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← Activate Performing Arts

2025-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1069622 (England and Wales) Company registration number 03439777

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees T Irwin M Oliver S St George R Headley R Gotobed P Wilson T Bell S Chisholm Charity number (England and Wales) 1069622 Company number 03439777 Registered office 7-9 The Little Keep Barrack Road Dorchester DT1 1SQ Independent examiner Rowlands Webster Limited Austin House 43 Poole Road Bournemouth Dorset England BH4 9DN

(Appointed 19 February 2025) (Appointed 18 August 2025) (Appointed 18 August 2025)

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 11
Independent examiner's report 13
Statement of financial activities 12
Balance sheet 14
Statement of cash flows 17
Notes to the financial statements 15 - 21

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".

Objectives and activities

Activate Performing Arts, Sparking Possibility

Live performance has the power to fire the imagination, uplift and connect us. It creates moments that touch hearts and minds like nothing else. It makes memories that last lifetimes.

We exist to promote, support and produce performing arts projects in our communities. Bringing world-class events to unexpected places, like town centres, village squares, beaches and hilltops.

Our aim is to break down barriers and reach the widest possible audiences, while celebrating our natural landscape and sense of place. Supporting our performing arts community is at the heart of everything we do. We bring people together, offer advice, and provide access to learning and resources.

For over 30 years, we’ve been promoting, supporting and producing some of the most extraordinary events in the

UK.

In everything we do, we have just two rules. Anything’s possible. And everyone’s invited.

OUR VISION: extraordinary moments connect and uplift us all.

OUR MISSION: to create opportunities for everyone through the performing arts.

OUR PURPOSE:

Artistic talent : we enable outstanding artists in the performing arts to create inspiring work.

Togetherness : we strengthen communities through shared experiences that are remembered and talked about for

decades.

Opportunity : we break down barriers that stop people getting involved in performing arts, be that rural isolation, ill health, social deprivation or other obstacles.

Place : we celebrate our natural landscape and sense of place.

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

OBJECTIVES

  1. Extraordinary Events in Extraordinary Places – showcasing our specialism in protected landscapes.

  2. Community Engagement - working with artists to deliver an engagement programme with communities.

  3. A Co-programming Pilot - develop a co-programming strand of work for the festival.

  4. A Schools Engagement Programme - work with schools as part of the area’s cultural education partnership.

  5. A Children and Young People’s Engagement Programme – diverse, inclusive, and collaborative.

  6. A Talent Development Programme – a programme to support creatives in performing arts.

  7. A Touring and Co-presenting Programme – producer for Working Boys Club, Sense of Unity & Chair of DTPC.

  8. A Strategic Engagement Programme – partnering and collaborating for greater impact.

  9. International partnerships – to strengthen our programmes.

The focus of our Inside Out Dorset festival are themes of landscape, unity, climate emergency, migration. Our work with audiences is focussed on inclusivity.

ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2025

We have had a very successful year, delivering programmes across the county region and also nationally with a significant partnership with the National Landscapes Association and our touring offer.

Our reach has therefore increased, and our impact widened. The following statistics show the extent of our delivery and the report that follows details the activity. The success of the programme has been down to the quality of the team, the partners, the artists we have worked with and the good governance.

Our year in statistics.

115,085 estimated audience attendances*

2 Premieres 4 new productions supported 30,000 estimated digital audience 4 films produced 1 exhibition in shop windows 728 workshops & artists’ advice sessions *includes digital audience

14,748 attendances at workshops/sessions 14 artists’ commissions 4 artist residencies 99 artists, producers & technicians employed 123 performances presented 27 volunteers who gave 252 hours 16,900 unique web visitors

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

PROGRAMME DETAILS INSIDE OUT DORSET – 2025 Festival preparation

Across the 2024-25 year there was a great deal of development work to create the programme for September 2025. The festival is planned to run from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 September 2025 (with a Nature Calling invite only event happening on Saturday 6 September).

The festival includes 3 National projects: River of Hope led by Thames Festival, Beach of Dreams led by Kinetika and Nature Calling led by National Landscapes Association with Activate as the Executive Creative Producer and funded by Arts Council England National Project Grants and DEFRA (Department for Food and Rural Affairs).

There are 5/6 locations moving forward for 2025 festival: Cerne Abbas (technically outside of the festival period, as part of Nature Calling work with Dorset National Landscape), Christchurch (festival opening event), Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Yeovil, Corfe Castle and Weymouth. Cerne Abbas will be the premiere of the Dorset Nature Calling commission, and a site next to the Giant has been secured. River of Hope, an international environmental project, will present the work of five Dorset and Hampshire secondary schools in Christchurch, alongside contributions from other project partners. Moors Valley Country Park and Forest will feature a new work by Lorna Rees Company, co-commissioned by Activate and the National Memorial Arboretum. The Nature Calling project, Consequences, will also be shown on the opening weekend in Yeovil and as part of the Corfe Castle programme in the second weekend. The Corfe Castle programme will have a Catalan focus and will be the centre of our professionals programme. Finally, the Weymouth project has developed well, becoming the closing large scale event in the programme.

