Introduction Artlink Central - Background Artlink Central's Work with the Participant Groups Statistical and Financial Information Voices Art off the Rock Contacts and Personnel Funders
|
Arts Equals Opportunities
The past year has seen significant development and achievements for Artlink Central which are described in this report. Highlights from the year include the relocation of our offices to the Cowane Centre in Stirling in July 2003, and the achievement of Core Funded Organisation status from the Scottish Arts Council in November 2003.Strategy and Business Plan
A strategic review of Artlink Central was carried out in the spring of 2002 at the recommendation of the Scottish Arts Council. The review highlighted specific objectives that have subsequently been achieved to help ensure the sustainable future of the organisation. These included the completion of our Business Plan for 2004 - 2007, the appointment of a full-time development officer (October 2002) and a project coordinator for the Falkirk region (August 2002). Another objective of the review was the upgrading of our in-house IT skills and equipment. Scottish Arts Council Lottery Funding enabled the development of an IT suite for our new premises and Laptops to facilitate multimedia projects. Our new web site was launched in June 2004.Project Statistics
Few of us remain untouched by an elderly friend or relative in care or with dementia, a stroke victim or someone of any age dealing with enduring mental health or learning disability, a prisoner or a child who requires special support. Artlink Central projects can help in many ways in all these areas. During 2003-2004, 222 projects were carried out throughout Forth Valley involving over 2400 individuals. Artlink Central is committed to rewarding participants and investors with high quality arts provision and outcomes. The bank of skilled professional artists continues to grow and we engaged 66 artists during the year. The high quality of the work they achieve with individuals is something for which we pride ourselves. In July 2004 Artlink Central was invited to deliver Access and Awareness training for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe box office and front of house staff in partnership with Community Integrated Care. We continue to build exciting and fruitful partnerships throughout the region with community care organisations and greatly value their support for our projects.Promotion
Our work and that of our participants has been featured in various publications such as The Big Issue, Mental Health Today and Children in Scotland. In November 2004 the BBC Children In Need Appeal featured 'Make an Exhibition of Yourself', a schools art project based on the idea of self-portraiture. Exhibitions in community venues included the 2003 Forth Valley Primary Care Trust annual exhibition held in the Howgate Shopping Centre. In April 2004 the Art Space group exhibited in the Lesser Town Hall, Falkirk.Staff and Board Members
This last year has been one of new opportunities and challenges for the staff. They received further IT training which led to the achievement of their European Computer Driving Licence accreditation. Tremendous progress has been made in developing our programme of projects in Falkirk and the surrounding area by Julie Law who was appointed to the post of Falkirk Project coordinator. 2003 saw the appointment of Dr. John Rankin, a local general practitioner, as Artlink Central's new chairman. He replaced Chris Turner who had held the position most successfully for five years. A new member of the team, Kristina Telfer, joined us as part-time project support worker in September 2004 and Rachel Tilling took up the post of part time Fundraising Officer in November 2004.Looking Ahead
For the immediate future our five main objectives are:
Sarah Chester Director Artlink Central Top of page 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 is currently an administration team of six part-time 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:
Art events have been successful in raising important core funds. In 2004 we were awarded Core Funding Status by the Scottish Arts Council in recognition of the quality and value of our work in attaining their national objectives. We currently have a database of approximately two hundred professional artists who are periodically engaged on projects and provide arts projects across a broad spectrum of activities including visual art and craft, drama, music, music technology, literature, photography and digital media. Regular training sessions on health & safety and health-related issues are provided to artists and staff, who are all aware of and familiar with our current policies on both Social Inclusion and Child Protection. Top of page 36 PROJECTS 258 CLIENTS 252 SESSIONS "The life story and reminiscence projects are very popular with both the elderly clients and their families. To have clients' lives recorded in books for all the family to treasure is an important tribute to someone who is a much loved member of the family" Sarah Pearson - Stirling Project Coordinator Partnerships with:
Bonnybridge Day HospitalBonnybridge Wards 1,2,&3 Bannockburn Hospital Wards 1,5 and 6 Clackmannan County Hospital Kildean Hospital Elderly Ward Stirling Orchard House Day Hospital Bo'ness Wards 1 & 2 Falkirk Royal Infirmary Ward 12 Sauchie Hospital Ward 4 Involving:
Visual arts and craftMusic Audio and visual reminiscence projects Garden Sculpture Artlink Central's work with elderly wards and day hospitals continues to develop. We are expanding our 'one-to-one' life-story work to include music as well as written reminiscence. Our relationship with nursing staff goes from strength to strength. They are keen to become actively involved in the projects and learn key skills they can repeat with patients at a later date. Many of the staff have also participated in Artlink Central staff training sessions that are led regularly by our skilled artists and other practitioners. Top of page Artlink Central with the Acute Trust107 CLIENTS 64 SESSIONS "Developing a patient's fine motor skills through various art forms - such as ceramic work - can provide additional therapeutic care to complement the physiotherapy that they may be receiving. Importantly, it adds a new dimension to a patient's life in hospital" Julie Law - Falkirk Project Coordinator Partnerships with:
Falkirk & District Royal InfirmaryWard 1 Windsor Day Hospital Renal Ward Stroke Ward Stirling Royal Infirmary Patient Therapy Ward Day Hospital Involving:
Felt-makingLife-story writing Silk painting Collage Ceramics Music Artlink Central's work with the Acute Trust wards is growing from strength to strength. The past year has seen individuals on the dialysis journey recount their experiences and life-stories with professional writers. These were recorded onto CD by professional actors. We now aim to reach new wards and more patients who can derive benefit from these high quality projects. Top of page Artlink Central with Local Prisons228 CLIENTS 218 SESSIONS "It gave me experience in acting, choreography and teamwork. The social skills I learnt helped me to prepare for other programmes that I have signed up for. I have achieved something for once in my life and I owe it all to Artlink Central" Participant in Christmas Panto 2003 - SPS HMYOI Cornton Vale Partnerships with:
