sound and lighting equipment
Observation
Performances are of various subject matters
• Attract different kinds of audience
• People are usually those who are in the “circle”
Crossing Borders with Indian Dance Sandvolution Spoken Light Observation
A space for performing groups that have tight budget
• No site cost for public show
• Any people can perform on the stage Fringe Vault
• Around 40 seats
• A space for book launch, pop-up craft stores, poetry or play reading
• A coffee and sandwich counter for audience and casual visitors Fringe Vault
Play Reading - Hong Kong Hamlet
Draw Me Draw You
Shaping the Philosophy Cafe Landscape 2013 , Lam Tsuen, Tai Po Observation
Many events happening at the same time
• Some of the customers are annoyed
• Difficult to focus on a particular event
Observation
Difficult to see the photos hanging on the walls
• Tables and chairs are placed next the walls
• Only able to look at the photos when no one is sitting there
Observation
Magazines and leaflets about cultural events are offered
• Placed on a shelf that is not obviously seen
How Fringe Club promote itself?
1. Website
2. Social network • Facebook • Instagram • Weibo (微博） • Blog
To hit different audience Website 1. Official website involve :
- Background information - Events - Projects - Service - Venues
Give a brief introduction about the Fringe club Give a clear picture of what events are going on
Social network - Facebook Past events Upcoming Events
Past events’ videos Upcoming events’ promotion videos Social network –Instagram
Events: Wilson Shieh book launch Social network – Weibo Social network - Blog Why use these social medias? • Hit different audience
- Website: Public those groups or people that want to use the facilities provided by the club
- Social network: People interested in the organizations and art events.
• Complement each other - One way communication (website) Deliver content but audiences cannot participate in the creation or development of the content
- Two way communication(social network) Deliver information and interacts with audiences Build tight relationship through two way interaction
How Fringe Club promote the events organized in its art space? • Fringe club's official website
• Social network - Facebook - Instagram - Weibo - Blog
• Put leaflets in Fringe Vault - Take freely
• Stick posters on the notice board & the wall of Fringe Vault
SPONSORSHIP AND DONATIONS Major Sponsors and Donators
1. Hong Kong Art Development Council
2. Hong Kong Jockey Club
3. Bloomberg Philanthropies
Hong Kong Art Development Council Grant
Procedures in applying grant: 1. Submit application and proposal 2. Get assessed by ADC examiners from related art form group 3. Get notified
Upon succeed application… • A project report with auditor report should be handed in after the end of the project within three months
Hong Kong Art Development Council Grant
The Fringe Club had successfully applied for…
• One Year Grant - 7/2011 - 6/2012 $400,000
• Two Year Grant - 7/2009 – 6/2011 $550,000
No/ Unsuccessful application for sponsorship in 2013 Hong Kong Art Development Council Sponsorship
• Support Fringe club to launch an Overseas Exhibition Internship Programme in 2011
- Five young artists and administrators were selected to take part in The Venice Biennale (Visual Arts)
- A six-week internship programme (This year HKADC is co-operating with M+) Hong Kong Jockey Club
• City festival 2009,2010 (乙城節) - Provide venues for exhibition and performances
• Donated 24 million in 2006 for renovating the building and building the theatre How To Apply
Documents needed in applying grant: • Project proposal • Budget report • Audited accounts of the organization • Membership list of Board of Management Committee of the organization
Bloomberg Philanthropies
• Works with existing partners on all of their key initiatives
• Grant proposals are by invitation only
• Do not accept unsolicited grant proposals Events sponsored by Bloomberg in HK
• Bloomberg Emerging Artists Programme
- Bloomberg Emerging Artist Award 2010-2013 (co-operated with Youth Art Foundation) Bloomberg Digital Arts Initiative 2013
- Bloomberg Emerging Artist Award 2007 (co-operated with Sino group, land property company)
Form(s) of co-operation (with Fringe Club)
• No information found
• Assumption: - Abundant social capital owned by Fringe Club (by its board of directors) - Gained from larger events it curate/organized/ co-organized/ participated as any other roles E.g. Venice Biennale
Discussion question
• Is it ‘appropriate’ for an art related NPO to get funding from an enterprise?
- The ‘essence of art’ critical and independent or visually/ aesthetically appealing
- Art as a tool to make more profit
Case Study
Art as a medium to expand business
- Nomura Securities (野村證券)
- Largest securities company in Japan
- Sponsored two Royal National Theatre’s (UK) production during its Europe tour in Prague in Budapest in 1991
- Gained commission from Czech and Hungarian government with the help of the playwright of the productions
- Got its business expanded to Czech
MEMBERSHIP Membership
• Individual: $600/year New join: + $300 • Organizations: $1200/year
• Students: $100/year
• Couples: $900/year
• Life: $3500 VENUE HIRING/ TICKETING Venue Hiring
Theatre(s): Fringe Underground, Fringe Upstairs
Gallery: Anita Chan Lai-ling Gallery
Restaurant(s): Fringe Vault, Colette’s
Fringe Underground & Fringe Upstairs
• Public Show (ticketing) - NO site cost
- 30% to Fringe Club; 70% to the organizer
- Other charges (e.g. promotion, Cityline, wireless microphone, etc.)
