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2024-03-31-accounts

Company number: 02089425 Charity number: 1070805

Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Unaudited Report & Financial Statements

for the year ended

31 March 2024

Wenn Townsend

Chartered Accountants

Oxford

Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity

for the year ended 31 March 2024

Status Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited is a charitable Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited is a charitable
company, limited by guarantee and registered as a charity
Company Number 02089425
Charity Number 1070805
Registered Office and Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency
Operational Address A Block East Oxford Community Centre
Princes Street
Oxford
OX4 1DD
Trustees
Andrew John McLellan (Vice-Chair – resigned Sept 2023)
Roger McKenzie (Co-Chair)
Sally McKone (Treasurer)
Lisia Newmark
Regina Ndhlovu (Co-Chair)
Secretary Kieran Cox
Principal Bankers National Westminster Bank PLC
Accountants Wenn Townsend
30 St Giles’
Oxford
OX1 3LE

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

Structure, Governance and Management

The Trustees present their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Constitution and Organisation

Fusion - Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited (“Fusion”) is a registered Charity (number 1070805) governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and Company Limited by Guarantee (number 02089425). Its Board of Trustees governs the Charity.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

The Directors of the charitable company (“the Charity”) are its Trustees: for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report they are collectively referred to as the Trustees and constitute its Members of Council.

Fusion’s constitution states that Board membership numbers should not be less than three with a quorum not less than one third or two Trustees, whichever is the greater. Trustees to date have been recruited through a direct approach by a member of staff or board member. They are usually previously known to the organisation or the individual who approaches them.

More recently, following guidelines, Fusion has implemented a targeted recruitment campaign, sending out advertisements to appropriate companies and groups with the required skillset. The applications received back are then presented to the Trustees who will meet the candidates and recruit the appropriate people.

New Trustees are briefed on their obligations under charity law and company law and on the committee and decision-making process, safeguarding, policies, the business plan and the recent financial performance of the Charity. Trustees cannot personally benefit from Fusion whilst serving as a Trustee.

Risk Assessment

The Trustees recognise and accept their responsibility for ensuring that risks to which the Charity is exposed are reviewed and steps are taken to mitigate potential damage by the use of appropriate preventative controls and corrective actions. Trustees are aware of the Charities SORP issued in 2016 (FRS 102) and accept the requirement, in relation to all aspects of their work, for regular assessment of operating strengths and weaknesses. To this end, the risk management strategy comprises an annual review of the risks that the Charity may face; the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified; and the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the Charity should any of those risks materialise.

Objectives and Activities for the Public Benefit

Our aims are to:

  1. Foster and promote the improvement and development of artistic knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the arts, including the worlds of drama, dance, music, visual arts, crafts, films, videos, animation and literature for the benefit of the public and in particular community groups, young persons, older people and people with special needs.

  2. Provide or assist in the provision of facilities for the arts, recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for such persons.

The Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties.

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

Fusion Arts Key Achievements 2023-24

Mission Statement

Fusion Arts is a catalyst for creativity in Oxford, and beyond. Since 1977 we have connected artists with communities, and inspired hundreds of bespoke creative projects.

Through the transformational power of the arts, we respond to challenging social circumstances by delivering meaningful, inclusive and innovative artistic experiences.

Fusion Arts has continued to develop a wide range of projects and initiatives to fulfil our remit and service plan of developing both centre-based activities at our site ‘Fusion Arts Centre’ in East Oxford, as well as off-site activities.

The key strands of work as recently defined in our current business plan are as follows:

Fusion is a leader in developing and maintaining the physical infrastructure of high-quality community arts activities and in providing a participatory arts programme for community artists through training and employment opportunities.

Artistic Policy

Fusion Arts:

We believe the arts:

Fusion strives through the arts to:

We wish to see a sustainable, supportive and vibrant artistic & cultural ecology for Oxford.

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

2023-24

In 2023-24, Fusion Arts formed new partnerships with many organisations whilst consolidating and developing relationships with established partners and communities. Fusion Arts played an active role in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting partners, workforces and communities. Fusion led on the establishment and development of a number of networks of collective action and support : specifically Climate Justice and Racial Justice through our work with Green Arts Oxfordshire Network (GAON) & Oxford Cultural Anti-Racism Alliance (OCARA).

Fusion Arts continued to support the local economy through employment, creating long term and short term opportunities. Fusion Arts continued to support the local economy by working with local partners and suppliers. Fusion Arts continued to support the local economy by putting on events and exhibitions that brought footfall and spend across multiple areas throughout the year.

Fusion Arts continued to fight injustice and advocate for social change. Fusion supported diverse partners and groups, communities and individuals with protected characteristics disadvantaged and disenfranchised by the wider society and experience, or at risk of, being discriminated against.

Fusion Arts continued to support the community providing opportunities for people to come together, learn, celebrate and share arts and culture.

Fusion Arts created opportunities for individuals and communities to connect and to gain skills and understanding.

Fusion Arts continued to lead on organisational, sectoral and community change and development.

