OPEN ARTS TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The trustees, who are also the director5 for the purpose of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for Ihe year ended 31 March 2024. Structure, Governance and Management Governing document The organisation is a charitable company limtted by guarantee. The company was established under a Memorandum Df Association which established the objects and powers of the company and is governed under its Artides of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. Recruitment and Appoinknent of Dlrectors The trustees of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the directors are elected to serrfe for a pericKJ of three y8ars aft8r which they must be relected at the next Annual General Meeting. The trustees of the company have a mix of business and artistic skills. In the event of particular skills being lost due to retirement or resignation. suitable indiwduals are approached to offer themselves for appointment as trustees. Trustee induction and training Most new trustees are familiar with the work of the charity. New trustees are encouraged to attend suitable training courses to familiarise themselves wrth both the Vrk of the charity and their responsibililies as trustees. They are also made familiar with the Open Arts. Govemance har)dbook. Rlsk management The trustees have carried out a review of the major risks to which the charity is axpos8d, and were appropriat& hava put in place systems and controls to mitigate the effect of those risks. Objectives and activities The principal activity of the company is to promote and COThordinate arts activiti'es of all kinds by and with disabled people in the area of benefit, in accordan with the principles as laid down in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Open Arts. En Is our core weekly programme (based on 3 temis of workshops ihroughout the year). This programme engages nearfy 100 individuals and delivers 8 sessions every week. We deliver additional projects so that more disabled people, parti¢ularty children and young people, can explore the arts. We will support core participants to explore their indiwdual development as artists. We also continuously explore the future of our organisation through research and development. We produce events and performances so that disabled people can enjoy the achievement of performance and that audiences can enjoy the creatlve and artlstlc talents of disabled people. From April 2023 until March 2024. we delivgred 296 creative workshop sessions that engaged 402 individuals.
OPEN ARTS TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Engage Is our core weekly programme (based on 3 terms of workshops throughout the year). This programme engage5 nearfy 100 individuals and delivers 8 sessions every week. From April 2023 until March 2024. we continued to deliver our core programme of activities for disabled adults: 3 x visual classes including one for blind and visually impaired Monday Players drama Open Arls Community Choir Gamelan group Creative writing Luminous Soul dance The core programme enhances participants arbstic skills and is also a safe space where individuals have great connections each other, which Creates a true sense of belonging. as highlighted in the words of participants: "If you are thinking about joining Open Arts art classes I would say go for it 'th gusto and embrace it, leam from everyone, there's no pressure to perfon77. It is a safe space where people with disabilities are valued. You can develop your abilities and make new fn'ends. It is greati. .1 love how in Luminous Soul we arn encouraged to do our own version of a movement and how we create new ways of moving together ° °Wg are all the same but in different ways. We hav8 fun and share new ideas. Come and join the Open Arts family you wony be disappolnted." Achievements for participants in our core included Luminous Soul perfonning at the high profile One Young World Op8ning Ceremony in the SSE Arena, whith attracted acclaim across social media: "Luminous Soul were class. An incredible and inspirational example of inclusion # OYW23 @OneYoungWord' "standing ovation, absolutely stunning perfonnanGell" Open Arts Community Choir also came second in a televised choral competition. Curfa. which was broadcast on TG4. Comments from the judges induded: With that song, you lifted our hearts and then shattered them into smithereens. I must say that every time you come out on stage, you re so kind. so