annual review 2014 – 15

What we do

Farnham Maltings is a creative organisation that works across South East England with artists, communities and curators to develop a vibrant, contemporary and distinct culture for our region.

Our vision

We believe that creativity helps us make sense of the world, brings people together and has the potential to articulate new ideas.

By encouraging people to participate in cultural activity, as audience and makers, we believe that we will foster a healthier, happier and safer contemporary Britain.

Our objectives

1. showcasing and programming - presenting a range of new work for a public audience

2. producing and commissioning - making our own work and collaborating with others

3. nurturing artists and makers - identifying, supporting and championing the region’s talent

4. engaging and co-creating - using the arts as a tool for public engagement

who we are

cover: ‘Orpheus’, a Little Bulb Theatre and Battersea Arts Centre co-production, in association with Farnham Maltings image: James Allan ©

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As well as being a happy, busy and successful year, the past 12 months have been about preparing for the next stage of our 50 year adventure. We have secured the partnerships to completely refurbish the Great Hall, creating a more comfortable, flexible, modern space; and finally, to upgrade the main toilets. These works have only been possible because our community values us by visiting, buying tickets, investing as patrons, becoming members and donating their time and money. We also delight in the continued support and encouragement from Waverley Borough Council and Farnham Town Council. It is all too easy to underestimate the value this support brings, not only for the work it allows in the town and across the borough but as a demonstration of faith that we can share with national bodies. In terms of activity we are particularly proud of two things: first, Spark, the festival of young people’s art involving 12 groups of young people from across the borough, coming together as a celebration of the huge range of talent that exists in our communities. And secondly, the work we have developed with the Alzheimer’s Society to support elders across the town. All of this, combined with the astonishing range of voluntary organisations like the University of the Third Age, that use these buildings encourage us to believe that we are set fair for the next 50 years.

Gavin Stride, Director

reflections

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our home

When the Maltings was threatened with development in the late 1960s, the people of Farnham joined together to save the building for community use. This stewardship role continues today, but as important has been to articulate what these buildings can deliver. We have set ourselves the ambition of contributing to the shape and character of the town, by hosting hustings, building programmes of performances and events, and creating opportunities for the community to gather, share and imagine. It has been as important to us to provide a convivial café and cared for buildings, as the range of work we show.

We have managed to develop a model in which we now cover all of our core operating costs through self-generated income, which allows us to work with our partners; Waverley Borough Council, Farnham Town Council, Arts Council England on a model in which all of their investment goes directly into activity. The managing of the Museum has further grounded us in the town as a cultural provider; one that is concerned for the particularity of our community, for being useful to all, and led by a staff team who are as happy to work across the borough as well as attracting the community to us.

Thread 2014, illustrated by Emma Block. Commissioned by Farnham Maltings.

‘From humble beginnings when we dug trenches; walked miles to buy the grand piano; made cakes and sold books it has been a huge joy to see the Maltings prosper and develop into the lively arts centre we have today.’ Meg & Brian Daniels, patrons

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Thread 2014, illustrated by Emma Block. Commissioned by Farnham Maltings.

Better connecting the ambitions of artists and audiences underpins most of our work. We believe we can create work that is contemporary and popular, experimental and familiar, local and international. Our focus on building the range of new work for a public audience forms part of our ambition to create a sustainable arts infrastructure.

During 14/15 the theatre programme has flourished. Many performances sell out and, covering our costs means we can expand the programme. Alternative content and films are also important, complemented by the craft festivals, and contribute significantly to the resilience of the business.

Now in its third year, house programmes contemporary theatre to over 150 venues in the region. We programme more international work and theatre from major producers including The Gate and Paines Plough. In 2014, we ran caravan, the national platform for contemporary theatre, presenting work over three days within the Brighton Festival. This has directly led to England-based theatre companies touring to countries in every part of the world.

showcasing and programming

caravan

Since 2008 we have been organising caravan, a biennial showcase of contemporary theatre to which we invite international festival organisers and programmers, with the ambition of raising the profile of English theatre around the world. caravan 2014 presented 20 companies to over 50 delegates with well over half starting conversations about exporting their work. Internationally caravan has built a reputation for presenting theatre designed to reach new audiences often in non-traditional places with work being shown on the roof of a car park, backstage in the Theatre Royal, in parks, on the beach and in church halls.

