Annual Review 2014 - 2015

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Macrobert Arts Centre, University of , Stirling, FK9 4LA Macrobert Arts Centre is a charity registered in , No: SC0039546 www.macrobertartscentre.org ‘It was wonderful to watch the reaction and participation of the children at the performance.’ CORNTON NURSERY - THE PINE TREE, POGGLE AND ME About Macrobert Arts Centre

Macrobert Arts Centre serves Stirling and the Forth Valley with a diverse programme of live and film entertainment; and opportunities that enable over 10,000 people to learn, to create, and to perform in our theatres and in communities.

We support artists to develop award-winning work that tours Scotland, the UK and abroad and are the only multi-arts centre in Scotland to be based on a university campus - affording unique opportunities to enrich the student experience and to collaborate with academia.

We receive key funding from Creative Scotland and the University of Stirling, but as a charity we must also raise 70% of our income from other sources, especially philanthropic support. Macrobert depends on this in order to continue to deliver a vibrant performance and participation programme for the region and we’re grateful to the grant organisations, companies, individuals and all of our customers for their support.

2014 / 15 in Numbers

5% more visitors to the Mainhouse and Playhouse Studio (from 56,412 to 59,345)

9% more screenings in the Filmhouse (from 926 to 1,006)

12% increase in the number of creative learning participation events (from 472 to 527)

20% more creative learning events

3 new productions

10 visual art exhibitions

12,599 people saw our work on tour across the UK ‘Macrobert has firmly established its own proud tradition of Panto with a modern twist.’ FALKIRK HERALD - ALADDIN Review of 2014 / 15

2014 / 15 has been an incredibly busy There were also visits by the world renowned Michael year for Macrobert Arts Centre. Our Clark Company, All Or Nothing Aerial Dance Theatre, Scottish Opera with Dominic Hill’s acclaimed production venue - an independent charitable of Macbeth, Ballet West’s Romeo and Juliet, the organisation based at the University Quartet and Company Chordelia with Dance . of Stirling - welcomed 161,267 visitors to its dynamic mix of performances, Our programme also celebrated several festivals, including Let’s Dance in April 2014. As a regional hub for the national film screenings, exhibitions and campaign to get more people dancing, we programmed a creative learning events. This was mix of dance for adults and children. This included a site an increase of 19,494 on the specific performance in Stirling, involving urban dance and parkour, plus a Big Dance Day at Macrobert Arts Centre previous year. with pop-up performances, workshops and movies.

Our achievements were recognised in October 2014 when We continued to attract some of the UK’s top comedy stars Creative Scotland awarded us a new round of three year - including visits by Alan Carr, Danny Bhoy, Craig Campbell, funding to continue our inspiring and engaging programme Daniel Sloss and Craig Hill. of arts activity. Macrobert also presented a wide range of shows for Macrobert Arts Centre continues to attract the widest children and families - over the year, there were visits variety of companies to fill its stages, welcoming 20 from The Adventures Of Robin Hood, Children’s Classic theatre productions in 2014 / 15 - over 30% more than the Concerts, Catherine Wheel’s multi award-winning White, previous year - ranging from classic theatre to new writing. The Singing Kettle, Unicorn Theatre, The Adventures of Highlights included plays by John Byrne, David Greig, Alvin Sputnik: Deep Seas Explorer, Birdsnest, Tall Stories’ John Godber, David Leddy and David Harrower; with visits Emily Brown and The Thing and Ipdip’s Head In from the National Theatre of Scotland - celebrating Ivor The Clouds. Cutler - and Scottish companies including Fire Exit, Vanishing Point, Borderline Theatre Company, Iron-Oxide Our cinema programme continues to go from strength to and Firebrand. Acclaimed actor David Hayman appeared in strength, with the number of screenings increasing by 9% The Pitiless Storm direct from the Edinburgh Fringe, whilst year on year and attracting over 36,000 visitors. Event Bard in the Botanics performed The Comedy of Errors cinema continues to grow, with screenings of performances as part of the British Shakespeare Association 2015 by The National Theatre, Royal Opera House, English conference hosted by the University of Stirling. There were National Opera and Shakespeare’s Globe. We are updating also performances of Lewis Grassic Gibbons’ Sunset Song, the projection and sound equipment in the Filmhouse over the Reduced Shakespeare Company, Robert Softley’s If the Summer of 2015 and installing a second screen in the These Spasms Could Speak and Ramesh Meyyappan’s Playhouse Studio. The operation of two screens will allow adaptation of Madame Butterfly. the venue to programme a wider mix of films all year round. Creative Learning