Internationalism: there are 4 Catalan companies who will be performing at Corfe Castle. Attakkalari from India is creating the choreography for the Weymouth event along with a UK choreographer, Charlene Low who will work in situ with an array of community groups and our creative producing team: Remix, Dorset Youth Dance Weymouth College Performing Arts students, Movers and Shakers, children in receipt of free school meals through the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF), BPC Indian Community (Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch) and b-sharp next year who will perform at the event, as well as up to 100 Dorset residents who will be invited to free open workshops on Weymouth beach to learn simple movement and take part in the event, as part of the Portland and Weymouth Towns of Culture. River of Hope is an international collaboration including partners across the UK, France and Ethiopia.

We secured funds from The Garrick Trust for Dorset-based artist Rohan Gotobed (company Dorsetborn) to collaborate with Catalan companies Eva Marichalar-Friexa and Jordi i Roldos on a new performance to be presented in Corfe Castle in 2025 at Sandy Hill Arts. Our ongoing support of Dorset companies like Dorsetborn makes Dorset more widely known for our independent creatives and makers. New Southwest company Radical Ritual have developed their Nature Calling commission, ‘Consequences’ across 3 sites as mentioned above, with a rich programme of engagement work meeting and preparing to create the artwork with groups from Fairmead SEND School, Able2Achieve, Yeovil Together and Birchfield Primary School.

Dorset/BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole), based artists include Lorna Rees, Heidi Stellar who will be the visual artist leading the work for River of Hope with Dorset filmmaker Elliot Milson and Southwest based writer Matt West.

With the climate crisis, we consciously work in greener ways, understanding that we all need to be part of the solution in protecting our planet and we are a member of Culture Declares Emergency. Several of the art works in the 2025 festival will explore the issues of climate emergency and nature connectedness when we deliver the festival next year, we will be encouraging audience to take action to minimise their environmental impact in attending our events, demonstrating how we are working to reduce our carbon footprint in Dorset, and help change public behaviour to reduce environmental impact.

We received a Silver Dorset Tourism Award in January 2024 for Inside Dorset Festival 2023.

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2024 SIGNATURE EVENT: SPARK! & FIREFLIES BY WORLDBEATERS

The Dusk Til Dark event we produced for We Are Weymouth was successful, with an est. 6,900 people attending across the 2 days. On Friday 27 September Worldbeaters gave 3 performances of Spark! in 3 locations across the Weymouth BID area, attracting 1,650 people, with the show at Bowleaze Coveway being particularly popular. On Saturday 28 September, 5,000 people turned out for the world premiere of Fireflies, featuring students from Weymouth College who had been working with Worldbeaters for 2 days. An additional 250 watched the rehearsals on site during Saturday daytime. During the summer, we ran four half day workshops across July and August for children aged 6 – 15 with their families and at the Littlemoor Family Day totalling 75 people, providing creative workshop activity linked to Fireflies, some of which was displayed in shop windows throughout Weymouth. Following the event, 2 bursaries were given to Weymouth College Students to attend Frank Wurzinger's clowning workshop and to see his performance at The Lyric Theatre Bridport.

Funding for the event was received from We Are Weymouth, Dorset Council, Weymouth Town Council and Dorset Community Foundation, with in-kind support from Damory Coaches. The event had media coverage in Dorset Echo and The Atlantic Magazine’s photos of the week.

The Objectives Inside Out Dorset development and our 2024 signature event fulfilled: 1-6 and 8-9.

ENGAGEMENT AND YOUNG TALENT DEVELOPMENT

Across the year, the festival and signature event engagement and following programme had a rich diversity of work with Dorset communities across dance, music, contemporary circus, puppet making, rap and songwriting, environmental arts, and craft/making activities.

Dorset Youth Dance (DYD) and The Remix - our two ongoing youth dance/inclusive performance groups continued to flourish.

Dorset Youth Dance (DYD)

We engaged 10 children and young people aged 7-25 in 57 DYD sessions of weekly and special school holiday workshops through our Junior, Senior and Company groups. The creative talent of the children and young people in DYD is nurtured year-round providing them with career pathways and new ways to curate their own culture.

‘When I’m feeling low dancing gives me a lift.’ – DYD participant.

