2023-10-31-annual-report

ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2023

The Trustees present their report and financial statement for the year ended 31 October 2023.

1 OUR PURPOSE AND ETHOS

The AADE was established in 1986 to help develop the professional skills of Art & Design members at all levels and support and reward the work of students through the CCEA examination system. It was registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland in 2019 (NIC 107471).

2 Our core aims are to:

• (i) advance the personal creativity and teaching skills of members through courses and workshops led by professional practitioners

• (ii) widen participants knowledge through cultural visits, lectures and talks

• (iii) develop partnerships with other like-minded bodies

• (iv) increase communication between members through a newsletter publication, social media, meetings and workshops

• (v) encourage members to showcase their work through an annual exhibition

• (vi) reward student excellence through the True Colours exhibition in conjunction with CCEA

• (vii) support PGCE students by having student representation on the committee

• 3 OUR IMPACT AND OUTCOMES IN 2022 – 2023

• (i) The Trustees are pleased to report that 2022/23 allowed the Association to resume most of its successful activities that had been curtailed due to the pandemic.

• (ii) The committee of twelve Trustees met through one zoom meeting and seven meetings in person and were able to plan and implement three publications of the newsletter, two workshops, one artist’s residential retreat, two guided tours and the annual exhibition of members’ work.

• (iii) The Association held the AGM in person thanks to the kind auspices of the Ulster Museum. The office bearers were happy to retain their positions for another year. The new committee were elected without the need for implementing the voting process as the number of committee members nominated, (5), did not exceed the maximum number of 5. There were no objections by the members to the lack of voting so the committee trusteeship was duly implemented.

• (iv) The amended and updated constitution was presented to the AGM in advance for any concerns to be addressed. There had been no concerns from the members nor those attending the AGM thus it was duly ratified and passed.

ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2023 (contd.)

4 ACTIVITIES

There were two workshops, an artist’s residential retreat and two guided tours in 2023. The first workshop, led by Barbara Allen was postponed from January to April due to the artist contracting Covid 19.

• (i) The renowned artist, Barbara Allen, led an experimental watercolour painting workshop combining unusual surfaces with painting and printmaking techniques in the Ulster Museum. Due to popular demand the one-day workshop was extended to two held in April. Its success can be measured in the response of participants. In total 21 participants attended.

Some comments from participants: -

We used some lovely thick sheets of watercolour paper to do more finished pieces but the best for me, was doing some scribbly mono printing on top of the now dried colour striped pages….I had such fun and really enjoyed it and can see how that would enthuse my kids back at school.

It was brilliant meeting up with like-minded people and stepping out of the rat race for a few hours. I enjoyed most being reminded of watercolour techniques and processes with monoprinting over the top.

Inspirational and very creative. Inspiring me to be more freely expressive in my work. I really enjoyed the peer learning and found the techniques very suitable for teaching students.

The workshop tutor, Barbara Allen, stated she benefitted from leading the workshop experience in a number of ways, which included: -

The benefits of working with this group of educators is to widen an audience for my work and they pass on to their students the information and skills I share on the workshops.

I also am encouraged that some teachers have contacted me to say that they have incorporated the print skills into their schemes of work for the classroom.

The teachers I worked with on these days have a strong art and design background and I am able to plan skills at a more challenging level and this is good for my own personal practice.

ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2023 (contd.)

(ii) AADE Summer School

The Fibre to Fabric project focused on promoting a green and sustainable future. It explored sustainable approaches to textiles where innovation connected with traditional skills. Hazel Bruce, Director of Textiles, Art, Design and Fashion, University of Ulster, School of Art, led a two-day workshop in an Urban Patchwork Project. A special seminar and presentation by professionals in the creative field of work, was a bonus for participants. Demand for the course far exceeded availability in which 22 participants attended. Some comments from participants:

I got a real sense of accomplishment and enjoyment that was the perfect end to the summer. The processes and techniques taught will impact on what I do in the classroom and add a different dimension to my teaching.

It is such a valuable opportunity to connect with the expertise and resources of the Art College.

Thoroughly enjoyed learning new things using scrap resources as well as connecting with colleagues during two creative days.

The summer school workshop allows us (teachers) to recharge our creative batteries and get ready for our return to school after the summer holidays.

The workshop tutor, Hazel Bruce, noted the benefits of leading the workshop:

Our Head of School, Brian Dickson, is keen on developing a summer school as a regular part of our year, with more departments so this course has been a catalyst for change.

Working with the teachers is a valuable opportunity for university staff to make a connection with schools. It gives teachers an insight into the creative work at third level and this feeds back into schools and prospective students for the future.

ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2023 (contd.)

(iii) French Residential Retreat Jasper McKinney led the first rural retreat in Nadal, southwest France during the first week of July. Six members attended and participated in creative activities and cultural outings in the local area.

Some comments from participants:

I produced one of my paintings during an en plein air session in Jasper’s garden, which was an exciting and refreshing way to work. With his excellent guidance, I focused my attention on what I saw and simplified it.