Committed to social change Fusion Arts is a founding member of Oxfordshire’s Cultural Anti-Racism Alliance. In 2023-24 Fusion Arts took on the administrational responsibility – supporting this collaborative action across the local cultural sector. This work was supported by Arts Council England

Commitment to combatting climate emergency – Fusion co-founded and runs Oxfordshire Green Arts Charter & Network with the collaboration and support of additional partners and artists

Continued artist support and development – Exhibitions, Advocacy, Studios, Space, Employment & Artist Research (Arts Lab and Music Lab)

Place making – Temporary Spaces and Pop-Up alongside community building and supporting events around the city.

Key Projects, Events, Partnerships and Highlights 2023-24

Story Makers

Story Makers is an acclaimed innovative multi-arts project designed and delivered in partnership with an integrative arts psychotherapist. Each year the project is funded by BBC Children In Need and delivered in partnership with a different Oxford museum and community collection.

We work with groups of 7-11 years old children with speech, language and communication needs to engage in creative arts practice to build skills, self-esteem, confidence and interpersonal relationships. During COVID19 the delivery methodology changed to best support children and work safely for the team in a ‘whole class’ approach. This year’s theme was Story Makers – Stories of Oxford with Wood Farm and Rose Hill Primary School children to help build self-confidence, self-belief and communication and support engagement with support of Museum of Oxford.

Part of a return to normal practice and recovery from COVID19 we were able to support Primary

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

Schools in reestablishing out of school visits for the children following the Pandemic and also in reinstating after school provision.

During the summer term we worked with 22 children at Wood Farm and 10 children from Rose Hill Primary School. Story Makers also provided vital personal development training opportunities to three 3 keen sector volunteers

This intensive, in-depth and sustained programme has been shown to make significant positive differences to participants lives. The project culminates with a celebration day and follow-on exhibition showcasing the children’s work within the community collection. The Story Makers learning is shared with experts across education and arts psychotherapy through a symposium that brings people together. Learnings have also been included in multiple publications.

Previous project partners to date include Bayards Hill, Cutteslowe, Rose Hill, New Marston and Wood Farm Primary Schools, John Henry Newman Academy School and also the Virtual School for looked after children. Museum partners have been The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, The Pitt Rivers Museum, The Oxford University History of Science Museum, Oxford Botanic Garden and The Museum of Natural History and now Museum of Oxford.

We have extended this programme under current funding until 2025.

Oxford Christmas Light Festival / Finding the Light

Fusion Arts took a leading role in partnership with Oxford City Council alongside a number of cultural partners to develop and produce a new community focused COVID-19 safe festival over the past few years.

For this year's Light Festival, Fusion Arts delivered Lantern workshops to a number of groups. Notably:

Activate Learning: 45 students got involved, designing their own huge lantern for Florence Park. Local artist Hannah did a “how-to” demo and supported students with their builds. Lanterns were then usefd at multiple events.

Oxford Community Action , fun day for the family!

During half term Oxford Community Action brought 27 participants to our Pop-Up at Templars Square Shopping Centre to create lanterns

Larkrise Primary got involved again and year 3 loved making stone-age inspired lanterns.

Taking part for the first time Windale Primary School got crafty, making lanterns with two whole year groups -year 2 and year 3!

Parasol Project created lanterns for a display and procession as part of their Christmas celebrations in North Way

Finding the Light Florence Park 17[th] & 18[th] November 2023

In addition to Lantern Making workshops Fusion Arts has helped developed the “Finding the Light” event in Florence Park produced by FloFest/GloFest and the local community. Partnering with FloFest for two evenings, Florence Park was illuminated with lights, lasers & lanterns. There were local independent food & drink stalls, fairground rides, live music & DJ's, and a light show.

On the Friday, 140 children from local primary schools Larkrise Primary School and East Oxford Primary came together to hold a mini lantern parade in the park with their friends, community and families; their 'Migration' themed lanterns were covered in flags and words (in many languages) of welcome and thanks. These lanterns were then hung in the trees for all to see over the weekend.

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

1500 visitors came to witness the opening parade late on the Friday afternoon and hundreds of young people enjoyed the laser show finale Saturday night, while local businesses were bustling and the event was central to the Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival.

Write On!

A Creative Writing programme created in Summer 2020 partnering with young carers and children in care. For this the third year of the programme Write On offered a series of creative writing workshops with those aged 13-17 to develop skills and build confidence, self-esteem and friendships. Online and in person sessions offered participants the opportunity to explore and develop their creative writing skills over the course of six weeks through a variety of exploratory writing exercises, techniques, and discussions. Sessions are led by mentors from the Creative Writing MSt course at the University of Oxford. The mentors receive safeguarding and mentoring training. Feedback from partners and participants, report benefits including increased confidence in their writing ability and confidence speaking & sharing work in front of a group.

Participants have included Virtual School for Looked After Children and Care Leavers and Be Free Young Carers' network of carers, young people at EMBS college & Oxfordshire Youth Enterprise’s Name It Project. Our mentors are working with over 25 young people from a range of socio-economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds, including ESL students and students who are returning to school to complete their GCSEs.

Given the growth of this project, we are planning for its long-term development into a Creative Writing Hub where we are aiming for a level of self-sufficiency achieved through longer-term core project funding.