3 bursaries were given to DYD participants to cover their fees in taking part.

We worked with Dorset Council’s Within Reach programme to support young people aged 18-25 to receive training and support to develop skills in creative leadership and be ‘earning whilst learning’. A young person from DYD received the placement and has since worked with Remix artists.

Another DYD member has finished college and has signed up to work with The Remix as Care staff, therefore supporting young people who wish to stay in the area to gain work.

Remix

We engaged 79 young people aged 5-25 with disabilities and without in The Remix through a programme of 70 creative workshops, as part of Dorset Council Short Breaks and the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF). Remix provides a break for families in caring for children who are disabled, improving the whole family’s wellbeing through cultural activity, meeting Dorset Council's ambition 2 to bring communities together, breaking down social isolation and help build happy, empowered, and connected communities. This year we continued the new offer in the East of the county Premix East for ages 5+.

Our newer Remix Originals group for the older cohort of Remix participants aged 18 - 25 is still successful and we continue to fundraise and deliver this. In total 2,627 hours of short breaks for Remix parent/carers were provided.

Participants in Remix learn new skills and feel included in their community through the activities and support provided by the experienced artistic and care staff, reducing their isolation and empowering the children and young people. Children who are disabled and children without disabilities play and learn new creative skills together, breaking down barriers and embedding inclusivity. Remix meets Dorset Council’s ambition 1: ‘through arts, heritage and culture, we will improve health and wellbeing within our communities.

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

“My heart was bursting with pride…Everyone in Remix did amazingly well and that in part is due to the amazing support team behind the scenes. You really all do work your magic. I really don't know where you begin to put these incredible performances together to achieve such heartwarming performances. It's mind blowing how much time and effort that is spent ensuring our young people have these opportunities. We are truly grateful. Thank you all so much. I'm so looking forward to the next Remix performance.” – Remix Parent/Carer

Street in the Park

Street in the Park on 10 May 2024 in partnership with Weymouth College and Dorchester Town Council provided a platform for Dorset Youth Dance, The Remix, local dance groups, college dance and music students, a DJ competition for 10 aspiring DJs, 24 workshops in dance, graffiti, DJing, music production, event planning and marketing with DJ winners going on to perform at We Out Here festival. 750 attended and rated the event as good/excellent, they liked ‘being at an event that could be enjoyed by the whole family’ and ‘to be part of a community enjoying the event’’. https://vimeo.com/953535506

Street in the Park and the follow up work is nurturing and development creative talent in Dorset by giving them a platform and an opportunity to perform at high profile green field music festival We Out Here in Wimborne St Giles (see below) giving them better pathways to get into creative industries (ambition 3). The event also meets Dorset Council’s ambition 5, to embed inclusivity, diversity, and equality at every level of the arts, heritage and culture sector.

We Out Here

We successfully delivered street dance, DJ and rapping workshops at/for Giles Peterson’s We Out Here festival. https://weoutherefestival.com/ in August. We presented a bespoke version of Lorna Rees’s Cloudscapes and the Working Boys Club's Noisy Noise Noise installation for children. We also hosted a DJ competition with the 3 winners of the Street in the Park DJs and DJ Lola won, which means the 13-year-old returns to the festival next year with her family to play another set.

Our work to create a platform in this way for young people at We Out Here demonstrates our commitment to encourage the nurturing and development of all creative talent in Dorset. In particular, we will identify better pathways for young people to get into creative industries and form new ways for young people to create and curate their own culture.

Christmas Showcase

186 audience attended the showcase on 15 December 2024 at Weymouth College where students performed alongside 75 children and young people from Dorset including Weymouth Dance Studio, Stagecoach, DJ Lola, Isaiah Dreads, Weymouth Curtain Raisers alongside DYD and The Remix who came together for a festive evening of entertainment at The Bay Theatre, Weymouth.

The audience were captivated by the range of performances and also the commitment and enthusiasm of all those involved.

Flavours

Led by Dorset National Landscape, Flavours is focused on reaching a more diverse public through food, arts and heritage and increasing access to the National Landscape.

The project had three stages: stage 1 – a series of farm visits with ethnically diverse community groups in Dorset, supported by the Dorset Race Equality Council with Dorset Food and Drink, stage 2: our programme at Wild Woodbury in Inside Out Dorset Festival 2023 and stage 3: co-programming activities. In 2024-25 we have worked on stage 3, working in depth with 82 people from diverse communities. Lorna Rees delivered a well-received day of workshops in July at Durlston Country Park: 35 members of BPC Indian community attended. We also supported an event for Nigerian family Community Groups - 50 people attended. The project is extending into next Spring where we will deliver additional activity, possibly working with the Nature Calling writer, Louise AdjoaParker.