SPS and HMYOI Cornton ValeHMYOI Polmont Involving:
Two drama productions each yearanimation music music technology creative writing visual arts film This year has seen Artlink Central working in partnership with local prisons to enhance the core life skills of those disengaged with formal learning in order to raise their confidence and self esteem, and to enable them to access other areas of rehabilitation. Top of page Artlink Central with Children1076 CLIENTS 496 SESSIONS "I like working with a real artist and doing things I couldn't normally do" Pupil - Primary 6, Sacred Heart Primary School "Artlink projects are always so creative the projects add another dimension to their education" Assistant Head - The Loft, Denny High School Partnerships with:
Stirling Children's ServicesFalkirk Children's Services Clackmannanshire Children's Services National Childrens Homes Highlights:
Make an Exhibition of Yourself - visual arts at The MacRobert Arts CentreMidsummer Magic - performance and music One to One - using art, art with music, music technology and drama Artlink Central believes that when you are not comfortable with the written word, other creative art forms can offer an outlet for self-expression. Our partnerships focus on the development of social and educational inclusion through the sensory curriculum. We provide a wide variety of specialist arts, music and drama activities for children, including ceramics, jewellery-making, puppetry, and a specialist music programme, Kodaly, all run by professionally trained tutors. Top of page Artlink Central with Learning Disabilities225 CLIENTS 138 SESSIONS "Working with the Artlink Central Music Group has been one of the most fulfilling and enriching projects of my freelance career. For the last two years I have been privileged to act as a mentor for the group, providing support for both its members and tutors. As a professional composer and performer, I find working with the group refreshing, invigorating and grounding. The music that we create and perform together is simple, honest and heartfelt. It is tailored exactly to the needs of each member of the group; challenging but achievable." Paul Rissmann - Musician Partnerships with:
Key HousingEnable Communities Scotland (Home Point) 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 has grown beyond all measure in the past year, with participants taking a full role in the composition and execution of the music. We have had three highly enjoyable concerts in which they have been able to showcase their newly developed skills. Top of page Artlink Central with Mental Health35 PROJECTS 317 CLIENTS 254 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, StirlingExhibition at the Howgate Shopping Centre, Falkirk Major music project at Russell Park Bungalows 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: £192,471 Expenditure in Year: £182,005 Top of page Participant - Nigel, Wolfcraig
"Having suffered a nervous breakdown five years ago it has been a long road to recovery. Hope is now there to make a complete recovery - without medication - in the fullness of time, but trying to find inner peace has been difficult, when also coping with the many hurdles that a mental health problem throws at you. I have been involved with two projects that have gone a long way in giving me that inner peace - CICART and Artspace. CICART - a joint project between a care organisation and Artlink Central - has enabled me to face my fears and express myself on how I was feeling, with the use of multi-media, which included film, art and music. Artspace, on the other hand, is about taking part. Playing the guitar and singing along with others has built my confidence and enabled me to socially interact again, without fear of social stigma. Enjoying yourself after so many years of pain is a fantastic way to relax and interact. It is this idea which Artlink promotes - and it works".Visual Artist - Jackie Moon
"Since graduating from Glasgow School of Art in 1998 I have been working as a committed artist and have won several prizes, had two residencies abroad and been awarded funding for Artists' Book projects. In 1999 I began working with Artlink Central on a wide variety of projects including young offenders, elderly with dementia, stroke patients, learning difficulty, mental health and schools groups. Through Artlink Central I have been working at NCH in Camelon, where all the children have profound needs. Workshops were arranged with 16 children to make collographs using touch sensitive coloured materials to make different noises and sensations to stimulate the children. In June we visited the exhibition. All the children were excited by the journey and recognised their piece instantly. This year we had a training day at Tate Britain to help us make work related to the exhibition, 'Art of the Garden'. The children made eight pieces, which will be displayed on a touch sensitive computer screen along with works from other NCH organisations nationwide"Staff Profile - Julie Law
Julie Law began her arts career at the age of 16, volunteering in classes for individuals with learning disabilities and mental ill health. As a Graduate with a Masters Degree in Photography from Glasgow School of Art, and following her success as far a field as Berlin and Brussels, Julie joined Artlink as an artist and was involved in the creation of arts drop-in sessions - the forerunners to the now hugely successful Artspace. In 2002, Julie took up the position of Artlink Central Project Coordinator for Falkirk. Not only has she forged good relations with Falkirk Council, but also she has improved services for individuals with mental ill health by establishing user network programmes. More recently, Julie has become integral in the launch of intergenerational working: the bringing together of various sectors, such as the elderly, local schools and the heritage department to work collectively. "I love seeing the expansion which has taken place in Falkirk and seeing the importance of what I do and the benefits for all involved"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 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 In 2003-2004 Artlink Central Ltd received core funding from:
The Scottish Arts Council Lottery FundedThe Scottish Arts Council NHS Forth Valley Stirling Council Falkirk Council The work was also funded by:
BBC Children in NeedChildren’s Services (Stirling Council) Children’s Services (Falkirk Council) Coalfields Regeneration Trust 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 Robertson Trust Scottish Arts Council Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund Scottish Prison Service Tudor Trust We gratefully acknowledge support received from all other groups and individuals Top of page |
|
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
 |