Drawing directly from the landscape was an important part of French Impressionism so for me it was an exciting opportunity to be able to do this in the south of France.

During a visit to the Jean Lurcat exhibition, situated high above the village of Saint Cere, I soaked in the panoramic balcony views. I took lots of photographs that inspired a large-scale painting when I got home.

The art retreat tutor, Jasper Mc Kinney, stated he had benefitted from taking the retreat:

Experiencing new historical and contextual references to personal creative development. Sharing of technical skills and good practice in a supportive peer approach.

Getting inspired by the participants, using your resource, (your home and fabulous countryside environment), for creative purposes to inspire educational professionals.

(iv) The 41st Annual Teachers’ Exhibition in September held in Holywood library. 57 teachers exhibited a total of 156 works. As a result of the commission on sales and donations to the charity collection bucket, the President, Sinead Young, was able to present a cheque for £2000.00 to the nominated charity, Women’s Aid.

Visiting artist, Sean McBride, opened the exhibition and commented: -

Congratulations to all who have taken part and whose work and professional development will result in stimulating creativity in the classroom.

ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2023 (contd.)

• (v) Following the AGM a free guided tour of the RUA exhibition for all members at the Ulster Museum in October led by AADE treasurer, Maggi Bowen.

• (vi) Frances Ryan and her husband, Gary Devon, gave members a guided tour of their studios and Frances demonstrated some of the experimental techniques used in her paintings.

ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2023 (contd.)

5 COMMUNICATIONS

• (I) Three issues of the newsletter were published; spring, summer and autumn. Reports focused on the events and activities of the Association, innovative and creative activities in classrooms across the province, information on future workshops and careers within the creative industries.

• (II) Facebook and Instagram continue to be a popular and immediate form of communication on events and activities and of concerns from teachers seeking advice and staffing placement.

6 OUR PERFORMANCE

• To meet the demands of the watercolour-painting workshop the number of workshops was increased from one to two rather than increase the number of participants at each event. This satisfied the restrictions placed by COVID-19 legislation on both the numbers attending an event and the restrictions placed by the venue, the Ulster Museum. The second workshop was held in the University of Ulster during the summer holidays.

• Board meetings were held at Hunterhouse College on seven occasions and via Zoom on two occasions. The annual AGM was held in the Ulster Museum. The previous year’s minutes and agenda had been emailed to members in advance with the financial report by the treasurer and annual report by the secretary tabled at the meeting. The updated constitution, showing minor amendments and adjustments, had been emailed to all members one month in advance of the AGM. No objections or amendments had been raised, thus it was presented to the meeting where it was ratified and passed. The meeting included a short address from the president, reports from both the treasurer and the secretary. The structure of the committee was retained with no objections from members.

• A restricted True Colours exhibition curated by CCEA was delivered on-line. Insufficient information was available to allow for the judgement and rewarding of excellence to deserving students.

ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2023 (contd.)

7 OUR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN 2022 – 2023

The trustees are pleased to report on the healthy state of our finances.

Our main source of income is the annual subscription from members. With the change of membership subscription from direct debit to standing order, the number of members has been halved. Expenditure includes: -

• The design, printing and postage of the newsletter

• Annual insurance

• Artists’ fees and additional materials provided for workshops

• Commissions from the Annual Teachers’ Exhibition and proceeds from donations paid to the nominated charity

• Bank charges.

The treasurer presents a financial report at every meeting for consideration. The Trustees are satisfied that our financial reporting systems are accurate and provide good quality information.

The results of the financial year are set out in the Financial Report 2022 – 2023 under the receipts and payments statement on page 1.

8 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Peter Beattie, a retired bank manager provides an independent financial report.

9 OUR PLANS AND PRIORITIES FOR 2022- 2023

The Trustees are keen to increase the number of members through the running of popular workshops and the advertising of the Association’s activities.

The Trustees are keen to maintain the running of the popular summer school.

The Trustees are keen to broaden our activities and plan to run a second summer residential retreat in France.

ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2023 (contd.)

10 GOVERNANCE

The Association is managed by a committee of Trustees and run for the benefit of its members. They are all volunteers who are elected at the Annual General Meeting.

The committee consists of 7 office bearers, 3-5 committee members, 1-2 Art & Design PGCE student representatives and up to 3 co-opted members from organisations that link and support the AADE.

The committee met 7 times in person and twice via zoom during 2022 – 2023.

None of the Trustees have any beneficial or financial interests in the Association.

The Association is fully insured through PL Insurance.

The Association does not hold nor rent any property for meetings and events but has benefitted from the free use of the Ulster Museum and Hunterhouse College, Belfast.

The Association has assets in the form of 9 original prints donated by the artist, Neil Shawcross. He gifted them with the intention of raising funds for the Association at a time and place designated by the Trustees.

11 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements were approved by the membership on 21 October 2023.

Deirdre Neill Secretary Dated: ?? 2024