Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 30 November 2023 To 30 April 2025
Charity name: Cambridge Artspace
Charity registration number: 1205974
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To promote arts and culture in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire and the East of England, through the provision of exhibitions, events and activities for the purpose of engaging the public and raising awareness of contemporary arts and culture. |
| 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 |
In planning our activities for the year we kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at our Trustee meetings and throughout the year by correspondence. The main activities are as follows: -planning and presentation of exhibitions open to the public -curator and artist-led tours, talks, educational events, discussions and conversations, including art handling, events. These activities benefit the local community and the general public by raising awareness and increasing understanding of contemporary arts and culture including through experiential learning, handling as well as discussion and debate. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | In planning activities, in selecting exhibitions and topic for events and educational activities, the Trustees had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and in line with the mission of the organization. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers, often local artists and craftspeople with relevant knowledge and understanding if the charity mission and aims, contributed to staffing of exhibitions and events. Volunteers were provided with instructions and briefings regarding codes of conduct, safety and appropriate public engagement. Public feedback was very positive to artist-led invigilators, volunteers and facilitators. While the volunteers and artists, communicated about the rewarding nature of volunteer experience and how it also contributed to their own personal development and well-being – thereby creating a mutual re-enforcing cycle of support which contributed positively to local community as well as raising awareness of contemporary arts and artistic practice. We are grateful for the many hours provided by volunteers to enable access and engagement to exhibitions, events and activities. |
| Other | Especially rewarding is the great deal of positive feedback from a diverse number of visitors and comments of appreciation – also recorded in a visitors book – regarding the opportunity and benefit of engaging with contemporary art, living and practicing artist, as well as the ideas in their work accessible to people of all backgrounds regardless of personal background, faith, gender or personal circumstance and in the context of a space which is welcoming, free, independent and inclusive. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, |
Para 1.20 | During this period the charity planned and delivered 4 major exhibitions and associated events, (_Visible |
|identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.||partnership with local organizations and
artists, which included a range of
artists/creatives from diverse background
including from the UK, Jamaica/Barbados,
Ukraine, India/France, all currently based in
the East of England.
Exhibitions were selected according to pre-
specified criteria including “quality,
commitment, originality, mastery,
appropriateness, relevance and timeliness.”
For example, exhibitions included themes
which covered: the relationship between
art+science/mathematics (in
Visible|Indivisible), consideration of the
seminal contribution of British art to
historical movements (in_British Pop_),
issues of sustainability & the environment
(in_Embodied Energy, Visible|Indivisible_)
and challenges related to gender and
immigration (in_Four Corners of the World_).
Each exhibition had associated events
which are designed to meet specific criteria
“(including but not limited) to engaging,
inspiring, and stimulating discussion and
debate, and encouraging reflective and
critical thinking” as per the charity mission.
This includes artists conversations, informal
curator and artist-led tours which enables
further engagement, appreciation, reflection
and understanding for a range of
audiences. During opening hours access is
free and available to people of all ages and
backgrounds representing benefits to a
range of people and the general public.
Further engagement facilitated by
partnerships with the local community
including_Cambridge Open Studios_(COS),
one of the oldest open studios in the
country and a non-selective organization
representing over 500 artists in the region,
hosting special events for young and new
artists (with COS) and with other local
educational institutions (Cambridge School
of Visual & Performing Arts and Anglia
Rusking University Arts Programmes)
which in turn encourage conversations
between younger and more established
artists.