Our work through Flavours demonstrates how we are working through culture to bring communities together, breaking down social isolation and helping build happy, empowered, and connected communities and to embed inclusivity, diversity, and equality at every level of the arts, heritage and culture sector.

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Diverse-led Youth Performing Arts Project. We were approached some time ago to support a new diverse-led performing arts initiative in BCP and began planning a pilot project for next year, securing funding from Talbot Village Trust.

The above engagement projects fulfilled our Objectives 1-6.

Sector support: For Creatives – commissioning and talent development

Our wealth of experience, gained over more than 30 years, makes us a great sounding board and source of information on all aspects of creating live performance – relevant to the industry. As well as chairing the Dorset Theatre Promoters Consortium, bringing local venues together to work strategically to bring new risk-taking work to Dorset, we provide bursaries, one-to-one advice sessions, signposting and broker introductions for creative freelancers in Dorset.

Artists’ Advice

In 24-25 we provided 728 workshop, advice and support sessions to 587 students and early, mid and established career practitioners, enabling them to develop projects, secure funding and work opportunities and build their networks so that they can thrive in the county – meeting Dorset Council's ambition 6, supporting all artists, freelancers, and our creative workers to have the opportunities to thrive in Dorset at all stages of their life and career. We supported The Scripts The Thing event for writers in Dorchester.

CREATE! 2025

The short course for emerging artists/creatives led this year by b-side Festival was a success with 19 participants undertaking the programme, from across Dorset and BCP, 42% identified as being from a low-income background. We partnered with b-side and Arts By the Sea Festivals and were supported by associate partner Bridport Arts Centre. 7 artists were supported with small start-up funds for a new idea/project with between £250-500 associated to one of the partners, and a further 5 received in kind support to develop their idea. Our previous 2023 Dorset-based Trainee Producer Archie Rowell successfully led the project working freelance for b-side. CREATE! meets Dorset Council ambition 3, nurturing and developing of all creative talent in Dorset, pathways for young people to get into creative industries and new ways for young people to create and curate their own culture. 71% reported an increase in confidence, 100% reported an increase in knowledge, and 93% - reported they felt more connected to like minded artistic people in Dorset as a result.

“I feel I gained valuable insight and inspiration from the range of speakers you gathered. …. I also feel I have made some brilliant personal connections with creators that wouldn’t have been possible if not for this course.” - Connie JT, Dorset based CREATE 2025 participant

Mudlarks International Residency

We partnered again with world-renowned theatre company, Complicité on their international residency https:// www.complicite.org/working-with-artists/mudlarks-international-residency/. Complicité aims to give artists of any discipline the space, time and support to develop an idea, on their own terms, in their own way through this residency. We nominated BCP-based artist Tilly Ingram (who has subsequently relocated to the border of Dorset/ Somerset) this year to participate in and benefit from the Mudlarks International Residency in March 2025.

Grace The Space

Grace The Space co-led between Dorset based theatre Director Natasha Nixon, BCP based facilitator Alice Flynn and Bristol based theatre maker Ruth Pitter, is a community project encouraging diverse groups of women to grace outdoor spaces and explore their creativity through walking, workshops and nature-based events across Dorset, with support from National Trust, Dorset Race Equality Council, Dorset National Landscape and Activate. We continue to support Grace The Space through advice sessions, and in 2024-25 we encouraged them to secure a residency at 101 Outdoor Arts Creation space near Newbury and provided funding to cover participants’ access costs.

Networking, Publicity and Advocacy

Kate Wood our Executive & Artistic Director is on the steering group for What Next Dorset: a sector support initiative bringing cultural practitioners together meeting fortnightly. We helped deliver a number of live What Next Dorset meetings in Bournemouth and Dorset. Kate is on the board of the BCP Cultural Compact, a strategic sector focussed initiative to develop culture locally. Kate supported Weymouth Town Council on the development of their application for the Dorset ‘Town of Culture’ project with Portland Town Council, including writing an Arts Council Project Grant application for Weymouth Town Council with Rocca Holly-Nambi, b-side’s Director which was successful, to support ‘Reveal’ Portland & Weymouth Towns of Culture’s programme launching next year.

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

We are members of Outdoor Arts UK and attend regular drop-in sector meetings, and we produce shared promotional material with the festivals consortium with b-side and Bournemouth Arts by the Sea. We have also joined the Artistic Directorate of outdoor arts consortium Without Walls and the Circostrada European network.

We provided platforms for young creatives to perform through the Remix and DYD, nurturing talent for a diverse range of children and young people. In March both Remix and DYD groups performed at U-dance and Origins Youth Dance Showcases at Pavilion Dance South West.