Our Creative Learning Team had an We also linked up with a number of regional and national exceptionally busy year, increasing initiatives: Africa in Motion (screenings), Doors Open Day (tours and making), Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing community opportunities and Festival (2 standalone screenings), Scottish Book Week expanding activities so that more (introduction and discussion around film adaptations), people of all ages could take part in Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, the Scottish the arts in our theatres, cinema and Paranormal Festival and Roald Dahl Day (screening Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory followed by a making arts spaces. workshop for children).

We are continuing to develop progression routes for young BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS people, diversify opportunities so that more people can enjoy the arts and remove barriers so that marginalised TO THE ARTS people can take part in the arts. Read on for an overview Our 2014 Christmas Appeal was supported by generous of activity in 2014 / 15. individuals and companies so that 810 children and families, supported by 14 charities could enjoy an outing to Aladdin, with a free ice-cream courtesy of Mackie’s of CLASSES, PROJECTS & EVENTS Scotland. Charities included Aberlour Trust, Action for Our Youth Dance and Theatre Companies, Film Crew, Book Children, WISH, Stirling Young and Adult Carers, PLUS, Group and Keep Dancing class were joined this year by a Stirling Women’s Aid, Start Up Stirling and Film Discussion group, Film Evening courses for adults, Strathcarron Hospice. Visual Arts Study Days (in partnership with the University of Stirling), Art Adventures for children (P3, 4, 5), Art Club ‘Thank you to everyone for helping me and (P6, P7), a second Film Crew and Focus on Film - a group my family go to the Panto… I felt that my for children to discuss film, and Inclusive Dance and disability had flown away’ Drama Classes.

A programme of contextualised events helped audiences understand the creative process - including collaborations with the University of Stirling Mathematics Department (The Imitation Game), the University Art Collection (Holocaust Memorial Day for P6/7 pupils) and with Scottish Opera (Macbeth). BRINGING COMMUNITIES CLOSER NEW CREATIVE VOICES The Commonwealth Community Arts Showcase brought In January 2015 we embarked on New Creative Voices, people from different communities across the Forth Valley a two year project designed to build confidence and together. It provided an opportunity for 191 people to share communication skills amongst marginalised young people their dance, drama, music and visual art with each other aged 8 to 18 years. Through this project we’re delivering and with an audience of 373 people. Participant groups drama projects in community settings that lead towards included Man Up and Dance, 71 Dancers, Clydeside Reel performances in Macrobert Arts Centre’s professional Performers, Indepen-dance, and Townbreak Centre for spaces - supporting young people who are talented, people with dementia and their carers, Big Noise and or interested in drama, to engage with the opportunities Macrobert’s Youth Dance and Youth Theatre groups. on offer within our Arts Centre. All this is made possible by funding from Big Lottery Young Start. OPENING DOORS TO THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES We also embarked on monthly Dementia Friendly Days, offering people with dementia and their assisting We’re committed to offering high quality work experiences companions the chance to enjoy the arts in a friendly, for young people interested in a career in the creative safe and welcoming environment. industries. In 2014 / 15 this included experience in the following roles - Assistant Director, Community Artist ‘It’s a lifesaver!’ ASSISTING COMPANION and Visual Art Workshop Leader - opportunities within the wardrobe department and the chance to exhibit in our gallery space.