In 2024-25 we’ll be reigniting the Creative Writing Hub - in the process of restarting the creative writing hub - ACE funded, waiting for match funding - recruit Mentors from Alumni and MA students - work with EMBS, Name it Youth and young carers

Supporting Community through Creating Spaces & Place Making

Artist residencies, studios, galleries, venues, workshop, rehearsal, and community spaces.

Building on conversations with partners and landlords from 2019, Fusion Arts established a number of “meaningful, meanwhile use” opportunities, developing spaces for artists and communities to make, show, create and experience the arts together. Two empty shops and three unused offices were converted into shared studio spaces, a recording studio, a music venue and community exhibition space, and a gallery, rehearsal and exhibition space.

We have developed Artist Residencies and partnerships supporting Upcycled Sounds, ACKHI, Kuumba Nia Arts, Lighthouse Project as well as a diverse group of artists.

Supporting artist development and local arts ecology with affordable/subsidised studios and workshop space in Templars Square.

13 Templars Square – A new space for the community and artists. We created new artist studio spaces and we also created a workshop space. This space is ongoing and developing hosting workshops in the holidays with children, young people and families from Oxford Community Action, EMBS, and YWMP.

Community Gallery & Creative Space 95 Gloucester Green – New Community Gallery and Workshop space. Programmed alongside the community to create a dynamic and social values-driven exhibitions, activities & events supporting communities and artists.

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

Notable exhibitions and events

Studio Artists

Anya Glezier, Pablo Fernandez Velasco, Alice Hackney, John Blythe, Katya Mora, Jordi Raga, Sylvia Morgardo, Helen Kohl. Diverse backgrounds, diverse range of visual arts and social practices from multiple cultures – including Mexico, Spain, Russia, France, England, Brazil, and Germany.

ArtTest project – in 2023-24 we expanded our temporary spaces programme and converted an empty shop unit to a pop-up public facing artist studio for 3 months.

Caribbean Living Room

Community space created by ACKHI (Afrikan and Caribbean Kultural Heritage Initiative) - Living Room exhibition, shop and social space. Studio and Rehearsal Space upstairs supporting artists - BKLUWO, Kuumba Nia Arts, Unlock the Chains Collective. Supports community - becoming a home and hub (food distribution and drop in)

Arts, Health and Ethics Collective - Collaboration and Launch

Following the successful Exhibtion for “Merging Minds” (youth mental health and arts based research project) Fusion Arts collaborated with the Wellcome Institute for Ethics and Humanities - launch event to create a new network and dialogues around arts based research. Bridging between community, artists, researchers Fusion Arts joined the AHEC team offering seed funding to research and arts collaborations.

Land Justice Oxfordshire

Fusion Arts collaborated in hosting a number of events and gatherings across the autumn coinciding with an exhibition at Arts At the Old Fire Station.

Know your trespass rights workshop

Oxfordshire Right to Roam and co-Director of the Right to Roam campaign, Jon Moses, delivered a hands-on workshop on understanding your rights to wander in the countryside. Learn how to respond if challenged and empower yourself with knowledge!

Displaced: Film screening, Dinner & Discussion

We delved into powerful documentaries by director Hasand Film, and Oxford Land Justice team, enjoyed a delicious dinner, and engaged in meaningful discussions. The documentaries shed light on the journeys of those affected by the UK's hostile environment, and we explored the vital intersections of land, race, and migrant justice.

Fusion Arts classroom - EMBS language students

Staff, students, and teachers thoroughly enjoyed their lesson at the art gallery space, expressing enthusiasm and a desire for more such experiences to occur regularly.

Leaders of Tomorrow

Bronze Arts Award in collaboration with YWMP

Supporting young women, trans and non-binary teens in building confidence and self esteem though music making and gaining their bronze arts award. 7 sessions; including a living room style gig at 13 The Square. Recognised qualification equivalent of half a GCSE - increasing access to arts & music.

LisaMadeIt mural with St Mary's St John

Fusion Arts supported local artist Lisa Curtis to deliver a mural inspired by core values at St Mary and St John Primary School's. Worked with 50 children as part of their Discovery Art Awards in March. This was Lisa’s first in school project. This project was part of Fusion’s work for the Oxford Cultural Education Partnership.

Oxford Community Action - Community holiday workshops with young people and families

Increasing fun, connectivity and access to arts and creativity. We delivered Monoprint & Collage workshop for 36 children at Templars Square Shopping Centre. Children enjoyed the printing and collaging. Every child engaged in the activities and the parent volunteers let us know how special it

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

was to have access to printing techniques and how excited the children were to try it out.

Sirkane Darkroom is an exhibition of selection of photographs created and printed by participants at the Sirkhane Darkroom. Sirkhane Darkroom is a not for profit organisation in southern Turkey, working close to the border with Syria, that brings joy and creativity to children and young people affected by conflict and disaster. Collaboration with Artist Serbest Salih.

These works were exhibited alongside

Rory Carnegies ‘Autoportraits’ is an exhibition of selection of images from the artist’s ongoing Autoportrait project. The images made between 1992 and 1994 explore authorship, power and the perception of power. Forming part of Photo Oxford 2023.

Make it Mandatory

Fundraiser and campaign launch Make it Mandatory – Teach DV team established in 2022 (led by Faustine Petron Fusion Arts Summer Intern 2022) are campaigning to have Domestic Violence and information about abuse taught in secondary school up to 16-18 years old.

