Director's Report Looking Back Developments Looking Ahead Artlink Central with Participant Groups Statistical and Financial Information Voices Art off the Rock
Funders and Donors
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Arts Equals Opportunities
Artlink Central Ltd was established in February 1988. It is the main independent arts organisation servicing the Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire areas, offering arts projects to vulnerable and excluded groups in the community. It is a limited company with charitable status and is supported by a voluntary management board. There are currently seven part-time members of staff, and The Director, Sarah Chester, has been in post since 1992.
Artlink Central supports vulnerable and marginalised people to access arts activities in the hope that they will gain a life enriching experience that will enable them to more fully engage in their communities. Artlink Central aims to:
Overview of the Year
2004/5 has been a year of consolidation with artistic highlights and considerable achievement by the committed Artlink Central staff and all the artists involved with us over the year. Lynn Wilson, our full-time development officer, left at the end of August. During her time with Artlink she drove us forward with the implementation of new technology and IT training, which helped raise our profile. In addition, she gave us a sound business plan and a solid foundation for our Artspace projects in a community setting. Her departure allowed us to review the staffing structure, using the strengths and professional expertise of existing staff members. The appointment of a part-time schools’ officer and part-time fundraiser has allowed the Director to take a more strategic role. We were lucky to have two volunteers over the year, who assisted with office administration and have progressed to full-time employment.Top of page Looking BackProject Statistics During 2004/05 we carried out 236 projects throughout Forth Valley involving over 2569 individuals. The evaluations of these projects are carefully monitored and, for the first time this year, we were commissioned by the Scottish Executive to create a DVD to evaluate our work in mental health. The DVD 'Arts in Mind' includes comments from medical practitioners and workers including Dr Webster, Consultant Psychiatrist. The DVD has been disseminated to all Health Board directors in Scotland. Finance We are grateful to all those who finance our core activity including the SAC, The Robertson Trust, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Stirling and Falkirk Councils, the Forth Valley Health Board and the Scottish Executive. In addition we are indebted to all the Trusts, individuals and organisations that fund our projects. We pride ourselves on the high standard of project offered to our clients. Few people in the community will remain untouched by an elderly friend or relative in care or with dementia, a stroke victim or some one of any age dealing with enduring mental ill health or learning disability, a prisoner or child who requires special support. Artlink Central strives to make a difference to all those people’s lives. Highlights of the Year
DevelopmentsTraining and Development Sarah Pearson has continued to develop our training programme and 2004 offered topics on parallel practice - looking at the work of the art therapist and the artist; working with children with behavioural problems; mental health in the community; and working in a prison environment. We encourage both medical practitioners and artists to attend these sessions and dialogue between disciplines is always stimulating and beneficial. In July 2004 Artlink Central, in partnership with Community Integrated Care, delivered the Access and Awareness training for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe box office and front-of-house staff. In addition to these events, we have delivered four training sessions for teachers. Julie Law has continued to increase our profile in the Falkirk area, particularly concentrating on developing rural aspects and Artspace Falkirk. Our Website In the past year our website www.artlinkcentral.org has seen significant developments in terms of its interactivity and available information:
Top of page Looking AheadArtlink Central look forward to the challenges of the year ahead and building on the progress made in achieving sustainable core funding. We are keen to continue to develop our partnerships with current supporters and ensure that our projects and objectives reflect their criteria and aspirations. We hope to attract new sponsors, both Trusts and Corporate, interested in participating in our work in recognition of the necessary contribution we make to the community. We hope to develop partnerships with local and national companies which will provide them with creative solutions to investing in their communities and enhancing their brand. The economy and business environment of Forth Valley has diversified and shown significant growth in recent years. We believe that through sponsorship of our work, new and established companies will have the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to key brand-related qualities, such as social inclusion, equal opportunities, creativity, education,and health and welfare. Our key openings for sponsorship are projects involving artists of national repute; our prestigious, bi-annual Art off the Rockfestival; promotional material including our Annual Review and newsletters; and the concerts, exhibitions and performances associated with our work. Artlink Central is grateful for your continued support whether as a donor, participant, or audience. We pledge to continue to deliver the standard of excellence on which our reputation and partnerships has been built. Our six main objectives for this year are:
Sarah Chester Director Artlink Central Top of page Artlink Central with Participant Groups Artlink Central with the Elderly28 PROJECTS 211 CLIENTS 201 SESSIONS "It seemed that the ladies' memories came alive during the sessions" Member of Staff at Bonnybridge Hospital Ward 1 Partnerships with:
Bannockburn Hospital Wards 1,5 and 6Bo'ness Wards 1 & 2 Bonnybridge Day Hospital Clackmannan County Hospital Falkirk Royal Infirmary Wards 12 & 20 Kildean Hospital Ward 3 Orchard House Day Hospital Sauchie Hospital Ward 4 Stirling Royal Infirmary Day Hospital Joint Dementia Initiative Alzheimer Scotland Involving:
Visual arts and craftMusic and Composition Audio and visual reminiscence projects Environmental Art and Photography Puppetry and Drama More and more of our artists are commenting on improvements in mood and ocncentration as a result of our art sessions with frail elderly groups. These impressions are also endorsed by the nursing staff. "Chrissie and Carol have been a real asset to us here at Bonnybridge and we will miss them. The group has really enjoyed the paper-making and it has brought back a lot of past life experiences. Bethia, one of the residents, said she enjoyed listening to the others with all their stories of their lives. Margaret, another resident who has spells of forgetting things, has really enjoyed it as it made her remember things of importance in her life." Ann Clark, Activities Coordinator Bonnybridge Hospital. Top of page Artlink Central with the Acute Trust14 PROJECTS 134 CLIENTS 101 SESSIONS Our input in the acute areas of the hospitals works in tandem with the occupational therapists, concentrating on dexterity, mobility and elevation of mood and sense of well-being. We are expanding into new areas of the Hospitals such as Ward 11 MDRU and the Renal Unit. A large exhibition of artwork created by participants across the health spectrum is planned for the beginning of November 2005 at the Conference and Education Centre, SRI. Consultations are currently in progress regarding our continued and developed input into the new hospital opening in Larbert. "The planned exhibition on 4th November will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the phenomenal work created by the patients." Julie Law - Falkirk Project Coordinator Partnerships with:
Falkirk & District Royal InfirmaryWard 1 Windsor Day Hospital Renal Ward Stroke Ward Ward 11 MDRU Stirling Royal Infirmary Patient Therapy Ward Day Hospital Ward 25 Involving:
Felt-makingLife-story writing Silk painting Collage Ceramics Music Top of page Artlink Central with Local Prisons14 PROJECTS 152 CLIENTS 137 SESSIONS Q: "What do you think you have gained from the project?" A: "Enlightenment; education; focus; change; knowledge; bonded interaction" Artlink Central is working towards a continuing partnership with HMI and YOI Cornton Vale, using the arts to develop core and life skills for those who have disengaged with formal learning. Participating in arts projects helps to raise the prisoners' confidence and self-esteem, and enables them to access other areas of rehabilitation. "It was an excellent and good effort from everyone. We got to see a different side to the women who have never done anything like this before. It lowers the barriers between us and them" Partnerships with:
SPS and HMYOI Cornton ValeHMYOI Polmont Funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Royal Scottish National Orchestra Involving: Cornton Vale: Drama for Lifeline course and Pantomime Creative writing Music Prop-making Art in Remand Art for Vulnerable Women Polmont: May drama production Artwork and video for 'Culture of Two Halves' Art installation for Hub garden area Band music DJ-ing Highlights of the year:
Artlink Central with Children96 PROJECTS 1183 CLIENTS 583 SESSIONS Partnerships with:
Stirling Children's ServicesFalkirk Children's Services Clackmannanshire Children's Services National Childrens Homes Barnardo's Highlights and Developments:
A tailor-made art workshop enables the young person to achieve through accessible artistic processes not normally used in school work. Through arts participation they recieve one-to-one attention from the artists, learn new skills as means of communication, and gain a sense of accomplishment which they so desperately need. The workshops are regularly monitored and evaluated by Artlink personnel, school staff and the young." (Kristina Telfer, Project Support Worker). Top of page Artlink Central with Learning Disabilities18 PROJECTS 177 CLIENTS 154 SESSIONS "All of Artlink Central's work with learning disability groups emphasises the importance of participant-led sessions. Experienced artists and musicians use their skills to nurture and make concrete the ideas and creations of the groups. The overview of the projects is very flexible so that the feelings of all who are involved are taken into account." Sarah Pearson - Stirling Project Coordinator Partnerships with:
Key HousingEnable Communities Scotland (Home Point) Falkirk Day Centres Streets Ahead RSNH Lochview, Larbert Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust Involving:
Established student training programmes with Royal Scottish Academy of Music and DramaMusic students participating in long-term weekly sessions Thursday morning music group Monday night Drama group Artlink Central uses the arts in all its forms to develop and encourage the personal creativity of individuals with learning disabilities and to give them a voice for self expression and enhance their self-confidence. Our music group's highlight has been an intensive music residency that culminated in an original and vibrant composition - 'The Pied Pier of Stirling', working with Paul Rissmann, two Guildhall trained musicians, and implementing the community-based residency on a professional model. The outcome confirms our belief that through a consistent focus on the arts, individuals can exceed their own expectations of their abilities and achievements. Top of page Artlink Central with Mental HealthIncluding ARTSPACE in Falkirk and Stirling 46 PROJECTS 455 CLIENTS 319 SESSIONS Partnerships with:
Clackmannan County HospitalPrinces St Day Hospital Kildean Day Hospital Westbank Day Unit Bellsdyke, Russell Park, Trystview and Trystpark wards Bellsdyke ITU Craigenhall Rehabilitation Unit SRI Ward 30 FDRI Ward 18 CIC Wolfcraig Stirling SDAMH Highlights:
Annual Exhibition at The Smith Art Gallery, StirlingTrips to the Park Gallery and Callendar House Alongside our major input in Forth Valley Mental Health Facilities, this year has also seen the music and visual arts ArtSpace Drop-in sessions building on past success and being accessed by more and more individuals, some of whom are now happily integrated into the community. Top of page Income in Year: £225,046 Expenditure in Year: £242,632 Top of page Participant - Gregor Gillespie
"After my accident in 1978 I was left an
epileptic. I had to learn how to play the
guitar all over again. I had to learn to
speak again.
I
started projects with Artlink Central five
years ago. I’m a very creative person and
I find the Artlink group helps me nurture
the creative aspect of my person - I feel
alive with a guitar in my hand, and with
the musicians I feel great. I have to take
things one step at a time and that’s in
keeping with the Artlink group. I don’t
have to remember things - I can look at
the notes - and so it’s not a strain. When
I go home, I start with the ideas and I
come back the next week with stuff I’ve
worked on. They tell me it’s fantastic and
when I get appreciation like that I know
it’s genuine and I’m very satisfied. I do
think ‘I’ve got to be better’, but that’s me.
Artlink has helped me realise what I can
achieve. I’d like to have even more
opportunity to use what abilities I’ve got
and I’m pleased that Artlink has given me
that."Drama Worker - Karen McGrady
Inspired by a life-long passion for drama and
theatre, Karen has been working as a
committed artist and Drama Development
Officer, and is currently the associate director
of the Scottish Youth Theatre.
Since joining Artlink Central over three years
ago, Karen has become integral to drama
projects in schools where she is involved in
working with children with learning difficulties
and those requiring additional support for
learning. "What’s important is the improvisation
which comes from the children, as it helps
create a feeling of ownership" Karen says.
Karen is also central to the learning disabilities
drama group drop-in, backed by a
Communities Scotland Homepoint grant.
