R-SPACE GALLER Y FINANCIAL sfA TEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 TRUSTEES. REPORT The trustees, who also act as dlrettors of the companyi present their annual report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. STATEMENT OF TRusfEES' RESPONSIBIUTIES Company law requlre5 the trustees to prepare flnancial statements for each flnancial period which give a true and fair view of the stste of the affairs of the charitsble company and of the profit or loss of the charitable company for that period. In preparlng those financial statements the directors are requlred to select sultable accounting pollcies and then apply them conslstently; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. prepare the financial staternents on the going conrn basis unless it Is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. observe the methods and prlnciples in the Charities SORP (FRS102) The trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP and conflmi that under company law they must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and falr view of the state of the company's affairs and of the surplus or deficit for that perfod. The reporting framework that has been applied is the Charities SORP (FRS 102). The direttors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records whlch disdose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial posltion of the company and to enable them to ensure the financial ststements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of thè company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the preventlon and detectlon of fraud and other Irregularities. TRUSTEES The trustees of the charity durlng the finanaal year were as stated on page 2. OBJEcfIvES AND AcnvrrIES Aims and objectives Throughout 2023-2024 R-space Gallery continued to successfully pursue its charitable objects as defined In its governlng document: (l) To advan the arts, including contemporary visual arts and crafts, for the benefit of the publlc in the Llsburn and Castlereagh area and its en.vlrons In Northern Ireland (hereinafter called the "area of benefit and In partlcular: (a) to advance the education of the public in the arts including contemporary arts and crafts, and to encourage appreciation for and participation in all forms of the Brts by any charitable means the directors see fit- (b) to co-ordinate the provision of advlce, support, tralnlng and mentorlng and provision of facilities for the purpose of the encouragement and stimulation of those falllng within the creative sector and community arts sector, by any charitable means the directors see fit. (2) To promote community development and encourage communlty spirit aftd civic pride by organising or faalitating provislon of activities and or Spa to 5UPPOrt delivery of arts, cultural, tourism, CreatIonal, well-being, and other initiatives that SUPPOrt comnunity integration and stimulation of artistic creatlvity in the area of benefit. Significiant Activities Exhlb"tion P ramme Our exhibltion programme was instrumental to the pursult of our aims and objettives, delivered thanks to continued rnajor annual funding from the National Lottery through the Arts Councll of Northern Ireland. R-space run a serÉes of high-quality and inspiring exhlbitions. encompassing vlsual arts, craft and deslgn, and accompanied by art15t talk5 and participatory workshop5, that beneflted arttsts, indivlduals and communltles in Llsburn, Northern Ireland and beyond. Throughout the programme we collaborated with and supported several local and international artlsts at different stages of their career. We offered them opportunltles to showcase their art and develop their practlce, and encouraged them to network, share experience and skills With other art15ts.
R-. SPACE GALLER Y FINANCIAL STA TEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 TRUSTEES, REPORT (continued) The programme's exhibitions, talks and workshops took place In our welcoming gallery space in the heart of Lisburn and were offered free of charge to the public to promote access and partiapatlon. Dlgltal art content for all exhlbition5 on our website and social media also allowed us to reach viewers natlonally and intematlonally. These activities successfully engaged numerous partiapants and audlences who made P051tive comments about them. We therefore believe that the programme promoted their understandlng and appreciation of the arts. It also brought other slgnificant benefits. It enhanced the provtsion of indusive arts initiatives in the area, attrarted dtizens and vlsltors. brought together communities in a shared spatr, thus contrfbuting to communlty development and integration, and promoting Lisbum a5 a tourist destlnation. Here Is a concise overvlew of our exhibition programme at R-sPa - 'McCaw Allan: A Tea Towel Collectlon, (Aprll-may 2023) with artist Robert Peters and on3 McKelvie. Exhibitlon celebrating both Mccaw Allan, historically a leading NI company producing linen item5, and the linen herltage in Northem Ireland. 'Connected Emotions, (July - August 2023) with artist Jill Philllps - A research and exhlbition project using interactive textile installatlons to explore and display connections between different designs and emotions. 'The Alchemy of Print, (Ottober - November 2023) with artfst and academic Trish Belford - A searCh and exhlbltion project presentlng textile designs and exposlng the value of technical craft, dyeing and printino expertlse. 'Materials Messages and Meaning #12, (November- December 2023) - Now in Its twelfth year, 'MMM#I2' explored the work of local artists selected from R-space public open call. They responded to the theme 'Transition' or the process in which something changes from one state to another. 