Wet Grain, Issue Four Launch

A night of poetry readings by Laura Varnam, Isabelle Baafi, Jamie Cameron, Laura Theis, and Madeleine Lamm celebrating the launch of Wet Grain in Oxford! Wet Grain was founded by Patrick Romero McCafferty who is programme lead for Fusions Creative Writing hub. Wet Grain, is a print magazine that champions new poetry in English.

Grail Exhibiton

A pop up exhibition for Ruskin School of Art students: Antonia Jameson and Hugo Max.

Merging Minds Exhibition

Merging Minds is a live multiplayer art installation, that has been co-created as a result of a collaboration between artist/creative technologist duo Yambe Tam & Albert Barbu and the ‘Rethinking Collective Minds’ research strand, part of the Welcome Centre of Ethics and Humanities at the University of Oxford (WEH).

The work explores the philosophical questions of how we think and act as collectives; a phenomenon made increasingly more sophisticated through technological advances, brain-computer interfaces and digital social networks. As artists in residence, Yambe Tam & Albert Barbu have developed a bespoke multiplayer art video game and accompanying sculptural artworks, which are inspired by this line of research at the WEH

The Apparition

"The Apparition," featuring the works of five artists who have recently graduated from The Ruskin School of Art's Master of Fine Art (MFA) program. Yulia Kim, Benji Thomas, India Bruckner, Yingfei Lyu, and Lucy Meeber are all set to showcase their thought-provoking creations

Resonate Bodies

Resonate Bodies is an exhibition that seeks to give voice to marginalised experiences within healthcare, with an emphasis on the lived experiences of disabled artists and women.

Fusion Arts Oxford has collaborated with curator Phoenix Hunt and artists Delphi Campbell, Meg Erridge, and Laura Campbell to host the RESONATE BODIES exhibition at 95 Gloucester Green.

IN BLOOM Exhibition

In partnership with TORCH, the Humanities Cultural Programme and Institute for Ethics in AI ‘In Bloom' is a story of redemption, overcoming the darkest days in one's life to find light again.

In collaboration with Oxford University, virtual + augmented reality artist Estella Tse shares her story of overcoming Complex PTSD and debilitating Depression through her immersive art. You'll find moments, snapshots, and explorations from four of Estella's phases: The Darkest Days, Recovering and Doing the Work, Rebuild, and Thrive. Each piece is a seedling that shapes and colours the larger

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

ecosystem of Estella's life and growth.

Visitors were able to experience VR and AR and cutting edge technology and art.

A Side for Everyone

Collaborating and supporting Ruskin Art School - group student show 29 Students take over the Gloucester Green Gallery to practice and gain experience creating and exhibition and working together.

Through Our Eyes

Hosted an exhibition created and curated by Oxfordshire Homelessness provides a chance to view life from a different perspective and see the daily challenges and joys through the eyes and art of individuals experiencing homelessness.

HOPIA Exhibition

How have the people of Sudan built resilient communities in the past and present? 'A History of Ordinary People in Africa' (HOPIA) is a cultural heritage project consisting of a series of historical exhibitions. It is undertaken by members of the Oxford University Africa Society in partnership with Fusion Arts and supported by TORCH as part of the Humanities Cultural Programme, and the Oxford African Studies Centre. This was a fundraising art auction raising £2,020.

Speed of Trust

Rosie McLean solo exhibition supported through DYCP Arts Council England. An immersive art installation of glass sculptures, hangings, lighting, soundscapes, and a personal essay, viewers are encouraged to explore our connections with one another and the world.

Window Galleries

Innovative partnership with the Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels established in 2020 we created a new gallery space for the city.

The project connects and supports Oxford’s communities, creating a lively space for the public to experience inspiring work by local artists. Rejuvenating the area in this manner helps bring vibrance and intrigue to the otherwise empty windows that so many people pass by each day.

This year, the #WindowGalleries have hosted:

The Braille Philosophy Object - Seeun Kim display in the Window Galleries will be a range of metalwork that features passages from the works of William Shakespeare that have been inscribed in braille.

Voices from Death Row - This exhibition have been created in order to shed the light on the injustice and brutality of capital punishment, while providing a voice and humanising the people affected by this practice. Curated and organised by Amelia Inglis

CUT Campaign – Cut Campaign is an emergent UK solidarity campaign which aims to stop greenwashing and import of this ‘dirty’ timber to Britain from Sarawak, in Malaysian Borneo.

Into Connection - Gaby Soly’s thought provoking artwork interrogates our relationship with trees and questions our societal and personal constructs around the idea of ‘enough’.

Connected to the co-op - Textile artist Ann Tutt is showing a collection of work which is multifaceted, taking a wry look at imitation in the fashion industry whilst exploring the emotions of feeling like an outsider artist.

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

Oxford Ankara - This project has resulted in a mesmerizing collection of printed textiles that narrate the story of Oxford to the people of Lagos, Nigeria.

Finding Our Way - A research collaboration between Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities with Unlocking the Chains Collective. It explores the African-Caribbean experience in Oxford through performance and imagines new ways of creating and inhabiting archives.