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‘We’ve been coming here since we were teenagers, and started our business here. We just love the quirkiness of the place - and feeling part of the team.’ Alice & Ginny, associate tutors

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unravel, a festival of knitting 2015

Returning for its seventh year, our annual international festival of knitting, unravel, took place over three days from Friday 20 – Sunday 22 February. As always there was a bustling marketplace of yarns and notions, workshops, talks and participatory artwork. We were particularly pleased to host two international knitters. First, Bristol Ivy a knitting designer and teacher from Portland, Maine whose designs have been featured in many collections and magazines such as Brooklyn Tweed’s Wool People, PomPom Quarterly, Interweave Knits, and Knitscene. Secondly, Annemor Sundbø a textile designer and teacher of weaving who is seen as one of Norway’s leading craft experts.

maltings presents

This year our focus has been on increasing audiences of families and young people and the building has been buzzing as the Great Hall is filled for performances such as Danny, Champion of the World. We hosted our first ever live ballet with Ballet Cyrmu’s adaptation of classic story Beauty and the Beast, and also took our first satellite ballet screening from The Royal Ballet in Covent Garden. We have worked closely with local schools, welcoming hundreds of students to our Met Opera screenings. One school used the experience as the basis for a competition for students to design their own opera houses.

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producing and commissioning

We remain artist-led and see the making of our own art and work made with others as an essential part of our character.

This year we have produced the work of Little Bulb Theatre, Victoria Melody and Catherine Ireton and, without exception, the profile and quality of their work has been raised. Little Bulb Theatre gained national plaudits for Orpheus and Antarctica; Catherine Ireton enjoyed success at Edinburgh and Victoria Melody presented Major Tom in Europe and North America. We also produced and toured nationally a highly successful adaptation of It’s a Wonderful Life.

Through house we have been developing a model to make more of the best, recent, contemporary theatre; by showing quality work to a wider audience we will help the art form thrive. The re-commissioning process allows companies to remake and tour their best work to a new audience, one we have begun with by supporting Chris Goode to retour Longwave.

It’s a Wonderful Life

One of the surprising things Farnham Maltings does is to create theatre productions for village halls that tour nationally. In South Wales, Cheshire and Aberdeen - as well as communities across Surrey - we are known for producing theatre events designed to bring the whole community together. Throughout the past winter four actors and a stage manager have been delighting audiences with our adaptation of the classic Christmas story of small town America and the difference each person can make. So successful was the production that it is already fully booked for a national tour in 2015.

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‘The Maltings has taken the time to work with us to create a unique producing relationship that allows our artistic endeavours to flourish whilst simultaneously developing our administrative practices. In short, we owe them everything.’ Little Bulb Theatre,©

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Little Bulb Theatre

At the beginning of the year Little Bulb Theatre, who we produce, did a second six week run of their critically acclaimed co-production with Battersea Arts Centre, Orpheus, to sell out audiences followed by a week-long run at the Salzburg Festival. As a result of the critical and audience response to Orpheus, in partnership with Battersea Arts Centre, we successfully put together a mid-scale national 2015 tour for the show. In the winter we transferred our 2013 co-production with Bristol Old Vic, Antarctica, to London reaching 8,000 children and their families. Bristol Old Vic has commissioned Little Bulb Theatre again to make their 2015 children’s Christmas show.

greenhouse

greenhouse was our response to reinvigorating the relationship between artists and audiences across the region. The initiative is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, which awarded us £252,827 over three years. In this first year, we have identified and invested in 10 partnerships between a company and a regional venue interested in working with them on a new piece of theatre for their audiences, with the best work then touring. Our ambition is for South East England to be identified as a natural and strong place for artists to make and present new contemporary theatre.

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We continue to work at contributing to the regional ecology for theatre and craft by identifying, supporting and championing the region’s talent and working with others who share our ambitions.

