Review 2013/14

inspiring creativity, enriching lives

“Independent cinema and arts centres are vital to the life of vibrant cities. At their best they inspire creativity, and bring all the riches of world cinema and creative arts to a setting that guarantees a warm welcome, stimulating company, and fresh challenges – in short a sense of community.”

– Prof Alan Tuckett OBE, Chair of Trustees

Phot

o: Ia

n D

avie

s

WELCOME TO PHOENIXLocated in the heart of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, Phoenix is the city’s centre for independent cinema, art and digital culture. A registered charity, we aim to bring inspirational film and art to all and are supported by funding from our major stakeholders – Leicester City Council, Arts Council England and De Montfort University – as well as from income generated through ticket sales, our Café Bar, corporate events and hires, and donations from customers and members. We work hard to ensure Phoenix is a place where everyone can feel welcome and inspired. Our diverse programme provides opportunities for all ages to explore, engage and create with film, art and digital technology, offering new ways of looking at the world around us and challenging us to think differently.

A FEW WORDS FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Welcome to our first annual review, which marks the start of a new effort to involve our customers, supporters and stakeholders much more in our charitable activities.

Since moving to the Cultural Quarter five years ago Phoenix has certainly ‘taken-off’, with more people enjoying our programme every year. In 2013/14, box office sales rose by 26% and Café Bar income by 31%. Many more people participated in free arts events or used Phoenix for social and business gatherings, and according to our survey the vast majority of our customers would recommend us to their families and friends.

Phoenix has become firmly established in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter thanks to our customers, our dedicated and caring staff, excellent Trustees, and the continuing support and confidence of our stakeholders. Other key supporters include the British Film Institute and EUROPA, who help us to offer a diverse cultural film programme.

Throughout Phoenix’s 26-year history as a registered charity, its ethos has been cultural innovation and support for emerging artists, firmly anchored in the local community: I hope you see this in the review.

John Rance

... AND OUR CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Independent cinema and arts centres are vital to the life and communities of vibrant cities, stimulating creativity and bringing the riches of world cinema and creative arts to a setting that guarantees a warm welcome, stimulating company, and fresh challenges.

As we complete our fifth year since Phoenix moved to the Cultural Quarter, we have come a long way in achieving that mix. Our cinema programme is richly diverse, and the audience growing strongly; our gallery presents work in the digital arts from the nationally and internationally distinguished, to emergent local talent; and our education programme includes outreach work with local education providers. We support local festivals – notably Spark and An Indian Summer – and young artists, and celebrate local filmmaking. And then there is the Café Bar – vibrant and busy, day and evening.

Like all charities, Phoenix relies on support to achieve all this, and I thank our key stakeholders for their vital contribution. I would also like to acknowledge the Board members – and my predecessor, Mike Sanderson – for their strong steer, and of course, our paying customers.

Most of all, though, I thank John Rance and the wonderful staff who have done so much to make Phoenix a welcoming and stimulating place.

Professor Alan Tuckett, OBE

The Onesie Cycle VIP by Benedict Drew, Cube Gallery 2013

LEICESTER’S DIGITAL HEART

MORE THAN JUST A CINEMA

Cinema is a communal experience, uniting people with a shared interest. Our film programme is selected by us for our local audience – many of the films are not shown anywhere else locally – and includes work by local filmmakers, heritage film, and directors Q&A sessions.

This ability to choose films that reflect the rich diversity of Leicester’s population gives Phoenix enormous relevance within the community it serves and cements our position at the heart of the city’s cultural offer.

In addition to film, our hugely popular Stage on Screen programme of international theatre, ballet and opera, streamed live by satellite, brings major productions from the likes of the National Theatre, Bolshoi Ballet and Glyndebourne to audiences in Leicester. This year Stage on Screen extended to include major art and museum exhibitions, such as the British Museum’s Vikings

LEADING THE WAY

The digital arts are a diverse and rapidly developing field where technology enables new forms of artistic expression. As one of Art Council England’s (ACE) select National Portfolio Organisations (NPO), Phoenix has established this new arts form in Leicester, forming a strong partnership with De Montfort University (DMU).

Following the award of NPO status in 2012 we have focused on audience development, experimenting with different digital art forms to strengthen our programme, with the aim of becoming a world class centre for the digital arts.

We curated 10 exhibitions in our own Cube Gallery and other local venues in 2013/14, showing work by international artists, including Benedict Drew, Nicolas Bernier and Layla Curtis.

Our first outdoor work, PixelPyros, a virtual pyrotechnics display using state-of-the-art projectors and lasers and mounted on a massive 60-foot wide screen, was created as part of the city’s Light the Night Festival in November 2013 and drew an audience of 10,000 people.

