ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2025
The Trustees present their report and financial statement for the year ended 31 October 2025.
1 OUR PURPOSE AND ETHOS
The AADE was established in 1987 to help develop the professional skills of Art & Design members at all levels and support and reward the work of students. 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 an annual bursary
(vii) support PGCE students by having student representation on the committee
3 OUR IMPACT AND OUTCOMES IN 2024 – 2025
(i) The Trustees are pleased to report that 2024/25 allowed the Association to carry out its activities successfully.
(ii) The committee of twelve Trustees met through two zoom meetings and five meetings in person and were able to plan and implement two publications of the newsletter, three workshops, one artist’s residential retreat, one guided tour 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 2025 (contd.)
4 ACTIVITIES
There were three workshops and an artist’s residential retreat held in 2025.
(i) Anne Butler, a renowned ceramicist who had held three workshops the previous year ran a specialist plaster mould-making workshop in January. The specialist nature of the workshop allowed for only 5 participants.
Some comments from participants: -
I found the workshop extremely beneficial and I’m excited to incorporate these new skills into my own practice and to be able to use some of these mould s in school.
While I had some prior experience with this method, the hands-on nature of the workshop allowed me to refine my skills.
The workshop tutor, Anne Butler, stated she welcomed the opportunity to develop teachers’ skills which enable them to create resources for the classroom without the expense of unnecessary spending.
ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2025 (contd.)
4 ACTIVITIES (contd.)
(ii) Penny Brewill RE, printer and paper sculptor, led an intaglio and dry-point printing workshop, AADE PrintBox, in Seacourt Print Workshop, Bangor, for 10 participants over three and a half days. Following an introduction on the first day, participants prepared their plates at home for printing on day 2. Day 3 involved cutting and constructing the printed images in 3D before assembling them within box frames. These were then exhibited along with Seacourt Print members in May as part of Bangor Late Night Art. The workshop’s success can be measured in the response of participants.
Some comments from participants: -
I really benefitted from the opportunity of working in an artists’ studio with specialised equipment and the expertise of a professional printer.
Not having to finish in a few hours but to have several days to develop a more complex and refined piece
Seeing Penny’s exhibition was in inspiration and a challenge!
The tutor, Penny Brewill, stated she had benefitted from leading the workshop experience in a number of ways: -
It was an enlightening experience as depending on each participants’ chosen theme, different challenges were encountered.
I found the process made me question my own practice. I learnt to abandon my usual meticulous accurate measurements and figurative details in favour of exploring creative ‘play’ with scale, perspective, use of colour and texture to enhance overall aesthetic appeal.
ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2025 (contd.)
4 ACTIVITIES (contd.)
(iii) AADE Summer School
Kimberley Ladd from Seacourt Print Workshop led a Tetra Pak printmaking workshop in the Ulster Museum. Such was the demand for the workshop it ran for 3 days accommodating 10 participants each day. The availability of the packaging meant it was very cost effective and easily applied to the classroom situation. She demonstrated both collagraph and intaglio printmaking techniques. With the use of simple tools such as dry point needles and craft knives, images were incised into the plate. With the addition of textiles and card, texture was added to create colourful collagraphs. The day opened up a variety of techniques with endless possibilities.
Some comments from participants: -
I feel my practice is enriched and my enthusiasm is renewed with every workshop I attend.
The value of time spent in connecting with other art teaching professionals, time to enjoy and experiment with other like-minded people and learning from others on the day.
The creative licence to do whatever was wanted, with on-hand support, advice and suggestions from Kim and Holly.
Extending and developing skills, gaining confidence and knowledge with new techniques guided by a superb artist professional.
The tutor, Kimberley Ladd, stated she had benefitted from leading the workshop experience in a number of ways: -
This was the first time I had worked with teachers as an educator and was impressed by their level of skill and expertise. It was gratifying to know they would be able to apply the skills they had learnt with me to the classroom.
ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2025 (contd.)
(iv) French Residential Retreat
Following the success of the first three residential retreats, 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.
Participants enjoyed the opportunity to indulge in their creativity without the normal distractions of everyday life. Without the pressure of time and in the quiet of an idyllic rustic environment participants were able to work from observation and develop expressive pieces. The benefits of visiting cultural centres and French villages that were off the beaten track was only possible with the knowledge and expertise of the tutor Jasper McKinney.
Such was the success of the week that some members sold their works from the retreat at the Annual Teachers’ Exhibition held the following September.
(iv) Annual Teachers’ Exhibition
The 43rd Annual Teachers’ Exhibition in September was held in Holywood library. 66 teachers exhibited a total of 177 works.
Visiting artist, Dan Dowling, President RUA, opened the exhibition that showcased a wide range of fine art works and applied arts from its members.
As a result of the commission on sales and donations to the charity collection bucket, the President, Joanne Fitzpatrick, was able to present a cheque for £2500.00 to the nominated charity, Little Heroes, the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children.
- (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 2025 (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 an 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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The Association continued to deliver its popular programmes of events and workshops for teachers who no longer have training provided by the Education Authority. Its success can be measured by the demand for its workshops.
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A specialist workshop for plaster mould making was provided for a limited number of participants that would enable them to equip their schools with cost effective equipment.
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Board meetings were held at Hunterhouse College on five 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 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.
ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2025 (contd.)
7 OUR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN 2024 – 2025
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 had been halved. Due to the success of the AADE workshops, membership is once again on the rise. Expenditure includes: -
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The design, printing and postage of the newsletter
-
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.
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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 2024 – 2025 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 2025- 2026
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 maintain their links with the Freeland Foundation through their programme, New Visions and the NSEAD.
The Trustees are keen to broaden our activities and plan to run a fourth summer residential retreat in France.
ASSOCIATION FOR ART AND DESIGN EDUCATION (AADE)
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2025 (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 five times in person and twice via zoom during 2024 – 2025. 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 25 October 2025.
Deirdre Neill Secretary Dated: 4 March 2026