Producers offer their expertise on steering groups such as ‘Ignite’, the new culture and education network and ‘Reach for the Arts’, a development programme for supporting artists in inclusive practice.

Our sector support outlined above demonstrates our commitment to Dorset Council's ambition 6, supporting all artists, freelancers, and our creative workers to have the opportunities to thrive in Dorset at all stages of their life and career. Through our work, artists and freelancers are valued, championed, included in decision making and paid a fair rate of pay.

The above sector support work fulfilled our Objectives: 6,8-9.

Touring Shows

Working Boys Club presenting ‘Serving Sounds’. We toured BCP-based company Working Boys Club's Serving Sounds installation to Dorchester, Grimsby, Crawley, Oldham, Glastonbury & Basingstoke, Tynemouth, Huntingdon, Stockton, Hungary, Belgium, Cambridge, Selby, Mansfield and Barnsley. They also began R&D with children in the BCP Council as part of the Cultural Hub named ‘Noisy Noise Noise’, which was piloted at Giles Peterson’s We Out Here festival in August 2024 and We Break We Build which we have secured funding from Without Walls ‘Blueprint’ to R&D.

At least 50% of the Serving Sounds shows this year have been in Priority Places, easily reaching 3000+ people across those shows. We have targeted CPP organisations for 2025, with both Serving Sounds and Noisy Noise Noise available for performances and engagement work.

"We were very happy to work with you and with the boys. They are very nice people and I really like working with them." Jozsef Kardos, Program Director, Sziget Festival

"Cambridge audiences loved it, I think the ‘clever/uni folk’ who stumbled across it were excited by the technology and in awe. Would have the show back in a heartbeat!" Lewis Anderson, Cambridge City Council

Lorna Ree’s ‘Geophonic’. our Inside Out Dorset Associate Artist presented her Inside Out Dorset 2021 commission Geophonic for the first time in Europe at Sismograf festival in April 2024, attracting great coverage on regional television and great audience responses. The festival takes place within the site of a dormant volcano, so it was the perfect context for Geophonic: a "promenade" or sound walk that encourages audiences to listen to the geological processes of the Earth.

Tilly Ingram, ‘The Hide’ . We supported Dorset based Tilly Ingram to apply to Without Walls to create her first touring show which was successful, and she created the show in readiness to tour in 2025/2026.

The above touring work fulfilled our Objectives: 4, 6 and 7

Nature Calling

A partnership project with the National Landscapes Association. Last year, we reported that we helped secure £2m worth of investment into this nationally significant project that spans 2024-2025. A two-year project, it is an ambitious, ground-breaking national season of art in nature, commissioning exceptional diverse multi-art form artists across the country to animate, celebrate and increase access to the country’s national landscapes. As both a producing partner for the Dorset hub, and Executive Creative Producer for the national project, this raises Activate’s national profile both as a leading arts organisation and specialist in working in protected landscapes. It will also help us to reach lower engaged/underserved audiences in Dorset and South Somerset through the 2025 festival and engagement programme and build our networks across England.

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Achievements and performance

In 2024-25, all writers and artists were selected for the project. Writers: Louise Adjoa-Parker (Dorset National Landscape), Lee Nelson (Chilterns), Still Shady (Surrey Hills), OneDa (Forest of Bowland), Ayesha Chouglay (Lincolnshire Wolds) and Jason Singh/Gwyneth Herbert and Chris Howard with Sound UK (Mendip Hills), with 5 out of the 6 having produced the writing/songs going live on the website: www.naturecalling.org.uk The commissioned artists started planning their engagement and delivery with communities to co-create their work: Becca Gill/Radical Ritual (Dorset National Landscape), Daniel Locke and David Blandy (Surrey Hills National Landscape), Rob St John (Forest of Bowland National Landscape), Matthew Rosier (Chilterns National Landscape) and INSTAR (Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape). 83% of writers are from the global majority, exceeding our our target was 40%. Details of the May-October season, which will include another 26 smaller commissions across the other National Landscapes and 2 National Parks, will go live in 2025/2026.

Each National Landscape is partnered with an experienced producing organisation which includes Revoluton Arts, Super Culture, Lancaster Arts, Magna Vitae and Chelsey Everett, Surrey Hills Arts – and in Dorset, we are the local producer. In each location there is an advisory group, and we have held regular development sessions with the National Landscapes to support the process. The Arts Development Programme Manager, Kerenza McClarnan, employed by the National Landscape Association has been an excellent appointment.

Kate Wood also delivered training for officers in the Protected Landscapes Partnerships (National Landscapes, National Parks and National Trails) with Bill Gee and Ruth Pitter. 50-60 participants took part, and the feedback has been very good with 75% rating the quality as high. Two artists residencies were delivered in Salford and Newbury with the same team, and a really rich, beneficial programme was produced and well received.