generous and giving.. "It was beautrful, Leslie has a wonderful voice, it's lovely and deep. As for your hamionies the interactions you had together, the way you told the story through the words. I really enjoyed it." -It was inGrgdible I have to say l allY enjoyed il. Il's very hard to coffle out on stage and perfom7 unaccompanied let alone do it well, but I think you did." "My makg up went everywhere because of the tears shed while I was listening and watching you. You'r8 such a special Ghoir and that W8S 8 powerful performance." Open Arts Gamelan in Connswater In March 2023. we relocated our garnelan to Connswater Shopping Centre. This will give the gamelan increased visibility, and we will engage with more groups and indNiduals from across East Belfast
OPEN ARTS TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Explore Participant Development Programme (PDP) We support individual participants to develop their own practice through mentoring and produdion support. In 2023 we worked with danr$ Talia McDowell, Andy Paton. and Julie Richmond to produce a performance of their own ChoOgraPhed performance. Communication. "Beyond proudlTalia, Julianna and Andy put on a fantastic perfomance of their own Ch0regphed piece Communication, today at ¥lbouncefestiva12023'. It was supert) from start to finish and all their hard work shone through. Huge thanks to Eileen al Open Arts for supporting them to put on this perfom7ance.° °BOUn 23 you were amazingl l am so grateful for everyone who came to watchl Just wanted to say a massive th8nk you to Open Arts for all their support." In Tune We continued to work with Angel Eyes Nl and Autism InitiatNes Nl to facilitate creative workshops for children who are blindlpartially sighted or vtho have autism. °This prograrnme has been invaluable for K's mental well-being and personal growth. It has provided him with an opportunity to socialise and leam important skills, helping to build his confidence in a safe and understanding setbng. K always leaves the music programme Ghatting and happy (this is usually a very rare Occurren when he has been in a social setting). It also gives me respite and a chan to recharge my own batteries. We are very grateful to be able to avail of this opportunity and hope it Gan continue as he is progressing so much. He thoroughly enjoys attending th8s8 class8s, leaming how to play instruments, chat about things of interest to him with p8ople who hav8 knowledge and genuine love for the subject. Many thanks to everyone involved in puthng this together." Movement & Mentoring In August 2023 we began the first Movement & Mentoring project. 12 young people from Mae Murray Teen Hubs took part in a week-long dance summer scheme. Throughout the week they also had visits from members of Luminous Soul dance company. This week was followed up with more rehearsals to prepare for a performance as part of Open Arts event 'Creative Conversations, at the Crescent Arts Centre. part of Bounce Festival. The young people are also finalising their portfolios for accreditation through Arts Awards. The sense of athievement among the young people was palpable. Amazing perfomance at WBounce23' today from ' #MMF, young people. Showing off their skills leaml during summer dance camp - a collaborabon between Mae Murray Foundation and Open Arts. Well done alll You rocked itl "I have seen 'S' shine and come out of her shell fmm the start of this project. She was shy. very quiet, now she's smiling, contributes to the gmup work. speaks up and gives her input. Her confidence is through the roof when she's dancing. It's like she comes alive.. Identify, Identity, Impact This is our programme to explore future possibilities for our organisation. This includes working with experts in market search & development, web design and evaluation. In 2023-2024 we were partners in the indusive Tourism project for Belfast City Council with Smith & Kent Consultancy. With our Lived Experience team, we facilitated Liwng Library events. created online training modules, and filmed 3 accessible itinerary videos. We We also part of the organising team for Belfast's first ever Indusive Tourism seminar, Embrace the Inclusive Spirit. This is all part of our development of our 'Chatting for Change. programme, which we will roll out as a training tool for businesses and organisations. hank you to @OPENAR TSNI and amazing guests for hosting the Living Library as part of the aGcessibilty and inclusive session at our industry b17efing yesterday."
