Charity no. 1169287
Prodigal Arts
Receipts and Payments Accounts
31 March 2021
Prodigal Arts
Reference and administrative details
For the year ended 31 March 2021
Charity number 1169287 Registered office and Prodigal Arts operational address The Studio Suite 322 179 Whiteladies Road Bristol BS8 2AG
Trustees
The trustees are who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows: Andrew Street Chair Richard Hiscoke Peter Gifford Treasurer
1
Prodigal Arts
Report of the trustees
For the year ended 31 March 2021
Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and the constitution.
Objectives and activities
The objects of the CIO are to:
-
Promote the rehabilitation of offenders and ex-offenders; and
-
Prevent or relieve poverty or financial hardship among offenders; and ex-offenders, in particular but not exclusively by, the provision of equipment and training in art, and the provision of a mentoring programme, with the aim of helping offenders and ex-offenders to realise their creative talent and acquire creative skills which will assist them with re-integrating into the community, developing a responsible work ethic, and provide them with links to employment opportunities.
Prodigal Arts is a charity working with talented artistic offenders with a view to helping their rehabilitation through the arts.
Since the outbreak of Covid-19, and the first UK lockdown in March 2020, the usual activities of the charity have been curtailed. It has not been possible to run our usual in-person mentoring sessions within the prison environment. The charity has though, continued to profile artwork on the website, and maintained contact with the 6 'Artists on the Out.'
The artists have been provided with a new art project every few months. The projects span various themes and are supported by weekly bespoke mentoring sessions. Successful pieces have been showcased on the Prodigal Arts website, as well as made into postcards and greetings cards for sale online and at events. Those during the financial year were:
Jan 2021 New Beginnings
After a positive conversation with one of our Prodigal Artists in early 2021 about putting the past behind us and looking to a brighter future, the idea for our 2021 ‘New Beginnings’ theme was born. It felt very apt that a theme everyone can relate to during this time came so serendipitously through our post-release art mentoring work. It is our hope that through the experiences of lockdown that we have all shared, we can hold more empathy for those who find themselves lockeddown continuously in our prison systems. ‘New Beginnings’ is a theme to signify a positive start to a new year, in any way that feels symbolic to our artists.
March 2021 Still Life
A timeless theme to revisit as something to keep creativity flowing at home during this last stage of nationwide lockdown.
Agreement was reached with the Governor of HMP Leyhill to recommence art mentoring in the prison. The charity has also been in discussion with the management of a Youth Detention Centre close to Bristol, where again the hope is to commence art classes for children and young people within the 1017 age range.
As stated in our report for the financial year ending 31 March 2020, the plan had been to extend the work of the charity to other prisons over the next 12-18 months, subject to funding being in place. Unfortunately due to the ongoing pandemic, this aim has yet to come to fruition, but it remains a current aspiration.
Artwork previously lent to Courtside Surgery, Spire Café Clifton, Leyhill Grounds Cafe, and Lloyds Bank’s Bristol HQ has remained on public display and is available for ongoing sale.
As part of charity Changing Tunes’ annual concert in November 2021, Prodigal Arts executed a ‘popup’ exhibition in the foyer of Redland Church Hall, exhibiting various artworks, both historical and new, to a 150+ concertgoers. Various prints, postcards and greetings cards were sold. Email addresses were gathered for the Prodigal Arts mailing list and the show was considered a success in further raising the profile of the charity after the absence of public appearance during the pandemic.
A collection of work made throughout the last two years is to be showcased at a spring 2022 exhibition titled ‘Art in Lockdown’, The show will aim to give insight into the hard work and creative persistence the artists have demonstrated as we’ve navigated through the murky waters of the last couple of years, and how they have triumphed with their art in spite of unpredictability.
The exhibitions and the sales aim to build self-worth and thereby contributes to the successful rehabilitation of the artists. It is hoped that the sale proceeds will encourage and facilitate the creative talents of the artists, particularly once they join our 'Artists on the Out' programme, in being used for a positive creative purpose rather than for negative purposes. The positive social impact of our work on the mentees is best illustrated by a number of the comments made by them.
