Pollen Studios and Gallery Trustees Annual Report 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024 Contents Charlty Details Trustees and membershlp Charity Constltutlon Summary description of Charlty Purpose Charity Activities Maln Actlvltles to further purposes for publlc beneflt Maln Achlevements of the year Publlc Beneflt statutory Statement End of Year Flnanclal Revlew Deficlt detalls
Pollen Studios and Gallery Trustees Annual Report 1st April 2023 - 31" March 2024 Charity Details Charlty Name; Pollen Studios and Gallery (also known as Pollen Studios and as Pollen) Address: 7 North Street, First Floor, Belfast, BTI INH Northern Ireland Charlty Number (NIC): 100099 Trustees and membership Charlty Trustees (1st April 2023 - 31,, March 2024) Jayne Cherry Allce Clarke Ray Cashell Pollen Studlo Members 1st Aprll 2023 - 31" March 2024 Alslin8 Magee (Chairl Almee Ma8ee (Treasurer) Stephen Gillanders ISecretaryl- June 2023 Paeder Stephen Fagan Nov 2022- Nov 2024 Conor McGlnley April 2023- present Emmanuela Mae Agrlni- May 2023- present Charlotte Dlxon (Secretary) - June 2023-Nov 2024 Charity Constitution The Pollen Studios and Gallery Constitution is laid out in a 13-page document dated December 2013, reviewed as required and administered by the Management Committee. Full membershlp of the or8anisation is open to individuals a8ed 18 years and over whose application are accepted by the committee. Such members are called Full Members and are entitled to vote at Association meetings. Persons who, in the opinion of the committee, have special knowledge or experience to offer the Association cari be called Associate Members and will not have the right to vote at meetings.
The Management Commlttee meets not less than 2 times per year and consists of not less than 3 and not more than 7 people elected at an Annual General Meeting. Committee members may hold office for up to 3 years. On retirement members are eligible for re-nomination. The Charity Constitution clearly contains information under the following headings; Administration, Objects, Membership, Termination of Membershipi ManaEement Committee, Disqualification and Removal of the Management Committee, Functions of the Commlttee, Chalrlng Meetlngs, Flnance, Trust Property, Annual General Meetin& Special General Meetingi Notice, Adjournments, Rules of Procedure at all Meetings, Standing Orders/Rules, Dissolution and Indemnity and Insurance. Full detalls of the constitutlon are avallable on request. There is no other organisatlon or Indlvldual with the power to appolnt charlty trustees, such as another charity or government department. Summary description of Charity Purpose The purposes of the charlty are: To advance the educatSon of the publlc Sn all aspects of art Including; Performance Art, Sculpture and Installation, drawing and painting. • The development of public appreclatlon of art by the provlslon of a gallery and the presentatlon of pub15c performance and exhlbltlons. To further the soclal and cultural welfare of the communlty of Town Parks Belfast and Beyond, The vlslon that shapes our annual actlvltles remains the promotion and fosterin8 of knowled8e and the appreclatlon of the arts by the provlslon of facllltles for the educatlon and recreatlon of the publlc In the fleld of art. The charlty also has the general alrn of contrlbutln8 to the quallty of life of the people of Belfast by expandlng thelr horlzons through the provSslon of excltlng, challen8in8 and accessible professional and communlty art events, Pollen Studlos and Gallery also promote and improve art and the productlon of objects and works of artistic merit for the publc beneflt by the establlshment and malntenance of affordable studlo space for flne artlsts and makers (including painters, Illustrators, sculptors, photographers, printmakers, textile and other multi-media designers) upon terms approprlate to thelr means. Charity Activities Main Activities to further purposes for publlc benefit The strategies employed to achleve the charitle5 aims and objectives are: To present a broad range of art exhibitions and performance happenlngs for the enjoyment and educatlon of our local community • Offer opportunities for a broad range of people to get involved in arts activity, exploring thelr own creative powers