In February 2014 we held our first major off-site exhibition – an eponymous installation by internationally renowned US-based artist duo MSHR – in collaboration with Leicester’s Two Queens gallery.

Since moving to the purpose-built Phoenix Square development in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter we have established ourselves as the city’s leading venue for world cinema, art and digital culture. Our unique and varied programme of international films, digital art and education is key to Phoenix’s distinctiveness and growing national reputation.

“Independent cinema at its best.”

– TripAdvisor review

INSPIRING CREATIVITYPhoenix is a thriving artistic and creative centre and we aim to inspire, stimulate and support creativity through all our activities and for all age groups – this is an essential element of our role in the local community and as a National Portfolio Organisation.

DEVELOPING LOCAL TALENT

Phoenix supports the local arts and media community through commissions, the provision of facilities, networking opportunities and access to expertise. The stimulating environment at Phoenix enables practitioners to develop the inspiration, skills and relationships they need to produce new work here in Leicester.

We offer local filmmakers opportunities to develop and exhibit their work, and work in partnership with Seven/Five Productions. For the past three years Phoenix has also hosted The Short Cinema, an annual festival of short film showcasing new and established talent from across the East Midlands.

Creative partnerships allow us to extend our involvement in local arts and digital culture. We launched Phoenix Interact Labs in October 2013 to encourage creativity with digital technology; this collaboration between Phoenix and Cuttlefish Multimedia, a local technology company, provides opportunities for people to experiment, develop and collaborate using the latest equipment, including Raspberry Pi, Arduino and a 3D printer.

ENGAGING THE NEXT GENERATION

Children, with their fertile and boundless imagination, are the creative talent of tomorrow. Phoenix encourages and engages with children and young people through its entire cultural programme – film, creative workshops, special events and festivals – to educate and inspire.

As a participating venue in The Spark Festival – Leicester’s yearly arts event for children and families, held over two weeks in May – Phoenix hosts a programme of digital experiences and activities for all ages.

At Spark 2013 we presented the magical Book of Worlds, which came to life with pictures, lights and sound with each turn of the page, and Graffiti!, a huge virtual canvas on which children could create their own digital artwork; both these interactive artworks were created specially for Phoenix by artist Luke Woodbury.

Short workshops are another way in which we engage with children, giving them the chance to experiment with exciting new materials, such as electrically conductive paint to create pictures with lights and sound effects, or learn basic computer programming to control robotic toys. Our Christmas family fun day is also immensely popular, with 45 people joining us for this festive event in 2013. We will continue to develop our offering for children and families throughout the year, to meet increasing demand.

“Filmmaking cannot thrive in a vacuum. Phoenix understands this and actively supports both local work and education programmes designed to bolster Leicester’s film industry.”

– Kenton Hall, filmmaker

“My son has autism and was enthralled by the digital art installations. He didn’t stop smiling and it was great to see him engaging.”

– Parent feedback, Spark

LEARNING AT PHOENIXEducation is a cornerstone of our programme; we offer unique learning opportunities in Leicester for all age groups, delivering a wide range of courses, workshops and activities through a network of partners who provide professional expertise and specialised knowledge across film, art and digital culture.

ACCESS TO ALL

In line with our mission to increase social inclusion our education programme spans all ages and is split into three key audiences – schools, colleges and universities; young people and families; and adults. For each of these groups we offer learning opportunities in film, digital arts and technology, and in 2013/14 participation grew to its highest level yet, with over 8,200 attendees.

SUPPORTING EDUCATION

Film, digital arts and media are powerful tools for education, informing and inspiring at all levels, and Phoenix works with partners to create a supportive environment where children and young people can experience, interact, learn, share and celebrate their achievements.

Our schools programme connected with 42 city schools and colleges in 2013/14; over 3,000 children enjoyed educational film events with specially prepared resources provided for teachers to support learning.

Our already strong links with De Montfort University continue to develop and we offer enhanced provision for higher education. Undergraduate lectures are held weekly by DMU at Phoenix and are often open to Phoenix members.

Students exhibit their work here in the annual Showcase, and in April 2014 we worked with DMU on their first student-led film festival – Book to Screen – at Phoenix as part of a new undergraduate film studies course. We also offer internships through DMU’s Frontrunner scheme, giving students invaluable experience and an insight into the world of work; placements are for six or nine months and our current interns are supporting our marketing and film programming teams.

LEARNING FOR LEISURE

Our popular film appreciation and interpretation courses for adults include discussion groups and classes studying classic films in depth, and regular screenings in collaboration with Leicester’s University of the Third Age (U3A). Last year over 5,000 people engaged with our adult learning programme, up from 2,700 in 2012/13, and we will continue to expand our film appreciation offering to meet growing demand.