Describing the Homepoint Drama Project,
Karen explains: "We take problems in daily life
where communication is important and we
role-play the answers. It’s all about laughter,
mad warm-ups and learning about
communication. Ultimately, the sessions hope
to instil confidence in the individuals to say
what they want. That’s the important thing."Staff Profile - Kristina Telfer
An honours graduate in Textile Design,
Kristina Telfer has worked as a costume
designer and dancer with various
performance groups as well as a set and
costume designer in theatres across the
UK, and in television.
As Project Support Worker for Artlink
Central Kristina coordinates the delivery
of tailor-made art workshops to inclusive
schools, and to young people who require
extra support for their social and
emotional behavioural difficulties, or who
are experiencing difficulties in
mainstream education.
Of the latter group, Kristina says: "One of
the biggest rewards is when we can see
that our work has assisted in realigning a
child’s path in terms of returning to
school, maintaining an interest in school
activities, gaining peer support and
respect, and developing better
communication skills with their carers and
support networks."
Top of page In order to help continue to provide and to expand our services, Artlink Central holds a biannual major fundraising event - Art off the Rock. The main focus of the evening is an arts auction which includes work in oil, watercolours, fine art prints, ceramics, silver-smithing and sculpture from artists who range from those with international reputations to recent graduates. Also on sale are anonymous postcard sized original works of art. The first 'Art On the Rock' was held in Stirling Castle back in 1998 and over the years we have been supported by a number of well-known local and national artists who have kindly donated items for the auction. Such artists include Peter Howson, Lucy Poett, Peter Luti, Graham Stewart, Will McLean, Marian Leven, June Carey, and father and daughter artists Willie Rodger and Susan Breakenridge. Art on the Rock 2002 raised over £16,000 thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, the donating artists and our guests. The funds enabled us to move our office to larger premises, buy invaluable equipment and support the Artspace mental health drop-in projects in both Stirling and Falkirk.The most recent Art off the Rock took place in the Albert Halls on the 21st October 2004 and, as in previous years, was a major success again, having raised in excess of £16,000. To participate in Art off the Rock 2006 or for more information contact us or email us at info@artlinkcentral.org Top of page In 2004-2005 Artlink Central Ltd received core funding from:
The Scottish Arts Council Lottery FundedThe Scottish Arts Council NHS Forth Valley Stirling Council Falkirk Council The Hugh Fraser Foundation The Robertson Trust Scottish Executive - Scottish Rural Partnership Fund The work was also funded by:
Barnardo's
BBC Children in NeedChildren’s Services (Stirling Council) Children’s Services (Falkirk Council) Clackmannanshire Council Community Integrated Care Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust Homepoint (Communities Scotland) Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland Mental Illness Specific Grant Funding (Stirling) National Children’s Homes NHS FV Primary and Acute Operating Divisions PRS Foundation Scottish Prison Service We gratefully acknowledge support received from all other groups and individuals Artlink Central Ltd Artlink Central is a limited company and has charitable status with the Inland Revenue Charity No: SCO 08158 Cowane Centre, Cowane Street, Stirling FK8 1JP Tel: 01786 450971 Fax: 01786 465958 E-mail:info@artlinkcentral.org Web: www.artlinkcentral.org Patron:Evelyn Glennie OBE Management Committee: Chairman: Dr John Rankin Vice Chairman: Carol Seymour Treasurer: Steven Strang Secretary: Roy Middleton Helen Ogilvy Jack Sanderson Grant Williams Director: Sarah Chester Project Coordinator (Stirling): Sarah Pearson Project Coordinator (Falkirk): Julie Law Project Support Worker: Kristina Telfer Fundraising Officer: Rachel Tilling Administrator: Mary Lawson IT Administrator/Marketing: Lesley Tobin Top of page |
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Artlink Central is a limited company (No.109852) and has charitable status
with the Inland Revenue SCO 08158
Artlink Central's website is sponsored by Information Technologies First
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