Provide facilities for the public, professional artists and community groups to develop artistic practice Concentrate on involving young people in the arts to promote a culture in which different age ranges play a complementary part Celebrate the diversity of cultures In our soclety by programming presentations by, and wlth artists of dlfferent cultural backgrounds. Members of the charity invi8ilate all openings, talks or workshops and encoura8e feedback, verbal and written, at all events. Feedback is discussed and recorded in minutes at our regular meetings. Minutes and action polnts are recorded and available to all member5, Wlth follow up and reviews at consecutlve meetln85 untll any Issues are resolved. The membershlp takes the views of our audlence very serlously and wlthout compromlsln8 the Integrlty of the programme, we seek to respect the dlverse ethnic, falth, sexual orientation and Ilfestyles of our community and audience. Pollen 5tud105 and Gallery encourage and welcome exhlbltlon and performance proposals. Main Achievements of the year Programme of Late Nlght Art Belfast and other events 1st April 2023 - 31>t March 2024 Event Date Aprll 2023 Indlgo Azldahaka's flrst solo show: The Second Comlng of Auntle Lynne June 2023 Summer Late Night Art Market for local artists October 2023 Charlotte Dlxon Solo Show: Put Together performance and exhlbltlon audlence partlclpatlon October 2023 Halloween Late Nlght Art Market for local artlsts Oct 2023 - March 2024 ongoing ACNI Funded Rural Engagement Programme: PSG & Mayobrldge Youth Club creatlve workshops for young people dellvered by our members November 2023 Pollen Member Group Show exhlbltlon November 2023 Late Nl8ht Art Market for local Artists December 2024 XMAS Market: Christmas themed Local Artist market December 2024 Postcard Exhibition: Open Call to local artists to dlsplay and sell thelr work In our gallery space February 2024 Lindsay Mead Solo Show: Repossesslon Installation photography and audio/vlsual February 2024 Valentlnes, Late Nlght Art Market for local Artlsts March 2024 Conor McGinley Solo Show: Sub Space installation performance and painting March 2024 Late Night Art Market for local artist5
Description of Events 2023124 Aprfl 2023: Indigo Axldahaka's Flrst Solo Show- The Second Comlng of Auntie Lynne In April 2023, Indigo Azidahaka debuted their first solo show, The Second Coming of Auntie Lynne. Thls immersive exhibition captivated audiences with a bold and unapologetic exploration of Identity mythology, and personal narrative. Indigo transformed the gallery into a surreal and thought- provoking space, blending sound performance, mlxed medla, and installation to engage visitors in an unforgettable artistic journey. The exhibltlon, opened a5 part of Late Ni8ht Art Belfasti garnered strong attendance and positlve feedback, marklng a promising milestone for the emer8ing artlst. June 2023: Summer Late Nlght Art Market for Local Artlsts To celebrate the summer season, Pollen hosted a vlbrant Late Nlght Art Market In June 2023, providing a platform for 10 local artlsts to exhiblt and sell their work. The market created opportunities for artists to showcase their creative outputs while fosterlng connections wlth the local community. With an impressive turnout, the event also included live music and creative activities, maklng It a festive evening that was both enjoyable for visitors and successful for partlclpatln8 artlsts. October 2023: Charlotte Dlxon - Solo Show- Put Together In October 2023, Charlotte Dixon presented Put fogether, a solo exhlbltlon and audlence particlpation performance that challenged the boundarles between artist and vlewer. Dlxon's work blended Installatlon, performance, and partlclpatory art, invltlng vlsltors to collaborate In creatlng the final outcomes of the exhibltion, The engaging and Interactlve nature of Put Together sparked meanlngful conversatlons about assembly, dlsassembly, and the power of collectlve creatlvlty, leavln8 a lastlng Impresslon on all who attended. October 20Z3: Halloween Late Nlght Art Market for Local Artlst$ Pollen celebrated the Spooky season wlth a Halloween-themed Late Nlght Art Market In October 2023. Featurlng work from 12 artists, the market hlghllghted eerle, whlmslcal, and seasonally inspired Creatlons. Alongside artisanal stalls, the event offered themed refreshments, interactlve workshops, and Ilve performances, creating a lively atmosphere that delighted visitors of all ages whlle supportlng the local arts communlty. October 2023- March 2024 (Ongolng): ACNI-Funded Rural Engagement Programme- PSG & Mayobrldge Youth Club Pollen's Rural Engagement Programme, funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, launched In October 2023 and contlnues through March 2024. This Inltlatlve focuses on dellverlng creatlve workshops for young people in ¢ollabor3tion with PSG and Mayobridge Youth Club. Led by Pollen, members, the programme offers opportunities for participants to explore a range of artistic techniques, develop creative skills, and en8age with their local Community in meanin8ful ways. November 2023: Pollen Member Group Show ExhlbltloTh November 2023 saw Pollen members come together to showcase their latest work In a group exhibition, celebrating the diverse talents of the studio communlty. The show featured a varlety of mediums and thémes, offerlng vlsitors a rich and dynamic visual experience. This collaborative event underscored the collective strength of Pollen's artists and their shared dedicatlon to creative excellence.