DEVELOPING SKILLS

Many of our courses focus on skills development and explore new and creative ways to utilise digital technologies. In 2013/14 we offered workshops and short courses on subjects including film distribution; acting for film; 3D printing; Arduino and Raspberry Pi; screenwriting; and practical filmmaking basics – all run in partnership with expert tutors.

Participation in our skills-based programme continued to increase in 2013/14, and we anticipate future growth in this area as we develop our programme further through outreach activities and collaboration with other city organisations.

8,200 people accessed our education programme in 2013/14

“We brought 115 children... Phoenix [staff] were helpful, informative and efficient at all times... The support they offered was outstanding.”

– Headteacher, Northfield House Primary School

“We enjoy plenty of direct exchange with our customers – it takes only 60 seconds for me to leave my desk and be talking to someone in the café – which is one of the great joys of working at Phoenix.”

– John Rance, Phoenix Chief Executive

BENEFITING THE COMMUNITY

PHOENIX MEANS BUSINESS

We play an important role in the local economy, supporting businesses, providing employment and creating opportunities for skills development and networking. Our city centre location with accessible, well equipped facilities makes Phoenix an ideal venue for conferences and business events and in 2013/14 we played host to over 100 organisations – from small start-ups to large companies.

Our preference is to use, wherever possible, locally-owned and based suppliers for produce for our Café Bar as well as services, such as marketing, printing, cleaning, financial and technical support.

We employ 55 people, and also offer internships and volunteering roles. Many of our staff are early career artists and practitioners who are working whilst studying or developing other business interests.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The creation of the Cultural Quarter has transformed a previously run-down part of the city, and Phoenix is achieving the economic goal of bringing large numbers of visitors into the area – be it for leisure, learning or business – contributing significantly to its regeneration.

Our cultural events and conference offer attract visitors from beyond the city boundary, increasing the profile of Leicester and generating revenue for local hotels, restaurants and retail businesses; visitors to Phoenix are estimated to have contributed £432,000 to the city economy last year.

Phoenix’s community focus enables interactions between staff, creative businesses, volunteers, students and professionals to support and undertake collaborative projects; the local

filmmakers group is a great example. On a more social level, our Café Bar is a popular and welcoming venue for local community interest groups, including Star Base sci-fi club, a knitting group, and Phoenix Writers, who all meet regularly at Phoenix.

WIDENING ENGAGEMENT

We are committed to making film and art open and accessible to everyone and launched our Access Cinema programme in May 2013, with initial support from Creative England, the British Film Institute and Leicester City Council. We show the latest releases and classic films in a range of specialised environments to suit people who may usually find it difficult to enjoy cinema.

The programme includes regular audio-described and subtitled screenings, and supportive environment screenings with partially raised lighting and reduced sound levels for people on the autistic and Asperger’s spectrum. We work with organisations such as Vista, Action Deafness, and Voluntary Action Leicestershire to ensure our programme meets local needs and is accessible to all.

Phoenix is open to all and provides a vibrant hub for interaction between communities, businesses and individuals, contributing directly to Leicester’s cultural, social and economic prosperity.

407407 conference and events hosted

432000£432,000 ancillary spend in the city by Phoenix visitors

78617,861 attendees at business-related events

77 community groups meet here regularly

1400Access Cinema launched in 2013 –1,400 users last year

MAKING THE CONNECTIONPhoenix brings people together through a shared interest in film and digital media, or a desire to learn new skills; reaching out to people beyond the boundaries of our building is important to us, not only as a way to develop our audience, but to inspire creativity and widen access to all that Phoenix has to offer.

OUTSIDE THE CITY

Phoenix runs one of the UK’s most successful rural cinema services, Centre Screen, providing regular film events across Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire. We provide assistance with sourcing films, equipment for screenings and promoting events, supporting a network of 60 local volunteers who organise film screenings in community and alternative venues, attended by almost 13,000 last year. Funded by local authorities, regional film and media agencies, and ticket sales, our rural cinema service enhances these communities, bringing people together to share and enjoy film in areas otherwiseunderserved by cultural services.

SHARE OUR VISION

People engage with Phoenix on many levels and as almost 70% of our funding comes from ticket sales, our café bar, hires, corporate sponsorship and individual donations, support from the community we serve is vital. Our membership scheme enables people to become a part of Phoenix, supporting us through their subscriptions and receiving benefits including discounted tickets and money off in our Café Bar in return.

PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER

We connect with a wider audience through our involvement in cultural events taking place across the city, region or, in some cases, nationally.

We are a key venue for The Spark Festival, Leicester’s annual arts event for children and families. We offer exhibitions, films, workshops exploring digital media, and drop-in themed activities, introducing many new visitors to Phoenix in the process. In 2013 almost 1,500 people enjoyed our Spark

Festival programme, most of which was free of charge.

