Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 05/06/2024 Period start date To 04/06/2025 Period end date
Charity name: Usurp Art
Charity registration number: 1183720
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | For public benefit to promote and foster the understanding and appreciation of diverse, multi - media art, and creativity. To advance education and learning in creative practices, in particular but not exclusively, by providing events, programmes, training, tours, residencies, talks, exhibitions, performances, publications, screenings and collaborative projects. To further such other purposes which may be charitable according to the law of England and Wales as the trustees see fit from time to time. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Online and in person activities: During the year, the charity’s activities focused on publishing, exhibitions, artist development, public programming, eco and welfare projects, and sector support. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment
Contribution made by Para 1.38 volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Publications and Research: Supported and advised on, and participated in, a number of significant publications that contribute to cultural discourse and expand access to under-represented histories: Shining Lights– a major publication highlighting overlooked artistic contributions by Black Women Photographers– an important research-led publication documenting and celebrating the work and legacy of their art that helped fuel the women’s liberation movement during a period of significant social, economic and political change. We Are Your Children– published by Pan Macmillan centring LGBTQ+ narratives and lived experiences sharing the still urgently important work of our communities' histories with young people in ways that are accessible and inclusive. It combines a sensitive retelling of the challenges LGBTQ+ people faced in the past with the possibility, resistance and joy for the future. Promotion of the rare book_Red Threads_to gallery bookshops such as Tate Britain – a seminal publication exploring interconnected artistic and cultural histories highlighting British South Asian LGBTQ+ communities. These publications have been disseminated widely and contribute to both academic research and public understanding. Events, exhibitions, public programmes symposia and conferences Participation and support of a number of high-profile public events: Shining Lights Symposium, delivered in partnership with the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, brought together scholars, artists, and audiences to explore themes emerging from the publication. Symposium Unfinished Histories Theatre Conference, which provided a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue across performance, visual arts, and critical theory. These events enhancedpublic engagement |
and facilitated knowledge exchange across sectors. Our advisory research and wider access to our archive seeks to tackle the lack of representation, raising the profile of diverse practices, highlighting potentials in pushing increased diversity, with interviews and focus groups. Exhibitions and Commissions The charity played a key role in exhibitions and artist commissions: Storms of the Heart , a major commissioning project in collaboration with Tate Modern, supported five new LGBTQ+ artists in the creation of original works, significantly contributing to representation in contemporary art. Contribution to The Tate 80s Exhibition, which toured to wider audiences, extending access to important narratives in modern and contemporary art history. Performances and Cultural Events A series of events at Cafe OTO showcased experimental and interdisciplinary artistic practices, supporting both emerging and established artists. Education and Artist Development Mentoring Programme: The charity delivered online mentoring programmes for art students, providing guidance, critique, and professional development opportunities. Participation in the Dosits Acoustics Course: This course offered specialised training in sound and acoustics, expanding participants’ technical skills and creative practice. These initiatives contributed to skills development and increased access to professional pathways in the arts. Metroland Project – domestic eco gardens where we are based. This project continued into Spring and Summer months using our resources at hand in the gardens for sharing, learning and devising ways of living. This project is developing to guide us on how our charity may grow permanently in this domestic environment. Support Services The charity continued to provide direct support to artists and practitioners, including: Grant advice and application support. In addition, we continued our practical assistance within our communities. Guidance on navigating the arts sector: These services are particularly valued by early-career and underrepresented artists, helping to reduce barriers to participation. We continued our involvement with arts organisations and advisors online and in person exhibitions, talks and meetings. These ongoing relationships help to develop
capacity and knowledge to open up services and skills to benefit communities. Some societal issues continue such as the cost of living, austerity and the repercussions of the pandemic are still taking their toll on some of the most vulnerable and we continue to support with practical advice and social care, which is something we are actively looking at to incorporate for future years. We continue to consolidate our achievements and plan for future projects, long-term legacy and building beyond scarcity.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Usurp Art maintains itself efficiently fiscally and it’s financial position is stable. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Usurp Art has a reserves policy to maintain a prudent level of reserves to protect it’s future and in case of closure, ensuring that wind up costs are covered. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £39000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed,royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Foundation |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association,CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Appointed by a resolution passed at trustees meeting |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and Para 1.51 training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | UsurpArt |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | Usurp,UsurpArt Space,UsurpArt Gallery& Studios |
| Registered charitynumber | 1183720 |
| Charity’s principal address | Usurp, 5 Brayford Square London E1 0SG |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POULOMI DESAI | ||||
| SIMON UNDERWOOD |
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| DENESH BHABUTA |
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| MARGARET TROTTER |
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| MANJIT ROOPRAH |
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Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) |
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) SIMON UNDERWOOD Position (eg Secretary, Trustee Chair, etc) Date 25/03/2026
| USURP ART | USURP ART | USURP ART | 1183720 | CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts andpayments accounts | |||||
| For the period from |
05/06/24 | To | 04/06/25 | ||
| Section A Receipts and | payments | ||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
Activities for generating funds |
8,915 | - | - | 8,915 | - |
| Investment income | 948 | - | - | 948 | - |
| - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 9,863 | - | - | 9,863 | - |
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||
| - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||
9,863 |
- | - | 9,863 | - | |
Charitable activites |
3,683 | - | - | 3,683 | - |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub total | 3,683 | - | - | 3,683 | - |
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||
| - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||
| 3,683 | - | - | 3,683 | - | |
| 6,180 | - | - |
6,180 |
- | |
| - | **- ** | - | - | - | |
| 15,097 | - | - | |||
| 21,277 | - | 21,277 |
# - |
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the | end of the period | end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Details | Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|
| 21,277 | - | ||||
| Fixed deposits - reserves | - | 39,116 | - | ||
| - | - | - | |||
| Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
21,277 | 39,116 | - | ||
| OK | OK | OK | |||
| Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
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Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
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Amount due (optional) |
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| Services and utilities / overheads | unrestricted | ||||
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| Signature | Name | ||||
| Date of approval | |||||
| SIMON UN | DERWOOD | 26/03/26 | |||
| 1 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
29/03/26