A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13
www.onfife.com
contents CEO Introduction
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Introduction from the Chair – Enriching Lives in Fife 5 2012/13 Highlights and Projects: Reading and Learning
Fife Cultural Trust
Highlights of Our First Year Click here to view
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Exhibitions and Collections
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Theatre and Arts
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Partnerships
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Capital Projects
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Finance and Performance
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Introduction I am delighted to introduce Fife Cultural Trust’s (FCT) first annual report. The Trust was established on 1 October 2012 and brings together the libraries, arts, museums, archives, and galleries services previously delivered directly by Fife Council, together with the theatre services previously delivered by the Arts and Theatres Trust Fife Limited. FCT is responsible for operating and delivering the following facilities and services on behalf of Fife Council: > 47 libraries, 3 mobile libraries and library services to primary schools and housebound readers > 12 museum & heritage venues > 4 theatre and community venues > Fife’s historical archives and Fife Council’s Records Management > Fife’s Cultural Strategy, Partnerships and Consortium > Maintenance and development of library services within Fife Council’s 4 integrated customer service facilities > Stewardship and care for the objects and archives in Fife Council’s collections A diverse range of quality events and opportunities is delivered across Fife by the Trust within its venues, as well as schools, community halls and within Fife’s built and natural environment. FCT also offers a range of opportunities for local people and communities to engage in cultural and heritage activities in addition to lifelong learning opportunities for all designed to be accessible for hard to reach individuals. The potential in bringing together this wide range of cultural facilities and services into the one organisation is significant and already Fife is recognised nationally for its long established and proud tradition of delivering quality cultural services for all. Our vision is that Fife will be the most culturally vibrant and rewarding place to live, work, study and visit in Scotland, and our mission is to provide creative, entertaining and learning experiences that enhance quality of life, delivered in our galleries, libraries, museums, theatres and through our partnerships. We are clear that our purpose is enriching lives in Fife, and are committed to ensuring that we conduct all aspects of our business in line with our values of being inclusive, creative, trusted, enabling, and acting with integrity.
This annual report describes the range of work undertaken by the Trust. It highlights some of the developments, projects and events by the individual services which now form the Trust during April – September 2012, then activity during the first six months of the newly formed organisation from 1 October 2012. The initial 6 month period of operation for FCT was a particularly challenging time for the organisation. In the run up to vesting day on 1 October, the focus was necessarily on ensuring that the legal and operational infrastructure was in place and fit for purpose to allow the transfer of services, assets, and staff from AttFife and Fife Council to the new body. A range of transitional issues remained after this vesting date, particularly in relation to property and financial issues, which continued to be resolved. Developing a consolidated baseline budget for the new organisation for this 6 month period and for the longer term was a particular focus, as was planning for the delivery of significant savings within 2013/14, the first full year of operation for FCT. Planning for the delivery of further savings during 2014/15 has continued to be a focus for the Board and senior management team. The new Trust employs over 400 staff and has a turnover in excess of £11m. During its first year of operation, the Trust has managed to reduce its subsidy from Fife Council by 11%, which, given that 80% of the services we deliver are free at the point of delivery is a significant achievement at this early stage of development of the organisation, but important given the financial challenges ahead. In parallel, strategic planning for the organisation in the longer term continues to progress in relation to putting in place a staffing structure for the new organisation which is fit for purpose. We are developing the first integrated strategic plan for all of the services for which the Trust is now responsible for delivering. There is no doubt that we have achieved a significant amount over the past year of which I am incredibly proud. None of this would be possible without the continued commitment, loyalty, and customer focus, of our talented staff and the range and quality of partners with whom we work. We are well placed to continue to build on these early successes and I look forward to leading the organisation as it continues to go from strength to strength. Heather Stuart, Chief Executive