Caribbean Living Room Window Galleries - This reconstruction of a 1960s West Indian front room offers a glimpse into the vibrant lives and experiences of the Windrush Generation

Sirkhane Darkroom - This exhibition is a selection of photographs created and printed by participants at the Sirkhane Darkroom. Follow on Exhibition from 95 Gloucester Green.

Uprooted - An enchanting exhibition of soft sculptures. Ellie Thompson takes us on a journey into the unexpected, exploring the emotion of schadenfreude through her captivating creations.

I thought I caught a glimpse of your reflection - This captivating collection of paintings by Meg Erridge offers a profound exploration of time, decay, and the juxtaposition of history within the Oxford's Natural History Museum.

Migration & Memories - An Asian diasporic journey into the life and lens of Ho Mah Soon , a local resident whose legacy is set to be celebrated through an extraordinary posthumous showcase.

A Place to Hide - These paintings by Mills Brown celebrate finding refuge in nature, and collecting warm summer moments in preparation of winter.

Our World, Our Futures - This new study funded by Oxford Brookes University - Our World, Our Futures connects researchers, primary school teachers and children in two countries the UK and the Maldives – to develop an exciting cross-curricular Environmental Education and Global Citizenship project.

There is No Door, Yet There are many Windows - Showing Georgia Arden-Crowther - The exhibition symbolizes hope and comfort, showcasing personalized windows created by residents of Vale House Specialist Care Home. Led by Artist & Art Psychotherapist in training, Georgia ArbenCrowther.

Oxford Cultural Anti-Racism Alliance

In April 2020, Fusion Arts met with community and cultural organisations across the city. Created to respond to, and combat racism, through collaborative action Oxford Cultural Anti-Racism Alliance was launched and Fusion was one of the many signatories of the Alliance's manifesto.

The aim of the Alliance is to get organisations in Oxford's arts and cultural sector to commit individually and collectively to dismantling systematic racism within the sector and across wider society.

By signing the manifesto, Fusion has committed to radical and lasting cultural change, taking an active anti-racist stance and ensuring that there is meaningful representation of people from the Global Majority across Oxford's cultural sector.

We have established programmes of training for the sector.

Fusion Arts still leads alongside other cultural partners as a founding member of the Steering Committee

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

Green Arts Oxfordshire Network

We have supported and led on the establishment of the Green Arts Oxfordshire Network in collaboration with Tandem Collective since 2020. The network is designed to help catalyse environmentally friendly actions amongst Oxfordshire artists and cultural organisations and charter our collective commitment to environmental justice.

The network had a successful soft launch in January 2021, which was attended by over 50 artists and individuals from Oxfordshire cultural organisations. Discussions revealed the need for guidance, community, pledges and support around achieving ecological goals.

Fusion Arts has successfully incubated this highly regarded local project. As GAON grows it has been bale to redistribute materials and equipment, encouraged sharing and collaboration across the network. Supported Cultural events such as Marmalade and Big Green Week.

GAON has established a Carbon Literacy Training programme specifically tailored to Oxfordshire and artists and cultural organsiations. This training programme is accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project.

Redevelopment of East Oxford Community Centre

The Fusion Arts Centre has been a hub for creativity in the local area. Using the centre, we have been able to support multiple diverse groups, multi-arts, exhibitions, events, collaborations between organisations, community and artists. As well as being one of Oxford’s most important arts and youth spaces, Fusion Arts Centre has become established as one of Oxford’s most important Grassroots music venues, hosting local, national and international acts throughout the year, including events for all ages and all-day festivals.

Redevelopment of East Oxford Community Centre has been planned for many years. The redevelopment plan currently includes the demolition and replacement of Fusion Arts Centre. Due to uncertainties created through COVID-19 and the global economic turndown the future and security of the project were unclear. Poor communication from Oxford City Council (landlord and project partner) meant that our work at the Fusion Arts Centre was severely interrupted. Since the beginning of the planning process in 2015 Fusion Arts championed and centered social value and human centric design. We have asked that construction and refurbishment to be environmentally responsible. We have demanded that the building's future function is best practice regarding accessibility as well as usability and is welcoming to all from the community. We have also demanded economic responsibility going forward regarding management of the space with the ‘rent’ of the asset being accessible to community groups to still use the space and that the site supports local community groups.

In early May 2022 Fusion Arts said goodbye to our beloved Community Arts Centre. We eagerly await this next chapter. Project was due for completion between November 2023 - March 2024. Delays mean that the estimate delivery of the programme by Oxford City Council will be October 2025

Fusion has continued to be able to operate by activating numerous meanwhile spaces – activating disused shops and taking advantage to operate from empty buildings. This has enabled us to continue our work but without the community hub that was East Oxford Community Centre which was a key element of our success and a springboard for many of our projects. As a mitigation we look to open more spaces for our community and activity across the city.

This is a very exciting time for Fusion Arts and marks the next chapter in the organisation’s development Fusion Arts was established over 45 years ago in May 1977 and has been based at the Fusion Arts Centre, East Oxford Community Centre ever since.

It is also a very important moment for the local East Oxford communities and a commitment to Oxford’s communities, the arts, social justice and wellbeing. A once in a lifetime opportunity of civic community building to create a new East Oxford Community Centre.