Nature Calling fulfilled our Objective: 1-8.

INTERNATIONALISM

We sustained our European partnership (LAND - Transitioning LANDscapes) attracting international recognition for our work through site specific and outdoor arts.

Transitioning LANDscapes - new forms for landscape-based arts successfully secured Creative Europe Funds, submitted by lead partner Oerol in Netherlands. 3 unique landscape laboratories – France, Netherlands and Slovakia, 1 shared framework. Each partner to effectively create a Landscape Laboratory responding to our local and global challenges of climate change.

Activate cannot be a partner due to Brexit, so our role is a sub-contractor to the lead partner delivering training throughout the 2-year project – running from January 2024 to December 2025. In 2024-25 Kate Wood delivered training with Bill Gee in France, Slovakia and Netherlands as part of the Transitioning LANDscapes project. 2 'transitions' in each location were identified for artists to work on, alongside the land stewards with target audiences agreed in each country. The selection of the artists took place in September (the artists selected are: RaraWoulib (FR) , Rita Hoofjwik (NL) and David Koronczi (SL) ) and we met with all 3 artists to help us curate the residency which took place in March/April 2025 in Portland.

Through our industry programme with an international focus, we are continuing to develop a high-quality arts, heritage and culture offer that can command regional, national and international recognition, making Dorset known for our festivals, outstanding museum exhibitions and events, site specific and outdoor arts and our independent creatives and makers.

LAND - Transitioning LANDscapes fulfilled our Objectives: 8 & 9.

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ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Financial review

Activate Performing Arts is core funded by Arts Council England as one of its National Portfolio Organisations, along with Dorset Council, and BCP Council .

Our 2024-2025 Programme funders were National Landscapes Association, Arts Council England project funds, DEFRA, Dorset National Landscape with National Lottery Heritage funding, We are Weymouth (Weymouth BID), Weymouth Town Council, Dorset Community Foundation, Garrick Trust, Talbot Village Trust, Dorset Council Culture & Community Fund and Holiday & Activity Fund, Children in Need, Cultural Hub, Abri Housing Association, b-side festival, Arts by the Sea Festival, We Out Here festival and Dorchester Town Council, with private funds donated by Jane Rigler.

We had a contract for services with Dorset Council to deliver Short Breaks through The Remix.

The balance of income is derived through earned income such as booking fees for our touring work, trader income, participants’ fees and small individual donations.

In kind support was received from many partners including Damory Coaches, Weymouth College, Vinyl Van, Air 107.2 FM, and Rowlands Webster accountants.

Reserves

Reserves are held in three funds – ‘restricted funds’, ‘unrestricted funds’ and ‘designated funds within the unrestricted funds’. Restricted funds represent money that is earmarked by the donor. The Directors can only use these funds for the specific purpose for which they were given. Unrestricted funds are funds that the Directors may use for any purpose within the objects of Activate. The Directors have earmarked certain funds for future use:

  1. The smooth operation of the company is dependent upon its staff and any form of long-term illness would involve the company in additional costs for temporary staff. Operational Reserves Funds have been set aside to employ temporary staff for 6 months.

  2. Core funding is agreed on a year-by-year basis. Should any core funders not provide the funds in any one year, the future of Activate would be in doubt. The company would need to conclude its activities in an orderly manner and eventually make its staff redundant. Funds have been set aside in case this unfortunate circumstance should arise.

3. Committed projects.

At 31 March 2025, restricted funds totalled £143,877 Unrestricted income funds totalled £265,227. The Directors designated Operational Reserves of £151,000 in accordance with the Reserves Policy above. Separate to that is a specific designation of £86,500 for the 2025 Festival, £10,000 to support a new trainee producer. The remaining £17,727 is a general unrestricted reserve.

Risk

The Trustees have a risk management strategy that is monitored quarterly and reviewed annually by the Finance Subgroup. Risk management in this financial year continued to be a focus due to fundraising challenges. These groups have been reviewed and two permanent subgroups have been in operation focussing on Finances and Income Generation/Fundraising with new ‘champions’ being created focussing on: environmental responsibility/climate emergency, innovation, and diversity, with a task and finish HR subgroup when required. There is also one associated group focussing on the Inside Out Dorset festival. Systems and procedures are established and discussed at Board Meetings, to mitigate any identified risks, which the Executive and Artistic Director implements and oversees with the staff team.

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Structure, governance and management

Activate Performing Arts is a company limited by guarantee, formerly known as Dorset Dance Forum, which became a registered charity on 8 March 1994 and incorporated on 25th September 1997 governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The organisation became Activate Performing Arts on 22nd November 2004, by special resolution, when the change to add drama to the principal activity was resolved. The organisation was formed in 1991 as an unincorporated association.