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Our Vision Fife will be a culturally vibrant and rewarding place to live, work, study and visit
Our Mission ENRICHING LIVES IN FIFE
Our Purpose Fife Cultural Trust provides creative, entertaining and learning experiences that enhance the quality of life, through our partnerships and in our Museums, Galleries, Libraries and Theatres
Our Values Inclusive, Creative, Trusted, Enabling, Integrity
FCT Board Members 1 Stuart R Cross (Chair) Senior Lecturer and Head of Learning and Teaching at the Law School, University of Dundee 2 Christine May (Vice Chair) Self Employed Business Consultant
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3 Carole Patrick Programme and Grants Manager, Life Changes Trust 4 Jenni Steele Head of Partnership Communications, VisitScotland 5 Katie Brown Head of Participation & Education, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children & Young People
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6 Brian Lawrie Retired Accountant 7 Dr Frank Quinault Retired Director of Learning & Teaching Quality, University of St Andrews 8 Dr David Caldwell Retired Archaeologist, Historian and Museum Curator 9 Kathleen Taylor Retired Vice Principal in Colleges Sector and Head of Service for Libraries, adult learning, culture and communities in Local government sector 10 Cllr Mike Shirkie Fife Councillor Partner Director 11 Cllr Donald MacGregor Fife Councillor Partner Director 12 Cllr Linda Erskine Fife Councillor Partner Director 13 Cllr Brian Goodall Fife Councillor Partner Director
Enriching Lives in Fife As the Chair of the new Fife Cultural Trust I take great pride in the work that has been achieved across the organisation since our creation on 1 October 2012 and the range, diversity, quality, and impact of the work we undertake, which is clearly demonstrated throughout this report. Fife Cultural Trust (FCT) is a company limited by guarantee (SC415704), governed by its memorandum and articles of association. FCT’s Board comprises 13 Directors, including 4 elected members of Fife Council as Partner Directors, and 9 independent Directors. FCT was created to deliver cultural activity on behalf of Fife Council and for the people of Fife and our core purpose is Enriching Lives in Fife. Cultural services in Fife have a critical role to play in delivering against Fife Council’s key aims. Supporting a vibrant economy We are supporting a vibrant economy, with nearly 3 million visitors to Fife’s libraries, museums, galleries, and theatres every year, and our services contribute over £13m of benefit to the Fife economy. We also use the resources we receive from Fife Council to lever in further financial benefit which last year was £2.7m through a combination of income, external funding, and sponsorship. Fife’s creative community is one of the most significant and vibrant in Scotland with Fife’s arts and creative industries delivering the fourth largest economic contribution in Scotland constituting 5% and delivering 1.2% of total employment in the Kingdom. Our Create in Fife initiative, in partnership and with financial support from Fife Council and Creative Scotland, supports growing businesses through delivering a programme of support and development ensuring that these creative businesses can fulfil their potential. Fife’s Cultural Consortium brings together a strong and vibrant partnership of cultural organisations from across Fife, and continues to go from strength to strength with over 300 members now involved and having levered in over £3m of external funding to the Kingdom last year. A real vibrancy is also regularly created in and around our venues and facilities bringing economic and social benefits to local businesses and communities from increased footfall and spend. During our first year, we have continued to support the development of basic skills and improving the employment opportunities of local people. There were 288,000 learning uses of our PCs this year, an increase of over 10% on last year, as local people seek our advice and support to deal with the challenges associated with welfare reform. On average, each of our computers is used 1,000 times per year and 270 IT taster sessions were delivered. Working with key partners such as Job Centre Plus and Skills Development Scotland, we also provided support to those applying for jobs or looking to improve their employability and there were 3,433 attendances at job clubs across 11 libraries.