Director Jenna Watt worked with the Macrobert Young Company to produce Stef Smith’s play Remote as part of the National Theatre’s Connection Programme. Stef, who won a Laurence Olivier Award in 2012 for her play Roadkill, was also a member of Macrobert Youth Theatre. ‘This was an exceptional afternoon-to-evening’s entertainment that provided inspiration, not only to find out more about the history of Scotland, Europe and beyond, but perhaps more importantly to talk to each other, listen to each other and to share experiences, stories and memories across the generations.’ JULIE BLENDEL, EDINBURGHGUIDE.COM - TALES OF A GRANDSON Productions & On Tour

Macrobert Arts Centre is an award- Theatre in Edinburgh. Andy Cannon, Wendy Wetherby, winning co-producer of exciting and Barrowland Ballet and a community cast took audiences on a fast and fun trip through Scotland’s history. accessible work for all ages. We take our work to schools and nurseries Our much praised production of Titus continued to tour, across the Forth Valley, as well as two years after it was seen at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe theatres, arts centres and festivals Festival. Jan Sobrie’s play, in a version by Oliver Emmanuel, was described as ‘completely compelling theatre’ by in the UK. The Scotsman. In 2014 it was staged in Bath, York and London (Tricycle Theatre); toured the Highlands and was 2014 / 15 saw the creation of three new productions, the invited to the International Performing Arts for Youth Christmas Pantomime Aladdin, Tales Of A Grandson and Festival in America. The Pine Tree, Poggle and Me (a dance theatre piece for ages 3 we created in partnership with Barrowland Ballet). 2014 was also a good year for penguins. Too Many Pine Tree played at Macrobert in December 2014, followed Penguins? played 50 shows across the UK before settling by 10 performances in local nurseries (Cornton, East down for Christmas at Macrobert Arts Centre where it was Plean, Sauchie, Raploch, Alloa) supported by Big Lottery seen by 2,700 people over its run. Awards for All and then a short tour of Scotland in February 2015. We are also grateful to Forestry Another of our co-productions - Polar Bears Go Wild - Commission Scotland for sponsorship support. spent January 2015 at the prestigious Unicorn Theatre in London, followed by a UK tour that took it from Brighton Tales Of A Grandson - produced by Macrobert Arts to Aberdeen. Centre and Andy Cannon in association with the Scottish International Storytelling Festival - was a time travelling adventure, performed at the Arts Centre as part of our Mini Festival About Family and also at the Traverse At the heart of the University of Stirling

The University of Stirling owns and Over the last year we’ve hosted almost 90 University maintains the Macrobert building and school and departmental events. These include everything from providing lecture space in both the Mainhouse and is committed to supporting a thriving Playhouse Studio, to space for meetings, performances, and vibrant Arts Centre at the heart conferences and training. Performances have included of the campus. Macrobert Arts Centre writer Janice Galloway, literary festival ‘Bloody Scotland’ and a concert by the Edinburgh Quartet - the is a key strand of the University of University’s resident quartet. Stirling's cultural offering and campus life and provides an unique Macrobert has also been the venue for high profile events platform for the University to engage such as the ‘British Shakespeare Conference’; ‘Challenging Everyday Sexism’, ‘Narrating Devolution’ and with its local community. ‘Women In Sport’. The Arts Centre is also a key venue for Open Days and Applicant Days, seeing thousands of Students access a diverse arts programme of theatre, prospective pupils come through its doors comedy, opera, music, dance and cinema - supported by a range of discounted tickets - making up to 44% of the We work with academic schools to host events and audience for certain events. Students can get the lowest collaborate on research projects. This has included a priced of all our cinema tickets with a £5.50 ticket seminar involving WithScotland and the School of available for most live theatre and dance shows Education, promoting the use of arts-based research and how this can be applied to support those working with We work closely with the Students Union, hosting almost childhood neglect and its consequences. Macrobert is also 40 Student Union Clubs and Societies events per year and used by the School of Arts & Humanities to host regular running tours to showcase the Arts Centre’s facilities. screenings for film students and its final year conference. These include events by Air TV, SUDS (Stirling University Drama Society); Dance SU: Politics Society; Biology; Law Our Creative Learning Team have worked in partnership Society and the Manga and Anime Society, to name a few. with staff from the University to deliver classes on Nordic Macrobert welcomes student promoters and provides cinema and ‘An Introduction to the Western’. We also them with a unique set of professional facilities to rehearse screened films to complement the University’s Anne and perform in. We’ve also joined forces with the Student Frank exhibition as part of Holocaust Memorial. Union to host Freshers’ Week events, on social media activities and to jointly promote shows. The facilities at Macrobert Arts Centre are regularly used as part of the University’s conferencing operation, providing We employ four graduates full-time, have a graduate on valuable additional space. We work closely with the the Board of Directors, employ students within our Box Commercial Services Team as well, providing a 468 Office and Front of House teams and have set up a seat theatre space - the largest on campus and extra partnership with the University Careers Development breakout and meeting spaces. Centre - this saw a second year marketing student working on our Dementia Friendly live events programme. Our Finance