We have met our commitment to offer time and advice to every company who asks, meeting with over 45 companies, distributed £6,000 to 8 groups of young artists to support them in making their first piece of theatre and provided space and support to over a dozen resident and associate companies including Stopgap, Dance Movement, Pursued by a Bear and Max Humphries.

Over the past year the 16 craft studios we provide at the Maltings have been fully occupied and our artists’ newsletter is circulated to over 900 artists and companies.

One of the most significant initiatives we have led has been to develop three consortia bids to the Creative Employment Programme, which has resulted in nearly 50 young people gaining six months paid internships within the cultural sector.

‘My arts career started as an intern after the Maltings led a consortium bid to fund paid internships across the region. A year later I landed a job with the Maltings and just love its drive, innovation and creativity.’Jon Mileman, marketing officer

nurturing artists and makers

no strings attached

no strings attached is a grant scheme which enables young artists living in the south east to make their first piece of professional work. We have been running the scheme since 2009 and the huge appeal for us – and the young people who access it – is its simplicity. One of the ways in which no strings attached has grown its ambitions since first launching is through a partnership with Unlimited Impact to support young disabled artists. One of the first theatre-makers to benefit from this partnership was Hannah Sampson, who has been awarded £1,000 to fund her involvement in the Young Creatives Programme at DanceDigital and choreograph her first piece of work.

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studios

We host over twenty independent craft businesses in our studios ranging from puppetry to printmaking. There is a real community feel in the East Wing with makers actively involved in running support networks for jewellers and textile makers.

This year we have taken a more active approach in supporting our resident makers. We provide opportunities to sell work through the Maltings’ stores and festivals. We also encourage our makers to get involved in our workshop programme with Nao Fukumoto, a resident Japanese Weaver, displaying key pieces and teaching weaving skills at Thread, our festival of textiles.

the young company

The Maltings’ youth theatre group for 14-25 year olds has almost doubled in size over the past year. Led by a professional theatre artist, The Young Company meets weekly to explore and create high quality theatre and develop stagecraft skills.

This year, the group took part in the National Theatre’s annual youth theatre festival. Working as an ensemble cast, they staged and performed Remote, a new play by award winning writer, Stef Smith. The group has also worked with a range of professional theatre makers, including two of our produced artists: Victoria Melody and Little Bulb Theatre.

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We understand the value of the arts as a tool for public engagement and that there is a relationship between the number and range of people participating in the arts with creation of communities that are made safer, stronger and healthier.

The youth theatre continues to flourish, not only at the Maltings but across the borough, with artists now working with young carers, young parents, home educated young people and young homeless which culminated in Spark, the youth theatre festival which we are now planning as a three day event. Over the past year we have also successfully supported 250 young people through their bronze level Arts Award.

In response to the shifting priorities of local authorities we have developed a more coherent offer for elders – particularly through a programme of work with the Alzheimer’s Society.

‘There is always something different taking place at the Maltings, yet at the same time, there remains a lovely local vibe, with wonderful people, both in the customers and the staff. It’s unique and I love it.’ Karen Hopper, volunteer

engaging and co-creating

finding farnham community dig

In 2014 the Museum ran Finding Farnham, a community dig project, which brought together people of all ages to explore archaeology and engage them in Farnham’s rich archaeological history. Over the course of July test-pits were set up around the town and over 800 members of the local community actively took part through digging, investigating and recording finds.

The Finding Farnham project has taught us that hands-on experience is an excellent way to connect and engage with the local community. The success in 2014 has encouraged us to continue the project with an additional year of digging.

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arts and elders

In 2014 we established arts and elders; a programme delivering Singing for the Brain, Museum tours, tea dances and relaxed cinema screenings, for people with Dementia and their carers. Building on the success of this pilot, which has reached over 358 people and shown tangible benefits to wellbeing, we will launch Meet Me at the Maltings, an initiative to redress social isolation in over 65s.

Staff and volunteers received specialist training; attended conferences on Cultural Commissioning and Creative Dementia; and built links with local partners - all contributing to a forward thinking, welcoming venue for vulnerable adults.

spark

This year, Spark, the Maltings’ annual youth arts festival, engaged over 150 young people from across Waverley, focussing on those who are disadvantaged or at risk of social isolation. Eleven groups were paired with professionals from various art forms for a six week creative project, culminating in a one day performance and celebration to a live audience.