Helping to Reduce Poverty and Inequality In terms of educational attainment, 98% of Fife’s primary schools continued this year to access the resources we provide to support delivery of the curriculum with 81,000 books issued, a 5% increase on the previous year. We have continued to improve early years skills and literacies development through the delivery of 1,455 nursery events, 4,000 baby and toddler Booktrust packs, and 511 Bookbug sessions, further developing the school readiness of children across Fife. There continues to be consistently high demand from schools for our museums resources in the form of specially created loan boxes to inspire children and young people. Our theatres and arts activities engaged with over 26,000 school pupils from across Fife during this year, and we continued to deliver nearly 40 directly programmed performances across all of our venues for schools including nursery age children attracting over 5,500 pupils. The JUMP project in partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland involved nearly 2,000 of the hardest to reach secondary male pupils with significant behavioural issues encouraging their effective reintegration into schools, families, and communities. Improving the health and wellbeing of Fifers continued to be a focus this year. The book prescription service which has been benefitting Fifers since 2009 was joined this year by the cultural prescriptions service developed with NHS Fife delivering cultural opportunities for 270 people in its first phase. The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, which celebrates getting creative and connecting with others to improve mental health, had another successful year involving over 1,300 Fifers. The Active Fife initiative encouraged 14 teenage girls to create their own walking track to encourage physical activity, a success which will be built on in the next 2 years. Improving Quality of Life in Communities Adult basic education groups continued to meet regularly across our facilities throughout the year supported by our staff and colleagues from community learning. We deliver over 100 weekly courses and classes across all of our facilities. Fife’s Creative Learning network continued to bring together community, cultural and education partners to promote cross-curricular creative learning opportunities across the Kingdom. It engaged with over 100 teachers, 50 cultural organisations and in excess of 10,000 people across Fife. We also supported community participation in a multitude of ways including through The Band project in Lochgelly involving 168 participants, nearly half of whom were unwaged, and many of whom had mental health issues. Over 5,000 people were involved in the project across Fife and £250,000 of external funding was attracted to the project, helping to contribute to the regeneration of Fife’s communities. Our services have a positive impact on so many lives in Fife and we look forward to welcoming you to our venues, events and activities in the year ahead. Stuart Cross, Chair, Fife Cultural Trust Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 5
reading and learning If you live, work or study in Fife, or even if you are just visiting, you can join any of Fife’s 51 community libraries, 3 mobile libraries and a housebound service and choose from a wide range of services. Library services are at the heart of the community and provide truly accessible reading and learning opportunities for all including: >
Our Library catalogue with over 590,000 books & DVDs to choose from
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A network of more than 250 computers, where you can access free Internet, email and online learning and much more!
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Author events
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Over 100 readers groups in Fife
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Children’s Services including Bookbug, Reading Groups for Kids, Summer Book Challenge, Teenagers’ Services and our Schools Library services.
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Local History Collections
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Online: Visit The Reading Room to find reader promotions and activities and read book reviews in A Right Guid Read
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Full text eBooks online from Publishers such as Bloomsbury, Canongate and Arden.
Archives The Archive Centre in Markinch holds the principal collection of historical records of civic life in Fife. Our role is to ensure the permanent preservation of the records and to make them available to members of the public. You can use online archives catalogue search via onfife.com to see the sort of records we hold or to look for something specific. Our Archives Centre celebrated this year with three notable acquisitions: > records of the Olympiad and the Glenrothes Half Marathon, c. 1980s – 2000s > designs entered in the competition to create a logo for Fife Council, 1995 – 96 > 3 photograph albums of No 3 Dock Methil being built, 1908 – 1913
1.7 million library visits and 1.9 million book issues during 2012/13
Highlights and Projects
Big Books Brains Quiz Schools in Fife just can’t get enough of BBBQ. The initial 3 year project was extended due to demand from schools who see it as key to their literacy strategy. Around 3,000 children took part with 97 schools signed up. 397 children formed 129 teams to take part in the final at Rothes Halls. Another 1,825 children from 43 schools joined in through the GLOW network. One grandparent said, “It’s been amazing – every time I look at my grandson he’s reading a book! He’s never shown any interest in reading before.” Photo: Winners – Pittenweem PS with quizmaster Johnny Meres
81,000 books issued to 144 Fife Primaries by Fife Libraries Schools Service
Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) 2012 The title of the UK-wide challenge was Story Lab, though, unsurprisingly in the Olympic year, the theme had to be creatively sport-orientated. Participation in the Summer Reading Challenge continues to grow in Fife – by 33% in fact, to 4,312 children.
The Libraries’ Young People’s Team promoted the scheme enthusiastically and extensively, managing to speak at 95 school assemblies in the final weeks of term. This promotion helped attract great numbers into libraries to take part in our summer activities programme and go on to select books from the special SRC book displays on offer in 96% of our libraries. This was a well co-ordinated project that saw our summer junior book issues grow by 7.83% and helped the children of Fife maintain their reading habit over the holidays.