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Community Darkroom – Due to the Closure of Fusion Arts Centre the Community Darkroom needed to be broken down. Although much of the equipment is in storage we were able to create a small set up in one of the studios for use by artists and team and hope to reopen the community darkroom if a new venue becomes available in 2023-24.

Young Person’s Drawing Club (YPDC) & East Oxford Drawing School– Programme is currently on hold due to the East Oxford Community Centre for redevelopment. We intend to reactivate at an alternative venue in 2023-24.

Notable partners 2023-24s include:

African Caribbean Kultural Heritage Initiative (ACKHI), Kuumba Nia Arts, Parasol Project, Luxmuralis, Tandem Collective, Young Women’s Music Project (YWMP), Ruskin Arts School, Modern Art Oxford, Fig Studio, IF Science Festival, Cultural Partners Group OCC, FloFest / GloFest, East Oxford Youth Partnership Board, Cultural Education Partnership Board, Restore, Bounce Design, Drop All Words, Safehouse Studios, BKLUWO, Museum of Oxford, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Christmas Light Festival, Pitt Rivers Museum, Bodleian Libraries, Museum of the History of Science, Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, Botanic Gardens, GLAM partnership, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Brookes Sonic Art Research Unit, Divine Schism, Oxford, EMBS, Age UK, Creative Dementia Arts Network (CDAN), Oxford Playhouse, Oxford Community Action, Warehouse Arts School, Oxfordshire Schools include; Rose Hill Primary, Wood Farm Primary, Bayards Hill Primary, West Oxford Community Primary, Wolvercote Primary, St Barnabas Primary, Church Cowley St James Primary, St Andrew’s C of E Primary, Windmill Primary, East Oxford Primary, Cheney (Secondary), the Virtual School for Looked after Children and Care Leavers, Rhodes Trust, Berry Youth Club, Berins Centre, Soboman 219 Art SpaceTemplars Square Shopping Centre – New River Retail REIT, Community Spaces, Rose Hill Youth Club, Rose Hill Community Group, African School, Love Your Plane, Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels, Oxford City Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of the White Horse District Council.

Fusion Arts actively embeds artist development opportunities throughout projects from planning to delivery.

Financial Review

Reserves

Due to the impact of the cost of living crisis on our funding opportunities and temporarily losing our main premises, and therefore main source of income due to redevelopment, we have spent down our operational reserves in 2023-24, which we target to rebuild in the coming year to three months operating RESERVES.

The Board continues to closely monitor the funding position of the organisation to adjust and take decisions appropriately.

Application of reserves: The Board intends that the reserve is established and preserved as a fund to ensure business continuity in the event of a temporary funding shortfall or an ultimate decision to wind up operations, requiring a close-down period. However, the Board considers the following applications to be valid uses of funds placed in the reserve over and above the base level of three months’ operating funds.

1) Business Support: core support to the business designed to advance its activities or strengthen its resources including funding of additional resources, human or material.

2) Development funds: small allocations to permit development of new initiatives in the absence of other developmental funds being secured.

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

3) Stability reserve: further building of the base reserve level, considering inflationary pressures on budget and/or the impact of increased staffing or other costs on the three-month operating costs reserve level.

In the case of uses being proposed under 1) or 2), the Board will receive, in advance of any commitment being entered, a costed proposal for consideration, along with indication of method and timing of restoration of any temporary depletion of the base Reserves level.

In the case of use under 3), the Board will be advised by the Director, in consultation with the Treasurer, of any amounts drawn down for business continuity purposes, the underlying reasons for this and the plans for restoration of the reserves to the established level.

Future Plans

In line with Fusion Art’s Business, Development and Funding Plans, Fusion intends to collaborate and work in partnership with multiple diverse communities and organisations to increase access to the arts and improve lives through opportunity to take part in creative practice.

Ongoing projects include Story Makers, Oxford Light Festival (Illuminating Oxford & Lantern Parades), These Things Matter with Museum of Colour. We are creating more public art programmes and also working across the county in areas such as Berinsfield and Didcot as we help communities recover from the COVID19 Pandemic and its effects to meet the needs of our communities.

We have developed skills and expertise regarding activation of vacant and underused spaces and have plans to expand and develop our meaningful temporary spaces and pop-ups to increase access to the arts and opportunities for artists and communities through provision of studios, exhibition and rehearsal spaces whilst also increasing support for local artists through innovative artist residencies and employment.

Fusion Arts is developing a new business plan and organisational structure. Fusion Arts is working in partnership with stakeholder communities and organisations alongside Oxford City Council to envisage a new East Oxford Community Centre, increasing new opportunities to develop and enhance its outputs and engage with more communities.

Fusion is helping to develop the Oxford Cultural Anti-Racism Alliance. Fusion is leading and incubating projects such as Green Arts Oxfordshire Network. Fusion is supporting other organisations to make changes that are of social, community and environmental value

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2024

Directors

The following persons served as directors throughout the year unless otherwise stated. They are also Trustees under charity law, constitute the Members of Council and have no beneficial interest in the charitable company.

Andrew John McLellan (Vice-Chair – resigned Sept 2023) Roger McKenzie (Co-Chair) Sally McKone (Treasurer) Lisia Newmark Regina Ndhlovu (Co-Chair)

The Members of Council guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of winding up. The total amount of such guarantees at 31 March 2024 was £4 (2023: £5).