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

M Noonan (Resigned 19 February 2025) P Gifford (Resigned 19 February 2025) T Irwin I Metclafe (Resigned 26 November 2024) M Oliver S St George R Headley R Gotobed P Wilson (Appointed 19 February 2025) T Bell (Appointed 18 August 2025) S Chisholm (Appointed 18 August 2025)

In accordance with the Articles of Association, Mr Rohan Gotobed and Ms Sara St George will retire at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

We have a diverse representation of gender, age, sexuality, race, socio-economic background and disability on the board.

None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

Our policies

Diversity and Equality Policy, Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People Policy, Environmental Policy, Reserves Policy, Health and Safety Policy and Risk Management (including COVID Guidance Policy), Procurement Policy, Financial Control Policy, Training and Development Policy, Grievance and Disciplinary Policies and Privacy Policy. We introduced two new policies in the year: Conflict of Interest Policy and Whistleblowing Policy. We are also guided by the Five Guiding Principles for working with Freelancers in the arts.

Organisational structure

The Board of Directors, who are also the Charity Trustees, establish policies that are then implemented by the Executive and Artistic Director who is responsible for the employment of staff to carry out the objectives of the company. The directors, who are listed below, present their report with the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025. When new Trustees are required, both an open call is undertaken or persons who are able to offer particular expertise are invited to serve on the Board. All Trustees are inducted and provided with full information on the organisation’s current and past programme and policies. Under the Executive and Artistic Director’s supervision, staff members and freelancers are employed or engaged on short term contracts to deliver the programme of work. For the year ended 31 March 2025 Activate employed 12 permanent members of staff (7.5 FT equivalent, based on contracts over 52 weeks) and 99 artists, producers, technicians, and administrators on short contracts and were supported by 27 volunteers.

Draft Financial Statements at 13 October 2025 at 11:26:40 ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

TEAM

With female leadership, we are recognised as a diverse led organisation. The core team for the year was:

Kate Wood – Executive and Artistic Director (F/T) (also Inside Out Dorset co-Artistic Director and co-Executive Creative Producer for Nature Calling)

Jen Walke-Myles – Executive Producer (P/T) Irene Archibald – Senior Administrator (F/T) Caroline Suri – Producer Specialising in Theatre, and Engagement (P/T) Michaela Shaw – Producer Specialising in Youth Dance and Diversity (P/T) Verity Shallaker – Marketing & Communications Manager (P/T) Dom Kippin - Producer for Inside Out Dorset, Outdoor Arts and Touring (F/T) Emily Thompson-Smith – Project lead on Dorset Youth Dance and Rehearsal Director

With essential project support from the following freelance contractors who worked with us over a longer period: Bill Gee – Inside Out Dorset Co-Artistic Director, Nature Calling Co-Executive Creative Producer (with Kate Wood) and consultancy

Mat Ort – Head of Health & Safety/Production Manager, Inside Out Dorset Jude Allen – The Remix Project Manger Aimee Hobbs – The Remix East Artistic Director Sarah Colwell – Book-keeping

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

..............................

Trustee

Date: ....19 / 11 / 2025

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and grants
3
321,677
178,971
Charitable activities
64,368
72,531
Investments
2
4,066
-
Total income
390,111
251,502
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
340,552
147,634
Total expenditure
340,552
147,634
Net income/(expenditure)
49,559
103,868
Transfers between
funds
33,627
(33,627)
Net movement in
funds
5
83,186
70,241
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2024
182,041
73,636
Fund balances at 31 March
2025
265,227
143,877		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
500,648
310,723
187,290
136,899
9,750
159,094
4,066
5,890
-
641,613
326,363
346,384
488,186
295,208
440,528
488,186
295,208
440,528
153,427
31,155
(94,144)
-
(123,160)
123,160
153,427
(92,005)
29,016
255,677
274,046
44,620
409,104
182,041
73,636		 Total
2024
£
498,013
168,844
5,890
672,747
735,736
735,736
(62,989)
-
(62,989)
318,666
255,677

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Activate Performing Arts (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of Association of Accounting Technicians, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Streets Rowlands Webster

Austin House 43 Poole Road Bournemouth Dorset BH4 9DN England

Date: .....19./ 11 / 2025......................

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

2025 2024
Notes £ £ £ £
Current assets
Debtors 9 19,245 8,363
Cash at bank and in hand 408,252 269,994
427,497 278,357
Creditors: amounts falling due within 10
one year (18,393) (22,680)
Net current assets 409,104 255,677
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds 11 143,877 73,636
Unrestricted funds 12 265,227 182,041
409,104 255,677

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................