In early 2015 Spark paired young people from local homeless support charity, Step by Step, with a professional filmmaker. Together the group designed, shot, presented and edited a short introductory film about the charity and how it supports young homeless people.

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maltings by numbers

What follows is our attempt to describe the range and scale of the work of Farnham Maltings. We are mindful that much of our work extends far past the buildings, that we are hugely dependant on our ability to forge partnerships with people not like ourselves who nevertheless might share our ambitions and that our capability and impact is enhanced by the volunteers and staff.

We report in detail to Arts Council England, Waverley Borough Council and Farnham Town Council, on the numbers and outcomes that they ask us to meet including the scale of audience, artists we have worked with, where that work has happened, and the new initiatives we are undertaking to reach new audiences. All of this is available to view on request.

‘For me, barbering is very creative and at the Maltings I can just do my thing with like-minded people - it’s a lovely place.’ Dan Huxley, resident barber

£ 1.3 million earned income

through venue hire, box office income, catering services and other activities

13.8% reduction in our overall consumption of gas, water and electricity

71,099 people experienced a touring

performance by, or promoted by, us

42% growth in our Facebook fanbase

£532,000 raised

in philanthropic giving and project grants

101 volunteers contributed 14,000 hours at the Maltings and Museum

new partnerships forged9

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71,099 people experienced a touring

performance by, or promoted by, us

directly supported

2,875 people engaged with our

workshop programme

home to 36 craft makers

& theatre companies

178 theatre companies £532,000 raised

in philanthropic giving and project grants

managed

6 craft residencies and ran an international craft exchange programme

programmed contemporary theatre into more than

60 communities across south England

hosted 3,000 community events for local and national groups

collaborated with

27 countries

commissioned

new theatre productions6

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53,746 people attended a ticketed event at the Maltings

organised theatre residencies

financial summary

‘Discovering brilliant theatre companies and bringing them to Farnham is wonderful. I really enjoy finding the right work for our audiences and seeing them grow.’Vikki Jones, theatre programmer

2014 –15 has been a good year for the Maltings, creating a forward-looking business that is financially resilient, well managed and capable of delivering our ambition to contribute to the wellbeing of all the people of the town. We continue to generate all of our overhead costs from earned income and have further developed the partnerships and alliances that allow us to continue to grow the work we deliver. These partnerships now extend to working with the University for the Creative Arts, Waverley Borough Council, Farnham Town Council, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Arts Council England.

We continue to explore ways of improving our efficiency, environmental sustainability and refurbishing the buildings – including a planned redevelopment of the Great Hall for which we have secured the resources. One significant new development has been an increase in philanthropic giving to our work, through online donations and the launch of our patrons scheme.

Statement of financial activities year ended 31 March 2015

2015 2014 2015 unrestricted

funds

2015 restricted

funds

2015 designated

funds

Income £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000

Incoming resources from generated funds

362 288 362 - -

Incoming resources from charitable activities

2,376 2,314 974 487 915

Total incoming resources 2,738 2,602 1,336 487 915

Expenditure

Cost of charitable activities

2,485 2,272 1,264 470 751

Governance 5 6 5 - -

Total resources expended

2,490 2,278 1,269 470 751

Gross transfers between funds

- - 32 (8) (24)

Net incoming resources 248 324 99 9 140

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2015

£’000 £’000

Fixed assets 1,337 1,337

Current assets 975 755

Current liabilities (343) (365)

Creditors: amount falling due after one year1

(47) (54)

Net assets 1,921 1,673

Financed by Unrestricted funds 1,622 1,382

Restricted funds 298 291

The figures in this report were extracted from the Maltings’ full financial statements. The audit opinion on the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2015 was unqualified. The financial statements should be consulted for a full understanding of the results of the Farnham Maltings Association Ltd and of its financial position. A copy may be obtained from the Finance Department at Farnham Maltings.