Book Week Scotland Book Week Scotland is a Scottish Government supported initiative administered by Scottish Book Trust. In 2012, funding was made available to deliver 3 free events in every authority in Scotland in the week leading up to St Andrew’s Day in 2012. In Fife, the opportunity was taken to expand on the three free events to deliver an adults’ and children’s book festival on similar lines to successful festivals produced in the past by the Libraries’ service. 40 events were delivered in both Trust and non-Trust venues with 60% of events delivered in libraries. The events included Fife’s 8th annual Readers’ Day, author-led talks for both adults and children, a creative writing event, craft events, theatrical storytellers, a Poet on a Bus and a Fife-wide Reading Hour. 4,221 adults and children attended the events which was incredible considering the overall Scottish attendance was 20,000.
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Reading and Learning Highlights and Projects
Reading Relay
Scottish Week
Literacy Award
In 2012 the national adult summer reading promotion was led by Fife Libraries when our suggestion of a promotion based on a reading relay was adopted. The Libraries Adult Services Team in Fife then took on the lead role of developing, creating and distributing the promotional materials to be used in all Scottish libraries. The launch of the Reading Relay was held in the Jennie Lee Library, Lochgelly, with Elaine Fulton, then Director of Scottish Library Information Council, and the late author Iain Banks on the 21st June. Over the summer readers were asked to read a collection of books and vote for their favourite – the title with the most votes was then declared the winner of Fife’s Reading Relay. Liza Marklund’s book The Bomber was awarded Fife’s gold medal. Liza commented on finding out that she had won: “I’m so glad and grateful that the Scottish Reading Relay readers enjoyed my novel The Bomber. I know that my heroine can be quite a handful, but you guys up north know how to handle her. You are just as tough as we are up here in Scandinavia...”
Celebrating Scotland and the Scots has become a firm part of the new Curriculum for Excellence. In response to school requests for activities to enrich this work, the Young People’s Team offered a small selection of Scottish themed events in the week approaching Robert Burns’s birthday in January 2013. This proved very successful as almost every event attracted a capacity audience.
Fife Libraries were awarded a bronze at the COSLA Excellence Awards under the Achieving Better Outcomes category for the partnership work carried out between Fife’s libraries and Adult Basic Education services. The Fife Library /Literacy Book and Film events are designed to encourage local adults who do not currently engage with adult learning or library services to explore the benefits of reading and learning. While book and film events are held throughout Scotland, Fife is unique in holding such events targeting those with literacy needs. Local adults who lack confidence in their reading skills, either because they have literacy learning needs, have suffered from mental health difficulties leading to concentration issues, or people who have just lost the reading habit have reported increased confidence in their reading skills as a result of this project. The approach of offering film events as a way to introduce the books, whether conventional or graphic novels, has been a useful way of approaching vulnerable adults, reluctant to take up conventional education as a first step.
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The programme included film screenings of the Disney animation ‘Brave’, popular with all ages, James Robertson’s ‘Gruffalo’ in Scots and we even had Allan Burnett as Rabbie himself telling the story of the bard’s life and achievements. With 3,405 attendances, many supported by transport seed-corn funding from the Cultural Partnerships Team, this project reached across Fife and was enjoyed by children from Tayport to Kincardine.
Reading and Learning Highlights and Projects
Digital Participation Public access computer use increased by almost 14,500 hours, with an additional 868 users since 2011/12. The role of libraries to help minimise the number of people who are digitally excluded and low-skilled, looks to increase over the coming years as the Government works towards the full implementation of Universal Credit and Universal Job Match. The increase in usage demonstrates that the impact is already being felt in libraries and staff have reported queues at certain times of the day as well as more demand for immediate assistance. The library service will continue to be part of the Digital Participation Working Group and Welfare Reform Support Group aiming to ensure that the necessary support network, both in terms of equipment and staff assistance, is in place to meet the challenges raised by welfare reform.
288,000 computer bookings totalling 182,000 public access hours
Collection HQ (formerly SmartSM) We have now been using this piece of stock management software for just over 1 year. Collection HQ allows us to move stock in a more systematic way than previously and helps to ensure that stock is moved to where there is a demand. From the information we have obtained we have moved 15,409 items over the last year, resulting in an additional 50,673 issues. The books which were moved had not been issued, on average, for 12.6 months in the previous library. We are still in the process of working out the best reports to ensure our readers have access to the books they want in the libraries they use. A review to ascertain whether the use of this tool has long term benefits beyond the 3 year subscription is to be carried out in July. Collection HQ was part funded by the Scottish Government through the Public Library Improvement Fund.