..............................

Sara St. George - 19 / 11 / 2025

Trustee

Company registration number 03439777 (England and Wales)

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Activate Performing Arts is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 7-9 The Little Keep, Barrack Road, Dorchester, DT1 1SQ.

1.1 Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charities governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred and is accounted for net of VAT. Contractual arrangements and performance related grants are recognised as goods and services are supplied.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Computers 25% on cost

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.8 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Investing activities
Investment income received
Net cash generated from investing activities
Net cash generated from financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2025
£
4,066		 £
134,192
4,066
-
138,258
269,994
408,252		 2024
£
5,890		 £
19,650
5,890
-
25,540
244,454
269,994

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2 Income from investments

Interest receivable
Donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
£
£
Donations and gifts
10,589
807
Grants
311,088
178,164
321,677
178,971
Expenditure on charitable activities
Direct costs
Depreciation and impairment
Artistic programme
Share of support and governance costs (see note )
Support
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
£
£
4,066
5,890
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
£
11,396
135
2,203
2,338
489,252
310,588
185,087
495,675
500,648
310,723
187,290
498,013
2025
2024
£
£
-
147
423,636
673,439
423,636
673,586
488,186
735,736
340,552
295,208
147,634
440,528
488,186
735,736
64,550
62,150		 Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
£
£
4,066
5,890
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
£
11,396
135
2,203
2,338
489,252
310,588
185,087
495,675
500,648
310,723
187,290
498,013
2025
2024
£
£
-
147
423,636
673,439
423,636
673,586
488,186
735,736
340,552
295,208
147,634
440,528
488,186
735,736
64,550
62,150
Total
2024
£
2,338
495,675
498,013
2024
£
147
673,439
673,586
62,150
735,736
295,208
440,528
735,736

3 Donations and legacies

4 Expenditure on charitable activities

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5 Net movement in funds 2025 2024
£ £
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable to the charity's independent examiner:
- for the independent examination of the charity's financial statements 2,000 2,000
- for other assurance services 100 100
- for other financial services 6,000 7,000
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets - 147

6 Trustees

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

7 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2025 2024
Number Number
18 17

8 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

9 Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
10
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year		 2025
£
17,178
2,067
19,245		 2024
£
7,736
627
8,363
Other taxation and social security
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2025
£
6,103
3,850
-
8,440
18,393		 2024
£
4,697
2,283
2,250
13,450
22,680

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

11 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
2024 resources expended 2025
£ £ £ £ £
CH Remix 48,189 73,347 (65,691) (7,537) 48,308
Schools Engagement 3,000 - (2,495) (505) -
Inclusive Youth 959 3,184 (3,145) (164) 834
Nature Calling 19,000 91,000 (27,636) (34,000) 48,364
Quest 932 - - (932) -
EU Partnerships 1,556 12,279 (5,468) (5,000) 3,367
IO Community Engagement - 8,000 (246) - 7,754
IOD Signature - 28,442 (24,157) (4,285) -
Inside Out - 35,250 (18,796) 18,796 35,250
73,636 251,502 (147,634) (33,627) 143,877
Previous year: At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
2023 resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £ £
CH Remix 29,430 73,927 (47,775) (7,392) 48,190
IO 12,250 176,034 (352,439) 164,155 -
Inclusive Youth 500 - - (500) -
Talent Development 200 4,551 (2,804) (1,947) -
Quest 932 - - - 932
C&YP 1,308 - (1,917) 1,568 959
EU Partnerships - 3,280 (1,724) - 1,556
Other - 88,592 (33,869) (32,724) 21,999
44,620 346,384 (440,528) 123,160 73,636

ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
2024 resources expended 2025
£ £ £ £ £
6mths running costs 139,000 - - 12,000 151,000
Inflation 13,900 - - (13,900) -
Festival 13,000 - - 73,500 86,500
Trainee producer - - - 10,000 10,000
General funds 16,141 390,111 (340,552) (47,973) 17,727
182,041 390,111 (340,552) 33,627 265,227
Previous year: At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
2023 resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £ £
6mths running costs 133,000 6,000 - - 139,000
Future depreciation 146 - (146) - -
Festival 69,000 - (69,000) - -
Inflation - 13,900 - - 13,900
Trainee producer (Prog Routes) 5,000 - (5,000) - -
Grace the Space 197 - (197) - -
Projects - 13,000 - - 13,000
JR Youth Projects 2,585 - (2,585) - -
General funds 64,118 293,463 (218,280) (123,160) 16,141
274,046 326,363 (295,208) (123,160) 182,041

13 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).