Bathurst Arts Council - Annual General Meeting

21 May 2009 Conference Room BMEC

President’s Report

The past 12 months have been directed by the strategic plan that was drawn up by the BAC committee in February 08. This meeting determined a long-term goal to work towards the establishment of a multi-purpose community arts facility for the region that satisfies the current & future needs of local artists & arts organisations.

The plan focussed on six main areas, incorporating some initial steps towards Regional Arts Centre;

Annual fundraising project – Brucedale Concert & Picnic

This event was held Sunday 1 March 2009; a beautiful spring afternoon. The organisation and logistics started much later that in previous years but the past experience of the members plus the job sheet drawn up by Maryanne in 2008 streamlined the operation. Every member contributed to make this a successful function. The RSL bands provided great entertainment and the afternoon mellowed to the delightful jazz of Dale Tuckey and Rob Shannon. One innovation was the invitation of portrait artist Susan Hundy; whilst there was much curiosity, not many people sat for a portrait. For the second year Annie’s Icecream came with a mobile freezer; most flavours were sold out! The raffle and the gate takings generated less funds than in 2008 however once the associated accounts & appreciation gifts have been covered there should be enough to cover most non-administrative costs (SP desired outcome).

Bathurst Arts Council Contact and Networking Database

During the year a sub committee was formed to update the mailing list; there have been revisions and grouping of the contact list into current & past members as well as an artists & arts organisation list. The list of members was divided into current, recently lapsed & long lost; as newsletter and membership renewal notices the latter categories were targeted with a hand written note encouraging them to rejoin.

The artists/arts organisation mailing list was updated and used to reach as wide a range as possible to survey the needs of the Bathurst Arts community including gauging support for a community arts centre. A subcommittee was formed to develop a draft survey of venues & facilities (including storage) used by the regions arts community. Once the survey was finalised it was distributed by hand, mail and email. Following the deadline for return of surveys, Maryanne collated and evaluated the information and presented a comprehensive report in August 2008. Her recommendations included a further contact with groups to contribute to the survey (24 out of 180 individuals and organisations responded) and on going liaising with respondents who indicated a need for space.

Increase awareness and promotion of Bathurst Arts Council

Promotion of the BAC has mainly increase  through Maryanne’s weekly column in the Western Advocate and the regular updating of the BAC website by Sarah Conolan; I would like to thank them both for the outstanding job they have both done. The production of newsletters did not settled into a regular pattern this year; an area that needs addressing. This together with the development of clear and attractive reasons for membership of BAC is key to stability & growth, and of course financial viability of the organisation.

The Bathurst Regional Council elections in August 08 provided an opportunity for the BAC to engage candidates with key questions about the arts;

1. Which cultural and artistic activities should be financially supported by Bathurst Regional Council?
2. How/Would you support affordable access by the community to Council owned/administered space for cultural and artistic activities?
3. Where does BRC sit with the State (Cultural) Plan and would you make the implementation of the BRC Cultural plan a priority?

20 of the 24 candidates were contacted by email and 5 responses were received. These were posted on the Arts Council website for any interested member of the public to view & to make an informed judgement.

Following the election, the BAC committee was delighted to welcome Monica Morse as Council’s representative; she has attended subsequent meetings and has contributed some useful observations provided some welcome advice.

The operation of sub-committees

Currently the BAC has two regular subcommittees; 2BS Youth Arts Award & Friends of BMEC, additional sub committees are formed as needed; Brucedale concert, Survey & Bathurst Arts Networking. As a result of an initiative of Mary Cuppaidge a new sub-committee has been formed; Arts Expo. The sub-committees operate mostly independently, with the support of the overall committee & regularly report to the overall committee.

 Succession planning became a clear priority when Bryan Randall resigned as Youth Arts Award coordinator because of ill health. After a short hiatus, Jennifer Menchin stepped up to the job and has handled it very well; she organised the Youth Arts Award Annual concert in BMEC which was well attended and most monthly recipients were able to perform. 2BS as a major sponsor was represented by Manager, Phil Cole, who gave a short & well considered speech. After the concert BAC representatives who had attended voted Mark Graham, Cirkus Surreal acrobat, as the overall winner for 2008.

Arts Expo

Since the launch of the idea of an Arts Expo at the last AGM by Mary Cuppaidge the project has gathered momentum; discussions have progressed with Debbie Campbell who addressed the February gathering of the BAC regarding the inclusion of the Arts Expo in the Lifestyle Show that she coordinates each November, a date has been set (20/21 Nov 2010) and an agreement is being drawn up. Mary and Fiona together and individually discussed the project and possible funding by BRC with a number of Councillors (all of who were enthusiastically supportive and generous with their advice) culminating in a presentation to Council to give them information about the project and a ‘show’ bag (organised by Mary) containing brochures, business cards and a gift from Greg Hyde! A timeline is starting to emerge and whilst the subcommittee will remain small there will be many opportunities for others to help!

Finances

Maintaining the financial stability of BAC, within the limited time resources of executive/ membership remains an important goal. During the year the committee followed through on the decision to invest in only those sponsorships that were a good promotional investment or with which BAC has an existing partnership; Bathurst Eisteddfod, Catapult festival (if needed) & 2BS Bathurst Youth Art Awards (ongoing). Treasurer, Bruce Cameron, was active in Identify ways of reducing costs and by and large achieved an income to match expenditure where possible; Membership income to cover admin costs & Brucedale income to cover sponsorship investments (above), survey costs & costs of mail outs and newsletter.

I would like to acknowledge Stephen Champion, BMEC Manager, for allowing the committee to hold it’s meetings in the foyer after hours and also Mitchell Conservatorium for providing a meeting room when BMEC was not available. Thank you very much to the out going committee; you have been a great team to work with & I really appreciate the support, dedication and extraordinary range of skills you bring to the Arts Council. Best wishes for a strong & exciting future.

Fiona Thompson, President BAC

21 May 2009