Regina Ndhlovu & Roger McKenzie

Co-Chair ……………………2025

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 18 to 26.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

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

Independent examiner's statement

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

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 accounts to be reached.

Mr Anthony Haines BSc FCA Partner Wenn Townsend, Chartered Accountants Oxford

…………………… 2025

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2024

Note Unrestricted Restricted 2024 Unrestricted Restricted 2023
Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Incoming resources from generated funds:
Donations, legacies and grants 56,621 50,109 106,730 51,942 29,065 81,007
Income from charitable activities:
- Project income 5,137 42,000 47,137 3,561 3,200 6,761
- Programme income 30,385 23,770 54,155 23,445 5,979 29,424
- Sundry income 9,402 - 9,402 28 - 28
────── ────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
TOTAL INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS 2 101,545 115,879 217,424 78,976 38,244 117,220
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities 3 72,552 53,187 125,739 129,955 48,440 178,395
Support and governance costs 3 54,914 1,346 56,260 61,045 3,427 64,472
────── ────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 127,466 54,533 181,999 191,000 51,867 242,867
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
Net resources expended 4 (25,921) 61,346 35,425 (112,024) (13,623) (125,647)
Transfers between funds 15,104 (15,104) - 11,322 (11,322) -
────── ────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
Net movement in funds (10,817) 46,242 35,425 (100,702) (24,945) (125,647)
Funds at 1 April 2023 21,042 (3,452) 17,590 121,744 21,493 143,237
────── ────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
Funds at 31 March 2024 11 10,225 42,790 53,015 21,042 (3,452) 17,590
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Included within unrestricted funds at 31 March 2024 is £nil (2023: £nil) relating to designated funds and £10,225 (2023: £18,852) general funds. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised during the year.

The notes on pages 20 to 25 form part of these financial statements.

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Balance Sheet
as at 31 March 2024
Note 2024 2023
£ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 7 1,314 1,996
Current assets
Debtors 8
20,126		 18,701
Cash at bank and in hand 61,004 38,444
────── ──────
81,130 57,145
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 9
(29,429)		 (41,551)
────── ──────
Net current assets 51,701 15,594
────── ──────
Net assets 10 53,015 17,590
═════ ═════
Funds
Unrestricted funds 11 10,225 21,042
Restricted funds 11 42,790 (3,452)
────── ──────
53,015 17,590
═════ ═════

The directors are satisfied that the company was entitled to exemption section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 and that members have not required an audit in accordance with section 476.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The financial statements were approved by the Board on ………………………... 2025 and signed on its behalf by

Regina Ndhlovu Chair

Company number: 02089425

The notes on pages 20 to 25 form part of these financial statements

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011, the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective October 2019) (Charity SORP FRS 102) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Incoming resources

Voluntary income received by way of donations and grants to the charity is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable, receipt is reasonably certain, and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Income from legacies is accounted for on a receivable basis, and is recognised in full in the statement of financial activities in the period in which receipt becomes certain.

All other discretionary income is recognised on a receivable basis in the statement of financial activities.

Income generated from the supply of services is included in the statement of financial activities in the period in which the supply is made.

All of the income generated in the year has been derived from activities wholly undertaken in the UK.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are built up from incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purpose. They are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Designated funds are funds set aside out of unrestricted funds by the Council and applied towards specific purposes as identified by the Council.

Restricted funds are funds used for specified purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure meeting the criteria is charged against the fund, together with a fair allocation of overheads and support costs.

Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of those resources.

Governance costs are those incurred in connection with the administration of the charity regarding compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

1. Accounting Policies (continued)

Resources expended (continued)

Staff costs and overhead expenses are allocated to activities on the basis of staff time spent on those activities.

Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to the expenditure.

Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided on fixed assets using the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its anticipated useful life.

Plant and machinery 33% reducing balance Computer equipment 33% reducing balance

2. Income

In the opinion of the trustees, none of the income of the company is attributable to geographical markets outside the UK (2023: none).

3. Charitable expenditure

Furthering Support Governance 2024 2023
Charity Costs Costs Total Total
£ £ £ £ £
Wages and salaries 54,658 27,329 - 81,987 99,100
Project costs 66,595 - - 66,595 101,606
Travel and subsistence 410 - - 410 833
Office and workshop - 12,434 - 12,434 8,743
Telephone costs - 456 - 456 1,119
Printing, postage and stationery 1,360 373 - 1,733 8,221
Advertising and publicity 845 - - 845 2,955
Training and subscriptions 1,691 - - 1,691 483
Insurance - 3,573 - 3,573 4,262
Accountancy fees - 7,200 3,000 10,200 9,383
Sundry expenses 180 170 - 350 541
Depreciation - 683 - 683 1,122
Recruitment - - - - 100
Website - 1,002 - 1,002 4,228
Legal fees - - 40 40 171
────── ──────
──────		 ────── ──────
125,739 53,220 3,040 181,999 242,867
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════ ═════

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

4. Net (resources expended) / incoming resources for the year

2024 2023
£ £
This is stated after charging:
Independent examiner’s fee 3,000 3,000
Depreciation 683 1,122
═════ ═════

5.