OPEN ARTS TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 .1 thought the format was excellent. There was time and space to reflect in between discussions and a great group of people with a rang8 of lived experiences to leam from. Pre-training day reading material was very helpful and the explanation at thg start great too. Really worthwhile moming all round. thank you.. Enjoy Takeaway Theatre The perfomiance is aimed at engaging and empowering the recipient and their family to CO&create a drama based on a story of their making. The experience is about engagement, empowerment and fun for the indNidual but it also. importantly. enables siblings, parents and family members to enjoy a shared experience. Throughout Ihe year, we delivered visits from Dery to Downpatrick, Bangor to Ballynahinch. We had the most lovely wsit from Joio and Stephanie. M is shll saying their names. It was such a lovely time shared with them and so gentle to suit M s needs, which by the end of the session he was confident, excited. alert and engaged beautifully. I have some lovely photos I d love to share byith you and please feel free to share rf you wish too. We are so grateful for this seThice. Thank you." °We had Paul and Stephen aka Ron and Bary hera last nh1 for our Takeaway Theatrelllll We absolutely loved itl M and E had a blast. We were delighted at how M engaged and created his own piece of theatre. We have never Sg8n M engaged and concentrating and taking part so well. The artists guided us through each stage of cr8ating our own little show, and we all Iov8d perfonning itl Absolutely amazing, I highly recommend every family to book the Takeaway Th8atr81° .1 cannot thank you, and your team. anough for the ama.ng time we had today." Jessica and Stephen are wonderful and brought so much joy into our home. I must say I was a little concemed as A had been in a bit of a Ywist, all moming and it was hard to know how engaging he would be. However. the pair were able to tum him around and their patience and creative imaginations were amazing. We all had a really great time. Thank you all so much again.- Creative Conversations On Sunday 8th October we took over the Crescent Arts Centre as part of Bounce Festival! The audience experienced performances from Monday Players. Open Arts Community Choir, Lurninous Soul dancers,. heard readings from the creative vrriting group and parttcipated in a workshop with visual art participants. Inspired by the idea of a 'Living Library, they also had the opportunity to chat with the participants through Q&A sessions to leam about the diverse perspectives and life experiences of disabled people. "Just a little note to thank you for a wonderful afternoon yesterday. To see all Open Arts offers and to enjoy the experience was brilliant. Congratulations to all involved and thank you to Maeve for guiding usl" It was such a lovely vibe in the bulldlng on Sunday. The sound of the singing in Ihe stalell was inC1b18 (and I particularly enjoyed having a little dance to the choirperfonning in the cafe) That was a fab performance from Open Arts on Sunday. everyone who was here gave it raving feedback too. The perfonnances were incredibly moving. and the chr was just stunning on the stalell. Someone even said they should record there the sound was so good. It was amazing to see Daffen and crew also so so excited about their performances, and to hear about the script writing going on du17ng lock down etc was amazing. Well done to the whole team- you were amazing. Pieces of Us In June 2023, w8 launched our exhibition 'Pieces of Us, in Arts for All in Cityside., Thi5 was a collective exhibition from all our visual art groups. Luminous Soul performed in the main mall and Open Arts Community Choir entitsd the audience into the exhibition space. The exhibrfion was in place until the end of August.
OPEN ARTS TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 What an amazing show of talent and so many varied art forms. It is also fantaslic to have so many tactile pieces.. other achi8v8ments In January 2024, our chairperson Margaret Mann won the Arts and Business Award for Leaders on Arts Boards. Our Finan and Programme Officer also competed ILM Level 5 in Leadership and Management. Financial review The company is a non-profit making organisation. The results a set out in detsil on page 5. The company had net income for the year of £17.540. The principal funding sources of the charity are by way of grant. principally frorn the Arts Council of Northem Ireland. and by way of charging fees to variou5 groups for sep11$ rendered. Reserves policy The trustees have examined the charitys requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the funding of the organisation. Unrestricted free reserves are currently £82.340, as detailed in note 14. and this level of reserves would be sufficient to fund the organisation's running costs for a period of six months at current levels of spending and cover redundancy payments for the current staff. The trustees consider this level of reserves to be adequate to meet the needs of the Gharity. Structurei governance and management The organisation is a charitsble company limrted by guarantee. Th8 company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the company and is governed under its Artides of Association. In th8 event of the company beirKJ wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. The Trustees. who are also the directors for the purpose of company law. and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: l H Lindsay S O'Donnell C Murtagh J Mcconville M Mann K Hughes A Hope S Finnegan
OPEN ARTS TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 ststement of trustees. responsibllities The Trustees, who are also the directors of Open Arts for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Prdctice). Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the and of the incoming resources and application of resources, induding the income and expenditure. of the charilable company for that year. In preparing these financial statements. the Trustees are required to: select suitstAe accounting policies and then apply them consistently,. - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP: - make judgements and estimates thal a reasonable and prudentr. state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., and prepare the financial statements on the going cOnM basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time Ihe financial position of the and enable them to ensure that the ffinancial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and dètection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees. l H Llndsay Trustee S Finnegan Trustee Date..