November 2023: Late Night Art Market for Local Artists Continulng the success of Its art market series, Pollen hosted another Late Night Art Market in November 2023. The event provided a space for IS local artists to display and sell thelr work to an engaged audience. With live music, refreshments, and a warm, inviting atmosphere, the market drew stron8 attendance and further strengthened connections between artists and the community. December 2024: XMAS Market- Chrlstmas-Themed Local Artist Market The festlve season brought cheer with Pollen's annual Christmas-themed market in December 2024. Supporting 20 local artists, the market offered handcrafted glfts, seasonal decoratlons, and one-of- klnd artworks, makin8 St the perfect destinatlon for hollday shoppers, Ac¢ompanled by live performances, hot drinks, and engaging activlties, the market became a cherished communlty tradltlon. December 2024: Postcard Exhlbltlon- Open Call to Local Artlsts Pollen invlted local artists to participate in an open-call Postcard Exhlbltlon in December 2024. Thls unlque event showcased small-scale works, offering an accesslble entry point for both emerglng and establlshed artlsts to dlsplay and sell thelr creatlons. The exhibition encouraged communlty en8a8ement and Introduced new audlences to the local arts scene through the works of 86 local artlsts, many of whom benefltted from selllng their work and creatlng new communlty connectlons. February 2024: Llndsay Mead Solo Show- Reposse5s1on In February 2024, Lindsay Mead presented Repossesslon, an evocative photography and audio/vlsual installation exploring themes of memory, loss, and reclamatlon. This ifflmersive exhlbltlon drew audiences Into a deeply personal narrative, 5parklng reflectlon and emotlonal resonance. Mead's work transformed the gallery into an Intlmate, contemplatlve space, le3vln8 a profound Impact on visitors. February 2024: Val•ntlne's Late Nl8ht Art Market for Local Artlsts To celebrate love and creatlvlty, Pollen hosted a Valentlne's-themed Late Nlght Art Market in February 2024. Featuring work from 15 local artists, the market offered unlque, handmade gifts and art pleces perfect for the occasion. With live music, refreshments, and a romantic atmosphere, the event was a hlt among visitors and artists alike. March 2024: Conor M¢Glnley Solo Show-sub Space March 2024 brought Conor McGlnley's solo show, Sub Space, to Pollen's gallery. Combining performance and palnting Installation, McGlnleVs work explored themes of gender, identltv, sexuallty and the human experience of transitional spaces. The exhibltion featured a live palnting performance and immersive visuals, Captivating audiences and earning praise for its originality and impart. March 2024: Late Nlght Art Market for Local Artlsts Concluding the 2023-2024 season of events, Pollen hosted another Late Night Art Market In March 2024. Showcasing a wide range of works from 10 local artists, the event brought together the community to celebrate and support the arts. With a lively atmosphere and strong attendance, the market relnforced Pollen's commitment to fostering local talent and creative opportunities, Achievements and Performance
Our sltuatlon at Flax Artist Studios at 7 North Street remains unchanged, presenting both opportunities and challenges. While the space has hosted many successful events over the past year, its size and adaptability limit its potential for larger-scale exhibitions and consistent community programmin8. Artists have worked hard to navigate and adapt the two rooms for studio work, exhibitions, and events, but a more suitable premises with dedicated studio and gallery spaces would greatly enhance our ability to deliver quality programs and support Indivldual artist development. Furthermore, the bulldlng outsSde our rental domain is In si8nlficant disrepalr, wlth landlords reluctant to Invest In Improvements due to the area's potentlal redevelopment. Thls, omblned