Staff

Gavin Stride, Director

Senior Management Team

Fiona Baxter, Deputy Director, ArtsSue Ellis, Deputy Director, AdminAlison O’Neill, Finance Director

Theatre

Caroline Begalla, Janice Brittain,Julia Clague, Vikki Jones,Richard Kingdom, Heather Rose,Katie Williams, Sarah Wilson

Craft & Events

Lynsey Nichols, Caroline Pearce

Finance & Operations,

Steven Bell, Julie Birkin, Caroline Dinning, Sophie Easterbrook, Gillian Ellis, Jon Mileman, Sally Ovenden, Nikki Small, Diane Trillwood

Museum

Elizabeth May, Sophie Smith

Catering

Melanie Cooper, Saoussan Cowley, Fia Dobiesz, Mark McCallum,Karen Melia, Julia Webber, Kelly Weston

Box Office & Front of HouseDavid Carr, Jonquil Nagle, Suzie Petcher, Anna Garrett, Kate Osborn, Angela Weston

Building MaintenanceBiance Burge, Ciaran Devaney, Wendy Hughes, Beverley Othen, Scott Steele, Barry Taylor, Scott Taylor, Chris Thompson, Sam Thompson

Board

Bill Baxter, ChairJohn BeerDavid Brinton, Treasurer Tarnya CooperAlan MasonRobin Norton-HaleRuth PelopidaHannah PhungDavid SeallZoe SeenanStuart WIlliamson, Vice Chair

RepresentativesDenise Le Gal, Surrey County CouncilCllr Julia Potts, Waverley Borough Council Pat Frost, Farnham Town Council

the maltings‘ team

A note from our Chair, Bill Baxter:

The Maltings has been one of the main focal points of Farnham since it was preserved by and for the community in the 1970s. I am delighted to say we are continuing to enhance the building with funding primarily from Arts Council England by revamping the Great Hall to increase flexibility of use. The fabric of the building is being protected and enhanced for the benefit of its users and future generations. Perhaps as, or more, important is what goes on within the building. The arts offer has been enhanced and the catering offer dramatically improved. All this has lead to a stronger, more secure and robust organisation. This along with the many strong relationships built up with local authorities, Arts Council England and other funding organisations has meant the Maltings has had another very successful year. The success of the business is down to the staff team led by our Director, Gavin Stride and to the numerous volunteers who give their time so freely and willingly. I am convinced that the Maltings will continue to succeed and prosper with the commitment of all concerned. The future is very positive.

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Funding Partners

Arts Council EnglandArts Partnership SurreyArtsworkBritish CouncilCreative and Cultural SkillsDCMSEsmée Fairbairn FoundationEuropean Regional Development FundFarnham and District Museum SocietyFarnham Institute CharityFarnham LionsFarnham Building Preservation TrustFarnham Round TableFarnham SocietyFarnham Town CouncilHedgehogsHeritage Lottery FundThe Lynn FoundationMinistry of DefenceSelvedgeSurrey Community ActionSurrey Community FoundationSurrey Youth ServicesThe Thistle TrustWaverley Borough Council

Working Partners

ActivateArtsworkBattersea Arts CentreLa BrecheBlower FoundationBrighton Dome and Festival

Bristol Old VicCAMRAChamber of CommerceCranleigh Arts CentreCrafts Study CentreCrying Out LoudCirque Jules VerneColchester Arts CentreConseil General de la MancheFarnham Amateur Operatic SocietyFarnham Decorative and Fine ArtsForest Lodge Garden CentreHarlow PlayhouseIndependent Theatre CouncilJewellery and Silversmith networkJames Hockey GalleryMaltings Makers Textile NetworkMAYKNewbury Corn ExchangeNew Ashgate GalleryNew Wolsey Theatre IpswichOxford PlayhouseThe Point EastleighPuSh festivalLa RenaissanceRock ChoirSea Change ArtsSouthern CeramicsSouth Street ReadingSouth Street TrustSquires KitchenTheatre Passe MurailleUK Hand Knitting AssociationUniversity for the Creative ArtsUniversity of the Third Age

Farnham Maltings Bridge Square Farnham GU9 7QR

01252 745444 info@farnhammaltings.com www.farnhammaltings.com

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