In June each year we host events as part of An Indian Summer, an annual celebration of India, its people and culture that takes place across the city’s Cultural Quarter. Our programme features performances, film and art, delivered in collaboration with Inspirate.

Phoenix’s Black History season also celebrates Leicester’s multi-cultural diversity, screening films in partnership with DMU that explore some of the issues facing the African, Caribbean and Asian communities, and the contributions they have made to society and life in Leicester.

The annual UK Green Film Festival explores environmental issues through film, and began at Phoenix in partnership with Friends of the Earth, Igloo, Blueprint Regeneration, and Washington Environmental Film Festival. Last year the festival involved 17 cinemas across the country.

Science fiction and gaming enthusiasts flock to our annual Sci-Fi Fest, organised by Star Base Leicester. In 2013 we were a host venue for Leicester’s DocFilm Festival, run across the city by Citizen’s Eye, and for the past three years we have hosted the Short Cinema Festival, showcasing work by filmmakers from across the East Midlands.

Our rural cinema service screens over 300 films a year across 60 venues

Phot

o: P

amel

a R

aith

Pho

tog

rap

hy

THE PHOENIX TEAMFrom our front of house staff to our Chief Executive, Phoenix is run by a dedicated team who are passionate about their work and take immense pride in the excellent service they offer to our visitors. Our management and creative teams work behind the scenes to develop our programme and steer Phoenix towards its goal of becoming a world class centre for the digital arts, while our Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration of Phoenix as a charity, safeguarding our assets and ensuring that Phoenix is run in accordance with its constitution and the law.

RICHARD DAVISChief Finance Officer

DAN FARMERHead Chef

JAKE HARVEYCinema Programme Manager

ROS HILLOperations and Customer Services Manager

ALEXZANDRA JACKSONEducation Manager

JOHN RANCEChief Executive Officer

RICHARD SMITHCatering Manager

CHRIS TYRERDigital Arts Manager

PATRICK WELSHMarketing Manager

ALAN TUCKETTChair of Trustees

ALISON SINCLAIRVice Chair

Trustees

BIPIN ANAND

PAWLET BROOKES

NEVILLE HAMMONDS

FRANK JORDON

KEVIN LACEY

MARY MACKINTOSH

WARREN MANNING

BARBARA MATTHEWS

KAYCEE PATEL

CAROLINE PICK

BILL SHELTON

165000165,000 people engage with our cultural programme each year

1One off-site exhibition— MSHR at Two Queens

PHOENIX BY NUMBERS

363Open 363 days

20More than 20 films screened each month

1010 exhibitions in 2013/14

014Open 14 hours a day

82008,200 participants in our education programme in 2013/14

4808648,086 cups of tea and coffee served in 2013/14

9595% of customers would recommend us

1000010,000 people see PixelPyros

SUZANNE OVERTON-EDWARDS

FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2013/14Phoenix is a charity. Investment and support from our stakeholders – in particular our founding partners, Leicester City Council and De Montfort University – has enabled us to become an established part of Leicester’s cultural life. Arts Council England and the British Film Institute are regular funders of our cultural programme; their support helps us commission and create new work, and reach out to more people. Many other organisations and individuals also support us, by sponsoring our programme, collaborating on events, or working with us to engage an ever wider audience.

Throughout 2013/14 we made good progress in all five areas of our financial plan:

STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT

The scope of our relationship with De Montfort University broadened with Film Studies teaching at Phoenix, and Leicester City Council renewed its 3-year cultural services agreement; we contributed significantly to Leicester’s City of Culture bid.

GROWTH AND INCOME DIVERSIFICATION

There was continued growth of profitable income lines; cinema income increased by 26%, and Café Bar income grew by 31% compared to last year. Fundraising is going well with the support of Arts Council England’s Catalyst programme.

BEING LEAN AND AGILE

We are a lean organisation, through continually evaluating our costs and by innovating service delivery.

STRONG GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Our strong team has skills needed to be both enterprising and engaged with our stakeholders whilst applying prudent financial management.

IMPROVING FINANCIAL RESERVES

The transition to Phoenix Square in 2009 was ambitious and not without risk. In the last few years Phoenix has produced exceptional growth in operating surpluses and our financial reserves are growing.

Box office

Community cinema income

Leicester City Council grant

Arts Council England grant

BFI grants

Other grants

Café Bar income

Other operating income

Membership & donations

Phoenix Square, 4 Midland Street, Leicester LE1 1TGBox office 0116 242 2800 Enquiries 0116 242 2821www.phoenix.org.uk

Leicester Arts Centre Ltd | Company Registration No. 2276987 | Charity Registration No. 701078 | Vat No. 485739687 | Registered Office - 4 Midland Street, Leicester, LE1 1TG