Macrobert Arts Centre is an independent charitable organisation that serves Stirling and the Forth Valley. We are pleased to report a small unrestricted profit for the third year running, which has been achieved by managing our limited income streams and cost cutting. However, we continue to address a historical negative reserves position.

We are delighted that Creative Scotland recognised our achievements and awarded the Arts Centre three year funding to continue its diverse arts programme. However, in order to bridge the gap between programme costs and ticket sales and to continue our work on widening access to the arts we must continue to raise funds from other sources, with philanthropic support becoming increasingly important.

Income £1.716m

Ticket Sales Creative Scotland Donations, Grants University 37% 24% & Sponsorship of Stirling 18% 12%

Facility Hire 6% Creative Learning 2% Other 1% Expenditure £1.783m

Programme Building, Utilities & Management & Marketing 53% Overheads Admin Staff 8% 14% 8%

Creative Learning 8% Production & Technical Costs 7% Fundraising costs 2% Our Supporters

As a charity Macrobert Arts Centre receives key funding from Creative Scotland and the University of Stirling. However, the Arts Centre depends on philanthropic income in order to continue to deliver a vibrant performance and participation programme for the region and we’d like to thank our funders, supporters and sponsors whose vision and generosity help to support us.

Patron Bronze Trusts & Grant Funders Gordon & Alice Stewart Robertson Taylor W&P Longreach Creative Scotland Alec & Lynne Carstairs Archers Sleep Centre University of Stirling Kate Smithson ASM Recovery Celebrate - The Big Lottery Rotary Club of Grangemouth Communities and Families Fund - Platinum Supporters: Danielle Ward The Big Lottery Bank of Scotland Susan Holden Garfield Weston Foundation Lynn Wilkinson Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust Gold Supporters: JTH Charitable Trust Clark Electronics Supporters The MacRobert Trust Stirling Rotary Club Thomas Walsh The Robertson Trust Ally Baird Building & Roofing Services Kathleen Orr Souter Charitable Trust Nick Reed, NTN Consulting Jim Couser Young Start -The Big Lottery Ruth Burgess Silver Supporters: Shona Forest Sponsors Ian & Kerry Bryson David Syme Mackie’s of Scotland Tom & Janice Ward Hazel Anderson The Forestry Commission Scotland NuStar Terminals, Grangemouth Janet Marshall Central Produce Ltd Ian Whyte Dunblane School of Highland Dance Projects on Track Falkirk Language Club Ian Galloway Dr Richard Simpson MSP Margaret Aitken Kwikfence Ltd Bill Stirling

And all anonymous supporters

Macrobert Arts Centre University of Stirling Stirling Scotland FK9 4LA Telephone: +44 (0)1786 467155 Web: www.macrobertartscentre.org Email: [email protected] macrobert arts centre limited is a Scottish charity, no SC039546