- Proposal required
• Private Show/ Party (NO ticketing) - $8000/4 hours
Anita Chan Lai-ling Gallery
• Normal hiring - $2000/day
• Free line-up - NO site cost
- Full booking until 2015
- At least 80% art works for sale (share the profit by 3:7 ratio)
- Other charges (e.g. Visa service charge)
- Price of the art pieces are set up by the organizers (Fringe Club may adjust the price)
Fringe Vault & Colette's
• Free of charge
• More time slots available for exhibition
• Art works to be hang on the wall in the café
• A day of Public Launch/ opening session
• E.g. Shaping the Landscape 2013 , Lam Tsuen, Tai Po by HKU, Faculty of Architecture • No restrictions to unexperienced artists - Fresh graduates - Students
• Flexible arrangements - Exhibition in the café - Other adjustment depends on the proposal
DINING SERVICES We need $15,000,000 to operate the Fringe Club each year. Deduct the $500,000 subsidy granted by Hong Kong Arts Development Council, ticketing and dining services overs all of the cost. - Benny Chia Founder & Director, The Fringe Club • Types of services: - Brunch, Buffet Lunch, Drinks, Snacks
• Opening hours - Mon – Sat 10am – 10pm
• Restaurants: - Fringe Dairy, Colette’s (Fringe Roof Garden) and Fringe Vault
Fringe Roof Garden The Fringe Roof Garden is an extension of the Fringe Club‘s Fotogalerie. People can first go to the Fotogalerie appreciating the photography exhibits by local artists and then having a set vegetarian buffet offered by the Roof Garden, enjoying the delicious food and to aftertaste the gallery or vice versa. You can go to the gallery before, between, or after your meal. The Fringe Roof Garden is aiming to let audiences no need to leave their busy time to go to a gallery, but provide an art space where they can enjoy the meal and art at the same time. Colette’s Colette’s is being designed to provide an informal setting for the display of photography. It also provides a social space for artists to meet, give talks, and conduct business. Consistent with the other facilities in the Fringe Club, its design is to fully integrate with everyday life. It is where members can enjoy the arts over a drink. It is named to commemorate Colette Koo, actress and multi-talented artist. The Fringe Club needs dining facilities to retain audience. Most audience come and watch shows after work, it is understandable to have some place for them to eat and take a rest. - Benny Chia Founder & Director, The Fringe Club Story of Studio on the roof
What a pity that they (Fringe Club) keep saying that they lack spaces for office, using the same excuse to move other resident art workshop out of the building.
- Wong Yan Kwai Artist, Former tutor of the Studio on the Roof Story of the Pottery Workshop
Under the guise of art promotion to make money.
- Caroline Cheng Founder of the Pottery Workshop Art Space vs. Restaurant
Art Space Restaurant - Living space for artist - Sustain the development of the Fringe Club - Space for artist to directly communicate with the - Retain the audience audience
Should Fringe Club include commercial facilities ?
Government Property Agency:
According to the Tenancy Agreement, the Fringe Club can only be used as a non-profit space to promote art creation.
The proportion of commercial facilities to art space ?
Role of art related NPO
• Making the meaning of art/art form more diverse./ ‘importing’ more art form to HK - E.g contemporary a cappella
• Can Fringe club achieved these goals? ROLE AND IMPACT OF FRINGE CLUB • Offer rent-free facilities for exhibitions and performances
• Open platform for the arts in Hong Kong
• Nurture young, inexperienced artists Controversies/Criticism
• Rely too much on sponsorship & donation?
• Fringe Club is no longer about “Fringe”? (How to define fringe when there is no mainstream in HK)
Origin of Edinburgh Festival Fringe
• “Our story dates back to 1947, when eight theatre groups turned up uninvited to perform at the (then newly formed) Edinburgh International Festival, an initiative created to celebrate and enrich European cultural life in the wake of the Second World War.
Not being part of the official programme of the International festival didn’t stop these performers – they just went ahead and staged their shows anyway. Year on year more and more performers followed their example and in 1958 the Festival Fringe Society was created in response to the success of this growing trend.” Resident Theatre Company Project
• IN THE PAST…
1) Studio on the Roof
2) Fringe Mime and Movement Laboratory
3) The Pottery Workshop Failed its mission & vision?
• Offers the rent-free facilities for exhibition and performances To help artists to get started and continue to develop their skills
• Guarantees no selection/ censorship on artworks To uphold freedom of expression as a tenet for an open and cultured city
• Accomplishments in festivals, tours, residencies, performances, exhibitions, etc. To promote Hong Kong arts and artists abroad through cultural exchange and overseas touring
• How about these? - To create an environment that delights in the appreciation and enjoyment of the arts - To weave arts into the fabrics of our society - To engage with our community through learning, sharing and discussion
Discussion Questions
1. What challenges do you think that Fringe Club is facing?
2. Should Fringe Club give up the ‘rental free policy’, if they cannot sustain by current operation mode?