Author Events 2012/13 saw a wide range of authors visiting Fife to talk to our readers. From Ian Rankin, who attracted a sell out audience of 400, to the late Iain Banks and also Tam Dalyell in conversation with Dennis Canavan, all showing what a welcoming and versatile building the new Lochgelly Centre is. Authors visited Dunfermline, St Andrews, Dalgety Bay, Leven, Newport and Rothes Halls libraries as well as events in St Bryce Kirk and the Adam Smith Theatre. The authors varied from Christopher Brookmyre talking about his latest science fiction novel, Alex Scratchman revisiting his colonial childhood in India, to ladykiller Catriona McPherson, female crime writer, on her promotional tour from America. We had something for all tastes, includung a Brewing Heritage evening. In total 998 people attended our author events during this period.
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Reading and Learning Highlights and Projects Reading Groups 2012/ 2013 saw the 10th anniversary of the reading groups at Dalgety Bay, Methil and Carnegie Dunfermline Libraries and special events were held to mark the occasions. Fife Cultural Trust now supports 100 reading groups across Fife, either by supplying multiple copies of books to groups that are self-run, or by hosting and leading groups in our venues.
Highlights in Local Libraries 2012 was a year of special national occasions and some libraries also celebrated their own new beginnings, birthdays and anniversaries. > Spring marked the Official Opening of Valleyfield Library in the newly refurbished Community Centre with a range of special activities for the local community to enjoy. > Over 160 local people packed into Rosyth Library in April for the Garden City Association’s two informative and entertaining illustrated talks on Rosyth and Neighbourhood. The large audiences saw a treasure trove of archived film footage of the local area including Churchill at Rosyth in 1940, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1945 and Navy Days in the mid 1950s. > Library staff across Fife helped customers develop their computer skills to complete Race Online IT taster courses, linked to the 2012 Olympic Games, and held Learners’ Celebrations to award certificates of achievement. > Dalgety Bay Library staff organised a special Afternoon Tea Party for the Diamond Jubillee, attended by over 150 local people, many dressed in red, white and blue. A street party atmosphere was created with Union Jack-covered tables, bunting and balloons, and everyone enjoyed a royal spread of sandwiches, tea and cakes which the staff had made and donated for this national holiday event. Books with a royal connection were featured in the special Rule, Britannia! display. > Most libraries took part in the school summer holiday Olympic flag competition for children to decorate their libraries. One enterprising young reader from Dalgety Bay was inspired to ask 13 well-known children’s authors appearing at the Edinburgh Book Festival, including Jacqueline Wilson and Julia Donaldson, to autograph flags for her local library. > ‘Team CB’ at Cowdenbeath Library won a bronze medal for their amazing London 2012 Olympic display in the local Gala Competition.
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Reading and Learning Top Reads of The Year The top 3 most borrowed titles in 2012/13 were: Ian Rankin The Impossible Dead Michael Connelly The Drop Lee Child The Affair The top 3 most requested titles were: Ian Rankin Standing in Another Man’s Grave Lee Child A Wanted Man Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games
Total reservations placed in 2012/13 were 137,392 (27% placed on-line via the library catalogue) Of the requests satisfied: > 50.59% were satisfied in 7 days or less, and > 73.28% within 15 days or less Our longest distance Inter-Library Loan in 2012 /13 was to Denmark
Highlights in Local Libraries > On an icy day in early December, Cowdenbeath Library hosted a WEA talk, Memories of the Co-operative in Fife, which linked with a Local History display. The audience shared their recollections and a Diamond Jubilee Programme and a Jubilee tea-pot were donated to the library. > At the start of 2013, first birthday celebrations were held at Valleyfield and Lochgelly Libraries with, respectively, a display of local history maps and photographs and a talk on the Valleyfield Estate by members of Valleyfield Heritage Project, and a St Valentine’s Day special story-time and cupcake party for nursery children. > Dalgety Bay Library hosted an event on Superstitions to link with this year’s theme for Local History Week in March. Local author and historian, Eric Simpson, gave an illustrated talk on coastal Fife’s Witches and Warlocks to an audience of over 60 people.