Staff costs and numbers

Staff costs and numbers
2024 2023
£ £
Salaries and wages - gross 80,203 97,217
Pension 1,784 1,883
───── ─────
81,987 99,100
═════ ═════

The average weekly number of employees (full-time equivalent) during the year was as follows:

Direct charitable activities 2 2
Management and administration 1 1
───── ─────
Total employed staff 3 3
Freelance staff 4 4
───── ─────
Total staff 7 7
═════ ═════

No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 per annum for either 2024 or 2023.

In addition to employed staff, many freelance staff also support the charity on an ad hoc basis. The full time equivalent of these staff is estimated above.

The Trustees of the charity, who are also the key management personnel, received no remuneration during the year (2023: £nil).

No Trustees had expenses reimbursed by the charity (2023: £nil).

6. Taxation

The charity is not in receipt of income chargeable to taxation. All of its income is applied for charitable purposes.

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

7. Tangible fixed assets

7. Tangible fixed assets
Plant & Fixtures & Computer Total
machinery fittings equipment
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 April 2023 4,804 1,123 22,955 28,882
Additions - - - -
────── ────── ────── ──────
At 31 March 2024 4,804 1,123 22,955 28,882
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023 4,740 1,123 21,023 26,886
Charge for the year 21 - 661 682
────── ────── ────── ──────
At 31 March 2024 4,761 1,123 21,684 27,568
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
Net book values
At 31 March 2024 43 - 1,271 1,314
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
At 31 March 2023 64 - 1,932 1,996
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
8. Debtors
2024 2023
£ £
Trade debtors 15,179 11,513
Prepayments 4,947 7,188
────── ──────
20,126 18,701
══════ ══════
9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024 2023
£ £
Trade creditors 12,251 11,683
Taxes and social security 7,728 2,677
Accruals and deferred income 3,750 3,600
Other creditors 5,700 23,591
────── ──────
29,429 41,551
══════ ══════

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

10. Analysis of net assets between funds

2024 Designated General Restricted 2024
Fund Fund Funds Total
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets - 1,314 - 1,314
Current assets - 38,340 42,790 81,130
Current liabilities - (29,429) - (29,429)
────── ────── ────── ──────
Net Assets at 31 March 2024 - 10,225 42,790 53,015
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
2023 Designated General Restricted 2023
Fund Fund Funds Total
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets - 1,996 - 1,996
Current assets - 57,145 - 57,145
Current liabilities - (38,099) (3,452) (41,551)
────── ────── ────── ──────
Net Assets at 31 March 2023 - 21,042 (3,452) 17,590
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

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Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

11. Movement in funds 2024

Movement in funds 2024 Movement in funds 2024
Opening Incoming Outgoing Closing
balance Resources Resources Transfer balance
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted Funds:
CLF23 - 1,230 (1,838) 608 -
Connections Through Culture - 8,000 (3,942) (1000) 3,058
Creative Writing Hub - - (320) - (320)
UKSPF Berinsfield /Garden Towns
-		 32,000 (10,826) (7,900) 13,274
OCARA - 18,000 (2,755) (400) 14,845
OCEP Mural 3,250 - (2,900) (350) -
SLDM 22 - - (395) 395 -
Story Makers 3 and 3.2 14,546 23,933 (14,180) (3,314) 20,985
Street Arts – Rose Hill 500 - - - 500
WriteOn 447 - (342) (105) -
Green Arts (23,148) 32,716 (17,035) (2,085) (9,552)
Wetlands 953 - - (953) -
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
(3,452) 115,879 (54,533) (15,104) 42,790
Unrestricted Funds
General 21,042 101,545 (127,466) 15,104 10,225
Designated - - - - -
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
Total Funds 17,590 217,424 (181,999) - 53,015
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ═════

Transfers relate to overspends on some restricted projects being covered by unrestricted income, management fees and apportionments of overheads. Additionally, some relate to closure of the specific restricted funds and recognition of the costs previously having been absorbed by the general fund.

Restricted funds

- 25 -

Fusion Oxford’s Community Arts Agency Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

11. Movement in funds 2023
Opening Incoming Outgoing Closing
balance Resources Resources Transfer balance
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted Funds:
Inside Out Outside In 3,163 - - (3,163) -
Sensational Books 5,069 - (3,179) (1,890) -
Story Makers 3 and 3.2 9,468 17,950 (12,872) - 14,546
Street Arts – Rose Hill 500 - - - 500
Lanterns 2022 - 5,500 (4,671) (829) -
WriteOn 5,658 (2,671) (2,540) - 447
SOUAB (2,365) 2,365 (475) 475 -
Leaders of Tomorrow 2,200 - (2,200)
Green Arts - 3,000 (26,148) - (23,148)
OCEP Mural - 3,250 - - 3,250
SLDM 2022 - 4,350 (635) (3,715) -
Wetlands - 2,300 (1,347) - 953
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
21,493 38,244 (51,867) (11,322) (3,452)
Unrestricted Funds
General 66,744 78,976 (191,000) 66,322 21,042
Designated 55,000 - - (55,000) -
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
Total Funds 143,237 117,220 (242,867) - 17,590
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ═════

12. Related parties

There were no related party transactions in the current or preceding year.

- 25 -