Through its programme of exhibitions and
events, the charity has increased access to
contemporary arts and artists for the
general public, as well as significantly
increasing opportunities for aspiring and
existinglocalartistsin waysthatenables|
|---|---|---|
collaboration, mutual support and professional development by highlighting the diversity of artistic practice in an inclusive and engaging way.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Significant visitor numbers during public opening hours especially on weekends (Saturday’s and Sunday) as well as at scheduled events demonstrates demand and interest from the local community and beyond. Access enabled for a range of visitors including with special needs. For example, handling opportunity of artworks and sculptures for people who are visually impaired. Inclusive and considered curatorial practices with artworks hung lower to enable engagement with people who are younger or in mobility aids. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | No grants have been applied for in this period although initial scoping exercise carried out regarding grant aided support. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other | Consideration of matters of inclusivity and diversity with consideration of an exhibitions and events programmes which showcases art and artists working in a range of media and from artists from a range of cultural background, ages and genders. Future plans include sustainable growth with continuing with a diverse programme of exhibitions, raising more revenue from grants which would enable more participation in a larger programme of events. |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity had a bank balance of £10,222 at 30 April 2025 which will enable |
|---|---|---|
| exhibitions, public activities and events to be held within the coming year. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Reserve held to ensure continuing operations |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £4,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | n/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | None |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None |
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 | Principle risks include damage to the art which in exhibitions although there is insurance coverage to mitigate this risk. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Trust deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled |
Para 1.25 | Trustee may approach the charity or may be recommended for consideration to the existing Charity Trustees. According to the Charity Constitution, apart from the first charity trustees, |
| to appoint one or more trustees |
every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the Charity Trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the Charity Trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: | |
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | The existing charity trustees will make available to each new charity trustee, on or before his or her first appointment: (a) a copy of the current version of this constitution; and (b) a copy of the CIO’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts. Charity Trustees will have open access to all policy documents of the CIO. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The Charity may have a number of ad hoc partnerships which can help it fulfil its mission more effectively and efficiently. For example, with other educational institutions (such as university courses) or local community organizations (Cambridge Open Studios). These are not permanent and non-binding. |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Cambridge Artspace |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1205974 |
| Charity’s principal address | 12 Brunswick Walk Cambridge CB5 8DH |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Anna Medova Dempster |
||||
| Dr Miltiadis Krokidis |
||||
| Aryana Khan | ||||
– 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 None 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)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| adviser |
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) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||
|---|---|---|
| Anna Medova Dempster | ||
Chair |
||
| 27/02/2026 | ||
| 27/02/2026 |
Charity Name No (if any) Cambridge Artspace 1205974 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period Period start date Period end date To from 30 Novemebr2023 30-Apr-25
Section A Receipts and payments
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to the nearest £ |
to the nearest | £ | to the nearest | £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest | £ | |||||||
| A1 Receipts | ||||||||||||||
| Donations | 15,090 | - | - | 15,090 | - | |||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
15,090 | - | - | 15,090 | - | |||||||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, | ||||||||||||||
| (see table). | ||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Total receipts | 15,090 | - | - | 15,090 | - | |||||||||
| A3 Payments |
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 15,090 - - - - - - - 15,090 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ 15,090 - - - - - - - 15,090 |
Total funds to the nearest £ 15,090 - - - - - - - 15,090 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 15,090 | - - - - - - - - - |
15,090 | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
15,090 | 15,090 | - | |||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
||||||
| - | - | - - - |
- | |||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | ||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
||||||
| - | 15,090 | - | ||||
| Events and Exhibitions | 2,573 | - - - - - - - - - - |
2,573 | - | ||
| Publicity | 1,077 | 1,077 | - | |||
| Office overheads | 3,327 | 3,327 | - | |||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| **Sub total ** | 6,977 | 6,977 | - | |||
| 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 |
||||||
| - | 6,977 | - | ||||
| 8,113 | - | 8,113 |
- | |||
| - | - - |
- | - | |||
| - | - | - | ||||
| 8,113 | - | 8,113 | - |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
26/02/2026
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Bank Details Details Details Payments to Artists Signature |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 10,222 - - - - - 10,222 - Agreement Error OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) Unrestricted 2,109 - - - - Print Name Anna Dempster |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
|||
| Anna Dempster | 26/02/2026 | ||
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
26/02/2026
2