Integrated Services: Leven, Methil and Inverkeithing one year ON Between October and December 2012 Fife Cultural Trust undertook 711 hours of training and arranged extra support and staff cover to get Inverkeithing Civic Centre up and running as a fully integrated service. Leven Library responded to customer feedback about the reception area by redesigning the counter and introducing a separate library “reception pod”. The positive change has improved the service and customers are very pleased with their improved library experience. Now that the three libraries are operated by Fife Council, with their development work and bookstock managed by Fife Cultural Trust, an agreement to ensure the new arrangements work smoothly is being put in place. Nominated Liaison Officers will support both organisations in the new way of working, and the Service Delivery Agreement is expected to be completed in 2013/14, all of which is focused on delivering the best possible customer experience to those who use these services.
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THE PEOPLE’S
PICK
exhibitions & collections We work with community groups, artists and other museums and galleries to deliver a vibrant programme of exhibitions and events and to develop the collections that tell Fife’s stories. Entry to all our 12 museums and heritages venues is free, and there really is something for everyone. Each venue has its own unique character, with fascinating permanent displays such as an A-Z of St Andrews and the stunning Scottish Art on show at Kirkcaldy Galleries. Our museum and heritage venues are:
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Newport Library and Heritage Centre
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Kirkcaldy Galleries
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Laing Museum
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St Andrews Museum
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St Margaret’s Cave
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Methil Heritage Centre
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St Monans Windmill
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Pittencrieff House Museum
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MAC – Fife’s Mobile Museum
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Buckhaven Library & Museum
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Burntisland Library & Museum
Heritage displays at Inverkeithing Civic Centre (a Fife Council integrated facility)
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Newburgh Library and Heritage Centre
A record breaking 72,000 people visited St Andrews Museum this year
Highlights and Projects
S.J.Peploe: The French Connection St Andrews Museum
The 53 Pits of Levenmouth Methil Heritage Centre
Gifted – The Edinburgh Book Sculptures on Tour 2012
With Kirkcaldy Galleries closed for refurbishment, we decided to take this unique opportunity to showcase one of our biggest draws – our outstanding collection of work by Scottish Colourist S.J.Peploe – in a new location at St Andrews Museum.
This exhibition was curated by the Friends of Methil Heritage, who put an enormous of amount of energy and volunteer hours into researching the many pits of Levenmouth – from the larger collieries to the smaller, forgotten pits of the Lady Lillian and Happy Mine.
A set of beautiful and mysterious literary sculptures, which became a media sensation, went on display at Dunfermline Carnegie Library for three weeks in November 2012, one of only six venues in Scotland chosen to host this touring exhibition.
Over 14,000 people saw the show. It proved enormously popular with both regular fans of the collection, who had the chance to see the works in fresh surroundings, and a whole new audience. St Andrews draws large numbers of tourists, both from the UK and overseas, and visitors to the show included residents of Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Vietnam. In addition the exhibition had group visits from eight adult summer school groups. “Wonderful to see art displayed once again in St Andrews Museum. First class exhibition”. “Superb exhibition. Also, excellent children’s backpacks. Thank you!” “First time I have seen so many Peploes in one venue. World class.”
The group then worked with the Libraries & Museums Interpretation Team to create a fascinating show – with eye catching exhibits like a one tonne lump of coal! The show was a real hit, not surprising when Methil’s own history is so closely bound with this industry. A particularly rewarding outcome was the way the show opened up a new dialogue with the public – who fed in their first hand knowledge and memories of mining. In total the show brought in 1,795 visitors, including a visit from local primary school St Agatha’s.
The ten anonymous sculptures had been discovered at various institutions in Edinburgh, including the Scottish Poetry Library and the National Library of Scotland. Each intricate piece, crafted out of books, came with a unique message that included the line ‘in support of libraries, books, words, ideas….’ Organised by the Scottish Poetry Library and supported by Creative Scotland, this well attended exhibition generated extremely positive feedback: “Had heard about these sculptures and absolutely delighted to view them when here on a visit from London. What a joy for a book lover!” “Amazing. So great that they have come to Dunfermline.”
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Exhibitions & Collections
The Fun Rug While Kirkcaldy Galleries were closed one group of loyal volunteers, The Sewing Circle, continued to work away behind the scenes at fortnightly meetings. Fuelled only by tea and biscuits they produced The Fun Rug, a fantastic new storytelling carpet for use at the Galleries. The quilted patchwork rug features some wonderful images from the collections in Fife Cultural Trust’s care, transformed into textile works of art. To be shown first in the Art Lab exhibition, the rug will start work in the autumn, when it can be laid out during storytelling and other sessions, to provide comfortable floor seating for young children.