Post year end activities
Since the end of the financial year, there have been 4 projects with Artists on the Out:
May 2021:
Inspired by the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in the UK, and consequently many people and communities re-connecting and rebuilding, we constructed the apt theme of connection .
August 2021 - Change:
Change - How can you show change or narrative over three pieces of artwork? You could comment on Covid-19, Climate Change, something microscopic or unfathomably large, or perhaps some personal narrative of your choice, the possibilities are endless! So long as there is a clear evolution across three (or more if you wish) pieces of artwork. A project to encourage the use of narrative over three or more artworks. December 2021:
Christmas card commissions, a specific theme to adhere to for charity Sixty One as part of their Christmas gift pack for four prisons in the South-West.
January 2022 - ‘Art In Lockdown’
Turning the focus of the artists onto the spring exhibition, to create artwork that reflects the last two years.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Achievements and performance
In addition to the achievements set out in the section above, the other main achievements of the charity during the financial year are set out below:
-
Christmas cards commissioned by the charity Sixty One for its 'Christmas Gift Initiative'. About 1,600 cards were distributed to four prisons in the Bristol / South West region;
-
The Parole Board featuring artwork by some of its associate artists and 'Artists on the Out' in its 2020/2021 Annual Accounts and Report.
The positive social impact of our work on the mentees is best illustrated by a number of the comments made by them:
Andrew:
“Involvement with Prodigal Arts has increased my confidence and self-worth. I’ve had very positive feedback that gave me a new identity rather than just being a prisoner. My art continues to grow in terms of skill and ambition. I want to explore new things at my own pace and tackle issues that matter – through visual representations.
I have learned to adapt my art to appeal to my viewers whilst retaining my skills and ideas. I can also produce artwork to suit particular requirements, e.g., Easter, Christmas etc... Mental health issues can be the cause of loneliness, so art helps me to manage that. Art allows me to learn about my subject so I can produce better work. I now think with purpose and meaning.
During the mentoring sessions I enjoyed discussing the initial progression of Prodigal Arts and watching it grow into a registered charity. I now enjoy thoughts of how Prodigal Arts will adapt to future events and how I can improve sales of my own work through the charity. I feel enormously blessed because I know my artwork hangs on walls in people’s houses and they see their own story in what I draw. Prodigal Arts gives prisoners a connection to the outside world, a private piece of self-worth. On release, it can serve as a reminder that you are valued, and you still have an outlet for your creations.
I want to continue with Prodigal Arts, and I always will, I’d like to see the charity expand into different areas to benefit a wider audience and to help prisoners in more prisons. Prodigal Arts gave me hope during difficult parts of my sentence and continues to keep my artistic potential alive back in the community. It helps me with my confidence and gives me structure. I learn many things through art, and I’m so pleased I’ve been with Prodigal Arts since before it came into being.”
Colin:
“Prodigal Arts gives me something to strive for… I am now pursuing my art outside” “[Prodigal Arts] encouraged me to find my own style”
Davey:
“Even though I have many health issues I find that being able to focus on art projects helps with my determination to recover.”
Anon:
“Prodigal Arts has helped me feel ready to return to the community as it has boosted my selfconfidence and give me a new avenue to pursue once I’m out also allows me time for myself and to develop a talent something I found very rare before”
Anon :
“Prodigal Arts has made me think differently about my life now. I will use my arts to help other people I recently commit completed a series of remembrance paintings for a church sale”
Anon:
“Prodigal Arts made me realise talents I didn’t know I had it’s great to know that there are people willing to help us to develop new skills and have a new start”
The impact of our work can also be illustrated by the feedback from those who purchase artwork; all such feedback is in turn passed on to our artists:
Clare, to Andrew:
“It is such an image of Hope. Reading the picture from left to right there is a move from darkness to light. When I’m feeling pushed back or discouraged, your picture helps revive me... Thank you so much for creating this artwork – that really does speak more than a thousand words.”