'Connertion: Dsconnection. (January - February 2024) with multi-disciplinary artlst Heather Dornan Wilson. Exhibition showcaslng artworks in dlfferent media seeking to explore shared human experiences. 'Threads of Illusion. (February - March 2024) featuring Dr Shelley Jame5, glass arttst and international expert on Ilght and well-being. Presenting her op art glass sculptures and layered works that play with Dur understanding of space and time. The programme induded R-space annual re5idenw and exhibition project 'Re:New Wallace #6. (June 2023) marked the sixth collaboration between a Northern Irish artist selected by R-space and the prestlgious walla Collection Museum In Hertford House, London. Its contents were inherlted and augmented by Sir Rlchard Wallace, who in the 19th Century Inherited the Hertford Estate comprising lands that stretched from the Rlver Lagan all the way to the shores of Lough Neagh In Northem Iland. Thls year the project provided resldency opportunity to visual artist Emma Whitehead. The artist researched artefacts in the collection connected to the compulsion to measure time, distance, the seasons, and created artworks as a response to this particular theme later exhiblted at R-space. Llne nale While the glory days of "Llnenopolis. may be behind us, the echoes of thls vibrant industry remain woven into the fabric of the region. R-space renewed Its commitment to the linen legacy and tradition, securing major fundlng from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (thanks to the National Lottery Players) for the Linen Biennale 2023, a very SucssfUl three-month festival of arts, crafts and design. Many elements ensured its success. What set the Linen Biennale apart was a forward-thinking vision that celebrated the past whlle exploring new opportunities for the future use of linen and flax. The initlatives reflected a commitment to revive and renew our collectlve understanding of the Ilnen s legacy. Through collaboratlve partnerships, exhibltions. discussTons, talks, tours. and other events, the festival sought to stlmulate new thinking about one of Ireland'5 oldest textiles. The Linen Biennale 2023 took place during August, September and October, with some activltles happenlng outside.the three-month period. The festlval worked wlth over 50 delivery partners which supported the hostlng and programming of events. This encompassed over 100 events spread across Northem Ireland reathing 7 out of 9 Locals Council Areas (Belfast City Council, Llsburn & Castlereagh, Ards & North Down, Newry Mourne & Down, Causeway Coast and Glens, Mid-ulster and Am)agh, Banbridge & Craigavon)_ They included".
R-.SPACE GALLERY FINANCIAL STA TEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 TRUSTEES. REPORT (continued) 17 exhlbltion5 38 talks, tours, and demos 33 workshops 23 'otherf events (such as a drama, a fashion market and OutaCh events) A high number of creative and other profe5s1onals worked on this programme, and an extraordlnary number of people enjoyed It as shown by these figures: 100 professlonals, Includlng artlsts, designers, makers, and professionals working in the arts, Industry and heritage sectors 600 participants 10,000 audiences (in person and online) Among the Linen Biennale highllghts, were. 'Plant Communitas, Exhibitlon (R-space Gallery, September 2023) an international collaboration curated by Patrlca Brien. Artists worklng in a variety of art forms looked at the flax plant cyde and its connecttons wlth cultural tradltlon5 and practjces. Featuring Annemlek de Beer, Patricia Brien, Amanda Coppes-martin, Brldget Kennedyi Geoff Dlego Litherland, Angharad McLaren, rim Parry-williams and Ilka White. 'HaxPaperLabs' Resldency (R-space Gallery & Aax Artist studios, Belfast, July-August 2023) - Canada- based paper and fibre artist Regine Neumann undertook a residency in Flax Artlst Studlos for her research project about traditional paper maklng techniques using flax. As part of the collaborative ethos the artlst delivered papermaking workshops to artists groups buildlng numerous connections. 'Pallmpsest' Exhibltlon (The Drying Room at Conway Mlll. Belfast, September 2023) Presenting artists based at Conway Mill studlos and their works in a variety of media explorlng different aspects of linen - rrom the introductlon of flax by the Celts, to the Industry's pivotal role In the changes In society, and the echoes that remain today. Featurlng artists Karen Daye-Hutchinson, Anna Donovan Ceramic, Marie-Louise Gorniley, Melanie Woolley and Ruth Hamilton-sturdy. Lunchtime Letture Series (Summer - Aubjmn 2023) - A collaboration wlth the Ulster Museum and the Linen Hall Libraryi Belfast. Across the programme we ran a series of engaging public talks themed around industy, material, envlronment and narrative. Mar*y talks were recorded and a now available online as a legacy of the festival. Outreach ro As part of R-spatr's commitment to improving wellbeing and contributing to community development through engagement in the arts, the Linen Biennale 2023 was accompanied by an outreach programme. Artist Robert Peters worked with nlne dlfferent communlty groups across Northern Ireland. Together they explored tradltional,print technlques on Ilnen, and participants created thelr own printed designs onto linen Inspired by themes of their choice. Following the success of this programme, additional funding was secured from the Community Relations Counal for'Patterns of Collaboration., a new outreach projecL This saw groups of different backgrounds and abllities comlng together and. working on collaborative textlle art pieces to celebrate cultural diversity. RELATED PARTIES There are no related parties to report save the board of trustees, and no transa¢tions to report. RESULTS The deflclt for the year was £64,934 (2023: £ 61,526 surplus)