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Inspirations – Community engagement with heritage and museums We continue to work with community groups to stage exhibitions within our venues – giving them a fantastic opportunity to showcase their work and encouraging others to take up new activities. One that proved particularly popular with visitors was the Christmas Show by Dundee and East of Fife Embroiderers’ Guild at St Andrews Museum. The show created a real buzz at the Museum at a traditionally quiet time, with group members often on hand to answer questions, and running textile workshops. In just over a month there were over 1,500 visitors, one commenting ‘Exciting & inspirational – a local ladies group of national importance!’
MAC – art & sustainability Fife’s unique-in-Scotland touring Museum opened a new show in Autumn 2012. The theme of the new exhibition, The Kingdom of if, produced by Fife Contemporary Art & Craft, is art & sustainability in Fife, as seen through the eyes of 8 artists. Since opening, there have been 3,929 visitors.
Economic Impact of FCT inc tourism spending: Adds £15.3 million in value (GVA) to Fife’s economy
Exhibitions & Collections
Doors Open Day Doors Open Days in 2012 were again popular, although the poor weather contributed to a slightly lower number of visitors at the regular venues: St Monans Windmill; St Margaret’s Cave; Methil Heritage Centre and Newburgh’s Laing Museum. Our theatres, Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy and Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline, are also historical venue highlights during the local open days.
Museums care for over 115,000 museum objects illustrating Fife’s rich heritage
New to the collections – adding to Fife’s assets: Amongst the 96 new acquisitions to the museum collection were: > A rare silver heart shaped brooch, from around 1350. This was found by a metal detectorist in a field on the edge of Kirkcaldy and was allocated to our Museums by the Treasure Trove Panel. It appeared on the ITV programme Britain’s Secret Treasures in Autumn 2013.
The People’s Pick With support from the Fife Free Press, a year of voting for the public’s best loved paintings from Fife’s art collection came to an end in January. Although the paintings were in storage, people were encouraged to view them on the BBC’s Your Paintings website. Groups, individuals and local celebrities all got involved. The most popular paintings from the vote formed the Galleries’ first exhibition on reopening.
> Two beautiful Wemyss Ware objects – a large pottery pig and an Earlshall Flower pot – were purchased thanks to financial assistance from the Friends of Kirkcaldy Galleries and the National Fund for Acquisitions.
What a gem of an exhibition to come upon by chance. A joy which almost brought a tear – if only I could paint like this. Wonderful, heart warming. A delight & an inspiration. Many thanks.
Love this museum. Beautifully situated and maintained, lovingly cared for. Interesting, enjoyable exhibitions both today and on previous visits.
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theatre and arts Fife Cultural Trust operates four major theatre and community venues spread over a radius of 25 miles: >
Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy
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Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline
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Lochgelly Centre, Lochgelly
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Rothes Halls, Glenrothes
We deliver an eclectic mix of quality theatre and arts programming both within our venues and across Fife. As well as presenting an extensive and popular programme of professional touring companies spanning the performing arts, we support a significant number of performances and activities from local arts groups. Development of new artistic work in Fife is supported by our commissioning of new work and education projects, supporting the development of emerging artists and residencies, creating our own work and mounting co-productions and national tours. We also offer a wide programme of courses, classes and opportunities to get involved in the arts. As well as the performing arts, ON at Fife Theatres have built a strong visual arts programme, with exhibitions in our 2 Fifespace, FotoSpace, and Adam Smith Theatre galleries complemented by art workshops, taster sessions and artist-led masterclasses.
Over 150, 000 paid attendances at theatre and cinema shows in 2012/13
Our four theatres are each unique, with their own characters, histories, audience catchments, auditoriums and facilities. Our Creative Team deliver an eclectic programme in each venue, celebrating the diversity of the spaces on offer, and ensuring the programme reads in a complementary way across the region.