wlth our short-term lease a8reement5-currently runnlng untll 24th July 2024 with no contract longer than nlne months has hindered our abllity to secure funding from sources requlring a minimum one-year tenancy. Despite these challenges, we are proud of our achievements, Pollen was awarded the Arts Council Northern Ireland Rural Engagement Programme grant for our project "Cornbattlng Lonellness & Isolatlon Through Arts., This project focused on addressing soclal isolatlon among young people through creative workshops dellvered at Mayobrldge Youth Club and Communlty Centre. Kev hlghllghts Include.. Tallored Creatlve Workshops: Activitles such as palntlng. drawlng, mask-maklng, street art, t-shlrt prlntin8, and costume design were carefully deslgned to sult varlous a8e 8roups16-19 years). Collaboratlve Cornmunlty Art: Partlcipants worked toEether on murals for the Chrlstmas concert, costumes for the Halloween parade, and a lar8e-scale commemoratlve felted artwork celebrating the centre's 60th annlversary. So¢lal Incluslon: Workshops created a welcomlng envlronment for partlcipants to connect wlth peers and youth group leaders, fosterlng new frlendshlps175% of partlclpants reported maklng new frlendsl and a sense of communltv. Sklll Devglopm•nt: 94% of partlclpants reported learnlng new artlstlc skllls, and many expressed an eagerness to contlnue explorlng creative activities In the future. Enhanced Wellbeln8: The project boosted partlclpants, confldence In thelr artlstlc abllltles 169% felt more confidentl, prlde In thelr work192% were proudl, and overall enjoyment 181% had a great tlmel. These outcomes contrlbuted to Improved mental health and reduced feelln8s of lonellness. The success of thls project underscores the Importance of accesslble arts programmlng In rural communlties and demonstrates Pollen's commltment to fosterin8 creatlvlty, soclal Incluslon, and community connections. Moving forward, we are actlvely seekin8 3 more sultable premlses to expand our offerin8s, improve our capacity for long-term plannlng, and contlnue dellvering Impartful communlty and arts initiatives, We have also continued to host local artists in markets during Late Night Art Belfast, providin8 thern wlth a valuable platform to showcase and sell their work directly to a diverse audience. This has enhanced thelr vlslblllty wlthln the local arts communlty, introduced their practice to new supporters, and created opportunities for meaningful networking with peers, collettors, and art enthuslasts. In addition, we have hosted solo exhibitions for external artists, offering them a professional platform to present their work, reach new audiences, and eng8ge with Belfa5t'5 thriving
arts community. helping to elevate their profiles and foster connections within the local and national art scene. By doing so, we have supported their creative careers while contributing to the vibrant cultural fabrlc of Belfast. Public Benefit Statutory Statement In shaping our objectlves for the year and plannlng our actlvitles, the trustees have considered the Charity Comml551on's Guldance on publlc benefit and we will endeavour to encourage all within our community to take part in our a¢tivitles and to attend our exhlbltlons when It Is safe to do so under guldance from Stormont. We also openly encourage the local communlty, local schools and hlgher education colleges to visit the gallery space to enjoy and learn from the art we provlde or host. End of Year Financial Review Pollen Studlos and Gallery do not hold any funds as a custodlan trustee. Pollen Studlos and Gallery end of year accounts show the charlty account to be In credlt. Pollen Studlos and Gallery has been funded prlmarlly by studlo members artlsts for the flnanclal year 2023124 Deficit details There are no funds hÈld by the charlty that are materlally In deflclt at the end of the flnanclal year 3111 March 2024. Signed by The Trustees- 26thJanuary 2025 Date 2Llol12075