R-SPACE GALLER Y FINANCJAL STA TEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 TRUSTEES. REPORT (continued) CHARrrABLE STATUS The charity is an Incorporated prlvate limited company. It is registered with the Charity Commlsslon for Northern Ireland under referen number 106350. PUBUC BENEFIT The public benefits that flow from the purpose (l) Awarene55 and knowledge amongst the public of all aspects of arts. Sense of well-being from opportunities to experience and particlpate In the arts. tleightened creatlve capaaty and professional development among new and emerging artists. Development of technical processes and sharlng of skills and collaboration. The public beneflts that flow from the purpose (2) Increased opportunities to access the arts. Engagement and particlpation in artistic activities and events, r*articularly amongst margtnalised grouDS groups in soclety. Arts as a means of expresslon and fvlfilment. Arts helping development of a shared and vibrant society. Increased effectlveness of community and voluntary organisations that access the facilities and support on offer. These benefits are evldenced by the feedback and surveys we gather from visitors, artlsts, par¢1pant$ and public and our continued support from The Arts Council NI, Natlonal Lottery Fund, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and other funding partners and supporters. The trustees agree here is no foreseen hann flowlng from this purpose. The beneficiaries of this purpose are the gerberal publlc, vlsltors, and artists. The trustees agree that there Is no foreseen private benefit flowing from this purpose. FINANCIAL REVIEW & RESERVES POLICY Reserv.es at 31 March 2024 were £20,913 . The trustees have a policy to ensure that £15,000 of these TS ringfenced so that reserves do not fall below this level. The company's core expenditure is well controlled due to the nature of the operations.. It continues to expand its charitable and fund ralsing actlvlties to ensure It reaches as many people as possible. The profile of expenditure is as agreed with the funders when applicable. Unrestricted fijnds are funds which are available for use at the d15cretion of the trustees in ftlrtherance of the general .objettives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Deslgnated funds comprise unrestrlcted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The alm and use of each deslgnated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements If identified a5 such. Restrlcted funds are funds which are to be used In accordance with specific restrictsorss imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged agalnst the specific fund. IMPAcf OF COVID-19 The impact of coranavirus re5trictlons meant that there had been a reduction in physical in-person gatherings for performances and workshops and an increase in online activity. Now back to normal there has been no Impart on the Charity's sustainability due to the active management of the charity. The twstees are satisfied that the charity can continue to endeavour to achleve Its objectives.
R-.SPACE GALLER Y FINANCIAL STA TEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 TRUSTEES. REPORT (contlnued) GOING CONCERN The trustees, having considered the charity's income Streams, financlal means and strategy for dealing with issues such as the impact of Covid-19, over the next 12-18 months, are satislfEed that the golng concern basis Is appmpriate. FUTURE PLANS R-space wlll remain committed to secure fvnding for our programme and thus to offer inspiring exhibitlons, engaging participatory arts inltlatlves and outreach projects for the benefit of the public. As the organlsation strives to enhance Its capacity to benefit individuals and communlties, it Is our ambition to develop a creative hub. To this end R-SP3 Gallery will seek capital fundlng to purchase and restore the 'Lfsted Bulldlng that the charity occupies in Castle Street Lisburn and transform It Into 'The Linen Rooms Lisburn Creative Community Hub,. Thls would provlde a valuable creative space to further drive cultural, social and economic regeneration within the heart of the cty and contrlbute to revival of the hlstoric character of the Lisbum Historic Quarter. MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE R-space continued to be managed by a strong and enthusiastic operational team of managers with a wealth of expertise and experlence in management, programmingi development, marketing and administration. The Board of Trustee supported and guided the team thanks to their wide range of expertlse and a strong breadth of experienTr, both from within the cultural and private/business sectors. AUDrr EXEMPTXON In accordan with the provlsions of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 the charFty is exempt from the statutory audit requirement. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER The independent examlner, Donald R Mlnshull FCA of Minshull & Companyi Chartered Accountants and Statutory Audltor, offers hlmself for re-appointment. The Board of R-sPa Gallery would wlsh to thank the staff team and volunteers for their ongolng energy drive and commitment and thank all our funding partners and those across our communities of interest who contlnue to help R-Spa Gallery advance the arts, including contemporary vlsual arts and crafts, for the benefit of the publlc in the tisburn and Castlereagh area and its envlrons in Northern Ireland. A Clarke Chalrman of the Board of Trustees BY ORDER OF THE BOARD Date 27 November Z024