## **Trustees’ Annual Report 2024–2025** - **Charity Name** : Punchbag Art Gallery, Charity - **Charity Number** : 1196592 - **Principal Address and HQ** : The Studio, 1A Granville Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4JY - **Bank** : One Bank ## _**Trustees:**_ - **Peter Williams** : Director and CEO - **Isabella Nielsen Williams** : Director - **Benjamin Nielsen-Williams** : Finance Director (ratified at AGM 2024) ## **Vision and Mission Statement** ## **Vision** To create an inclusive and vibrant space where art inspires, empowers, and connects communities, fostering creativity and cultural understanding for generations to come. ## **Mission** Punchbag Art Gallery exists to champion diversity in the arts by showcasing works from underrepresented artists, providing creative opportunities to marginalized individuals, and engaging the local community through dynamic exhibitions, workshops, and collaborative programs. ## **Objectives and Activities** Punchbag Art Gallery is a contemporary, independent gallery with a mission to foster artistic appreciation, accessibility, and innovation. Our charity is dedicated to: 1. Showcasing works from a diverse range of artists, both established and emerging. 2. Encouraging community engagement through exhibitions, workshops, and creative activities. 3. Supporting marginalised and underserved creative individuals by offering them opportunities to share their work. We aim to create a welcoming and inspiring space that benefits artists and the wider community. ## **Governance and Management Structure** The charity is governed by a dedicated board of trustees who oversee its strategic direction, financial health, and operational integrity. The current trustees are: - **Peter Williams** – Director and CEO, responsible for overall leadership and development. - **Isabella Nielsen Williams** – Director, focused on community engagement and creative programming. - **Benjamin Nielsen-Williams** – Finance Director (ratified at AGM 2024), managing financial planning and compliance. Key decisions are made collaboratively during quarterly trustee meetings, ensuring alignment with the charity's objectives and regulatory requirements. ## **Achievements and Performance** ## **2024–2025 Milestones:** - Despite financial constraints, we focused on the structural development of the charity, including foundational work on the charity business and its shopfront, Fercard. - Made significant progress in planning for future exhibitions and community art programs to deliver robust activities during the 2025–2026 period. Although no income was generated during this period, we are proud of the strides made to secure a sustainable future for the gallery and the community it serves. ## **Financial Review** The financial period ending **6 April 2025** reflects a year of preparation, with no income reported due to ongoing structural developments and operational constraints. However, for the next reporting period (2025–2026), we anticipate the following financial outcomes: - **Minimum Income** : £12,000 (expected from grants, donations, and events) - **Expenditure** : £9,500 - **Net Position** : £2,500 surplus These projections underscore the completion of planned activities and the continued operational development of the gallery. ## **Risks and Challenges** As a developing organization, Punchbag Art Gallery faces several key challenges: 1. **Financial Constraints** : Operating without income in 2024–2025 has highlighted the urgent need for sustainable funding sources. Planned grants and ticketed events are critical to addressing this risk. 2. **Volunteer Recruitment** : The lack of volunteers with specialized skills, particularly in digital communications and fundraising, limits operational capacity. We aim to address this through targeted outreach and training. 3. **Awareness and Visibility** : Raising public awareness of our mission is vital to attracting community participation and support. A robust social media strategy is being implemented to overcome this hurdle. Our proactive approach to these challenges reflects our commitment to growth and sustainability. ## **Future** Our plans for 2025–2026 include: 1. **Completing the building** : Finalising construction work on the gallery, including the roof and the facial of the shopfront. 2. **Marketing Strategy** : Implementing a robust strategy to promote the gallery and its activities over social media to enhance visibility and engagement. 3. **Workshops and Activities** : Introducing **fine art and photography workshops** to encourage participation from artists and the wider community. 4. **Income Generation** : Generating revenue through grants, ticketed events, and donations, aiming for a projected **£10,500 surplus** . 5. **Exhibitions and Outreach** : Launching quarterly exhibitions featuring underrepresented artists and expanding outreach programs to engage marginalised creative individuals. 6. **Partnerships** : Establishing collaborations with local businesses and organisations to strengthen financial stability. ## **Testimonials and Impact** ## **Artist Testimonial** “Punchbag Art Gallery gave me the opportunity to showcase my work in a professional setting for the first time. The team’s encouragement and support helped me connect with an audience I never thought possible.” - _Liam Jones, Emerging Artist_ ## **Community Member Feedback** “I attended a photography workshop at Punchbag Art Gallery, and it was incredible to see how inclusive and inspiring the environment was. It’s a treasure for our community!” ## — _Sarah Ahmed, Workshop Participant_ These stories highlight the transformative impact of our activities on individuals and the broader community. ## **Impact Measurement Metrics** To assess the success of our initiatives, we will track the following metrics: - **Workshop Participation** : Number of attendees and feedback from fine art and photography workshops. - **Event Engagement** : Attendance figures and audience demographics for exhibitions and events. - **Community Reach** : Growth in social media followers, post engagement, and website traffic. - **Artist Support** : Number of underrepresented artists exhibited, and opportunities created. - **Funding Secured** : Total income from grants, donations, and ticketed events compared to projections. Regular evaluation will ensure accountability and guide future improvements. ## **Appeal for Volunteers** We urgently seek volunteers with expertise in: - Digital communications to amplify our marketing efforts. - Fundraising to secure vital financial resources. - Community engagement to strengthen our connection with local audiences. Your support will be instrumental in helping us deliver our vision and grow our impact. ## **Statement of Financial Activities** - **Income** : £0 (2024–2025) - **Expenditure** : £0 (2024–2025) - **Projections for 2025–2026** : - Income: £12,000 - Expenditure: £9,500 - Surplus: £10,500 ## **Declaration** This report has been prepared in accordance with the charity’s governing document, legal and regulatory requirements. ## **Signed on behalf of the Trustees** , Peter Williams **Director and CEO, Punchbag Art Gallery** Date: 28 November 2014