Tina:
“I want to send you a heartfelt thank you for having created such an astounding piece of art. I'm absolutely in love with it and everyone I proudly show it to shares my excitement.
I have worked in the criminal justice system for 5 years now and as you can see from the photo I have your painting on my desk. Seeing it every day at work truly reminds me why I care about my job.
I really hope that you are well and that you will continuing to create such beautiful art - if ever you do I would love to see it.
Thank you again and all the very best”
Financial review
In common with most of the country, the year has been challenging financially. Income from the sale of artwork was hit from not being able to hold any events or exhibitions which bring in a significant proportion of our sale of original artwork and prints. We invested in rebuilding our website to make it easier for supporters to buy works of art and cards online as well as giving a fuller view of our work to potential partners and donors. Because of the decrease of marketing activity, the charity made use of the Government furlough scheme to reduce its financial overheads, although we topped up the salary of our employees to 100%.
The charity's principal sources of funds are from grant-making charities and from its own income generation, through artwork sales. This comprised of donations of £5,000, grant income of £13,000 and income generation through artwork sales of £2,181. These streams of income comprise the following percentages of total receipts in the year of 25%, 64% and 11%, respectively.
Prodigal Arts aims to keep approximately three months running costs in reserves. This is also to cover emergency unexpected costs. We have met this target during the year ending 31 March 2021, and continue to do so.
The charity's main expenditure during the financial year related to the employment of:
-
Our artistic mentor who delivered all of the mentoring sessions with the Artists on the Out;
-
Our marketing manager, who whilst not on furlough was working on our new website and promoting online sales through regular newsletters and social media posts,
and a delayed payment (from work done in year ending March 2020) to our professional fundraiser whose services we had ceased to use before the start of this financial year.
Approved by the trustees on 31 January 2022 and signed on their behalf by
Richard Hiscoke, Trustee
Prodigal Arts
Receipts and payments account
For the year ended 31 March 2021
| Receipts Grants from trusts Donations and legacies Sale of artwork: sales of prints Sale of artwork: sale of cards Sale of artwork: other commissions Sale of artwork: sales of original artwork Sale of artwork: artwork commissions Subtotal Receipt of loans from trustees Total receipts Payments Payroll expenses: total staff costs Art printing and framing Office and mailbox rent Other Professional Services Fund raising Commission to PA artists Art materials and equipment Exhibition costs Office/general administrative expenses Subsistence Insurances IT and other equipment Travel and accommodation Phone costs Website Costs Advertising and promotion Printing, postage and stationery Bank charges Donation to Victim Support Subtotal Repayment of trustee loans Total payments Net receipts / (payments) Cash funds at 1 April 2020 Cash funds at 31 March 2021 |
12 months to 31 March 2021 £ 13,000 5,000 252 220 722 987 - 20,181 0 20,181 10,066 516 1,375 729 6,600 531 0 0 166 0 476 0 0 187 1,360 24 0 72 0 22,102 0 22,102 -1,921 6,852 4,931 |
12 months to 31 March 2020 £ 26,875 3,518 1,950 1,305 798 314 - |
|---|---|---|
| 34,760 1,000 |
||
| 35,760 | ||
| 20,859 2,411 1,466 1,276 1,200 1,008 918 820 665 490 489 428 293 280 0 224 197 72 67 |
||
| 33,163 3,000 |
||
| 36,163 | ||
| -403 7,255 6,852 |
All income and expenditure for the current and prior period were unrestricted.
Prodigal Arts
Statement of assets and liabilities
As at 31 March 2021
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash Funds | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 4,931 | 6,852 |
| Total cash funds | **4,931 ** | 6,852 |
| Cash Funds | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||
| General Funds | 4,931 | 6,852 |
| Total cash funds | **4,931 ** | 6,852 |
Loans from trustees represent interest free loans provided by two trustees. The amount due to trustees as at 31 March 2021 was £6,000 (2020: £6,000).
Approved by the trustees on 31 January 2022 and signed on their behalf by
Richard Hiscoke, Trustee