ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2024
The Trustees present their report and financial statement for the year ended 31 October 2024.
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 2023 – 2024
(i) The Trustees are pleased to report that 2023/24 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 two 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 five committee members nominated did not exceed the maximum number required of five. There were no objections by the members to unnecessary voting so the committee trusteeship was duly implemented.
ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2024 (contd.)
4 ACTIVITIES
There were three workshops and an artist’s residential retreat held in 2024.
(i) Frances Ryan, a popular and well-known artist whose studio we had visited in August 2023, led a mixed media workshop on portraiture in the Ulster Museum. Due to popular demand, the one day workshop was extended to two held in November 2023. In total 26 participants attended.
Some comments from participants: -
When I heard of the workshop I got my name on the list because I love the mixed media and layering work she does. Frances is so personable and relaxed but her attitude to preparation and organisation is so professional. There wasn’t a sound in the room as we all focused on our efforts. The results were diverse and the creativity flowing. The time flew and I headed home buzzing.
This was a workshop that I have been able to bring into the classroom to help my pupils focus, relax and take a chance, not to be afraid and see what happens.
I attended the workshop and was inspired to do a similar lesson with my AS class. The students were encouraged not to be worried about creating a true likeness and to be experimental. They were happy to use a range of media and to be experimental. Some of the portraits were quick, some detailed, some they went back to later and added finer detail. The students enjoyed the task and produced some great work.
The workshop tutor, Frances Ryan, 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.
Some teachers have contacted me to say that they have incorporated the mixed media skills into their schemes of work for the classroom which is encouraging. The teachers I worked with on these days have a strong art and design background and I was able to plan skills at a more challenging level that is good for my own personal practice.
ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2024 (contd.)
4 ACTIVITIES (contd.)
(ii) Sue Cathcart, folk artist and well-known for her Mr Papers range of cards and 3D sculptures led a two day creative and fun filled workshop in the Ulster Museum during the month of April. Participants created a sturdy form over an armature on the first day before collaging and painting them on the second day to create amusing and personal sculptures. The workshop’s success can be measured in the response of participants. I total 14 participants attended.
Some comments from participants: -
You couldn’t help but get excited! Workshops are for learning, connecting with artists and colleagues as well as developing personal creativity. These two days hit the nail on the head!
Both days were really excellent. Great ideas, really well resourced, super inspiration, thank you Sue!
Just fabulous! Now feel more confident in tackling this type of project with junior classes. I also feel more capable of taking it to a higher level for GCSE and ADS/A2 classes.
The tutor, Sue Cathcart, stated she had benefitted from leading the workshop experience in a number of ways that included: -
The buzz and focus from the group of teachers was great. The enthusiasm was infectious and inspiring for my own creativity.
ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2024 (contd.)
4 ACTIVITIES (contd.)
(iii) AADE Summer School
Renowned ceramicist, Anne Butler, led a three-day workshop in her studio that due to popular demand ran from August to October. To accommodate the demand each day ran twice with the final day running three times, totalling seven sessions. Day 1 focussed on surface detail using coloured slips on clay available to schools. Day 2 extended the skills by applying a monoprint to clay that was dropped into a plaster mould to form a small bowl. Inspired by visual examples supplied by Anne, day 3 focussed on creating a large bowl that could be altered by cutting into and reforming its shape. In total, 20 participants attended days 1 and 2 and in total 13 participants attended day 3 that was split over two days.
Some comments from participants: -
Anne was so willing to share her skills and knowledge. Learning new techniques especially monoprinting to inform my own personal and professional practice as a HOD and teacher.
It was wonderful to take time out to develop my own skills. Working in a professional potter’s studio was idyllic, stepping out of everyday life to immerse myself in my own creative world.
Absolutely loved the monoprinting technique and mark making onto clay. Thank you, Anne and Fang, a really brilliant well organised course. A fantastic two day retreat.
Superb. I have since used these techniques with my year11 class. Anne’s tuition was very clear. I took photos on the day and along with her PowerPoint it was very easy to bring these techniques back to the classroom. I also shared with my department as part of my PRSD.
The tutor, Anne Butler, stated she had benefitted from leading the workshop experience in a number of ways that included: -
It is a pleasure to work with art and design teachers. They bring a high level of creativity, which results in them taking my taught techniques to a high level and in some cases sharing these techniques in schools.
The planning preparation challenges me to develop my workshop practice including trialing new processes designed to meet their needs. This feeds into other taught classes, which I carry out with students at third level education.
Additionally I benefit from some members of the group buying my work and sharing my practice with a new audience of ceramic collectors, which contributes to my business.
ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2024 (contd.)
(iv) French Residential Retreat
Following the success of the first residential retreat, Jasper McKinney again led a rural retreat in Nadal, southwest France during the first week of July. Four members attended and participated in creative activities and cultural outings in the local area. Some comments from participants:
Idyllic setting, gorgeous rustic dwellings and unspoilt countryside were the perfect antidote to a busy life. Without any distractions it gave me the chance to slow down and put my energies into focussing on creating studies from observation.
Encouraged by Jasper, I moved out of my comfort zone to create more expressive and colourful work that moved beyond the literal.
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) Annual Teachers’ Exhibition
The 42nd Annual Teachers’ Exhibition in September held in Holywood library. 54 teachers exhibited a total of 121 works. As a result of the commission on sales and donations to the charity collection bucket, the President, Kate Diamond, was able to present a cheque for £2000.00 to the nominated charity, Solas.
Visiting artist, Hazel Bruce, opened the exhibition and commented: -
This was a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the practitioners of art & design in schools and stress the importance of linking them to opportunities in the university. It is important to remember that teachers of art and design are also artists. This exhibition allows them to showcase their skills and continue to create in their spare time. I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping up and developing skills run through workshops by professionals that can be transferred to the classroom as well as fuelling enthusiasm for the subject.
(v) AADE guided tour of the RUA exhibition
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.
ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2024 (contd.)
5 COMMUNICATIONS
(i) Two issues of the newsletter were published; summer and winter. 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
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To meet the demands of the mixed media workshop the number of workshops was increased from one to two rather than increase the number of participants at each event. Both it and the sculpture workshop were held in the Ulster Museum.
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The third workshop was held in the artist’s studio during the summer holidays and on Saturdays during September and October.
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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 and reports from both the treasurer and the secretary. The structure of the committee was retained with no objections from members.
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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 2023 – 2024
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: -
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The design, printing and postage of the newsletter
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Annual insurance
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Artists’ fees and additional materials provided for workshops
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Commissions from the Annual Teachers’ Exhibition and proceeds from donations paid to the nominated charity
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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 2024- 2025
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 third summer residential retreat in France.
ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2024 (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 seven times in person and twice via zoom during 2023 – 2024. 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 19 October 2024.
Deirdre Neill Secretary Dated: 11.06.2025