Top Selling Events 2012/13 Receiving Programme
Our core receiving programme is delivered through longstanding relationships with agents and promoters, as well as working with new and emerging artists. Highlights for the year included many sell-out blockbusters, as well as rave reviews for new acts and smaller-scale productions. We are committed to extending the breadth of opportunities for Fife residents to experience the magic, entertainment and sometimes life-changing experiences the arts can offer.
Ladies Of Country
We truly offer something for everyone from the populist and established to new and developing artists and one off events. Drama, Music, Comedy, Dance, Variety and Children’s shows from Scottish, National and International artists can be experienced throughout the year and across the region with over 400 professional performances this year alone.
Ladyboys Of Bangkok The Manfreds Stars Of Strictly Russian State Ballet and Opera House Jimmy Tarbuck The Magic Of Motown One Night Of Queen RSNO Viennese Gala An Evening Of Dirty Dancing Vagina Monologues Dorothy Paul The Jersey Boys
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Theatre and Arts Core Receiving Programme
This utterly charming and heart-warming piece is a sweetly fluffy tear-jerker, working its magic on young and old The Herald, Little Ulla
A fiercely likeable evening of theatre, rich in talent and musical inspiration Joyce McMillan, Whatever Gets You Through The Night
Unbelievable to see this level of musical dexterity up close. More please! Audience Member, J-Word
more daring, more theatrical and even more sensual. The Guardian, Dunedin Consort
Great show, from the doors opening at 7 o’clock, we had the chance to sample the beautifully extended Tiffany Lounge at the Carnegie Hall before the gig got underway Audience member, Hue & Cry
I haven’t laughed so much in years! Audience member, The Steamie
Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 18
Theatre and Arts
Festivals & Co-productions
TOTfest November 2012 saw the third year of our Totfest festival and tour programme in ‘Totfest goes Wild’. Part of this year’s programme saw the commissioning of Toowhit Toowhoo, a collaboration piece between Grinagog Theatre Company and Sokobauno. The piece, aimed at 0 – 4 yrs, took place in a 1968 Cheltenham Caravan with 25 performances in the grounds of our theatres. We also welcomed back Babychill, an immersive inflatable theatre experience for babies, which was created with us as part of our Starcatchers residency in 2010. “The babies and toddlers were mesmerised and it was such a fun experience in the caravan” Customer Comment
A Christmas Carol, National Theatre of Scotland The NToS and FCT co-production of A Christmas Carol was performed at The Old Kirk, Kirkcaldy. In this sold out run of 27 performances throughout December, audiences were carried back in time to Dickensian London in an immersive setting that transformed the Old Kirk to the dust filled offices of Ebeneezer Scrooge. The show brought Fife significant national profile drawing 50% of its audience from outwith the region.
“Fife Free Press ‘Show of 2012’ Visually stunning, funny, captivating, powerful, and brilliantly executed – it is arguably the very best piece of theatre to come to Fife this year.” Allan Crow Fife Free Press
Nutshell Theatre – Thread We welcomed Nutshell back to Fife with the 2nd piece of our co-production trilogy “Still Points in a Turning World” which saw the award winning Allotment in the Summer performing at four outdoor venues in Kirkcaldy, Lochgelly, Glenrothes and Dunfermline. The project contributes to re-shaping the Care for Older People and runs alongside an evolving outreach and education programme, offering participants a legacy within their local community, helping to foster links and reduce isolation.
ON at Fife Theatres understand how important the arts are in our lives and we cherish every project we are lucky enough to do in partnership. In these times they are a beacon of hope and possibility. Long may it continue Vicky Featherstone, National Theatre of Scotland
Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 19
Theatre and Arts
Festival Month
Film and Digital
Local Arts
February 2013 brought visitors back out for 2 major festivals:
2012/13 was an exciting year for film developments at the Adam Smith Film Theatre. Not only did audience numbers increase, but we were able to add National Theatre Live and Live from the Bolshoi screenings due to the installation of a digital projector and subsequent satellite system, to the big screen offer in June 2012.
All our venues support a thriving local arts scene, and we have longstanding relationships with many companies.
Fife Jazz Festival Working in collaboration with Jazz Scotland for the 6th annual festival, this year, we were thrilled to welcome a host of international stars as well as the best of swinging jazz from our own shores including: exceptional groups from Sweden: The Norrbotten Big Band and The Arctic Youth Jazz Orchestra; brilliant young New York pianist/singer, Champian Fulton, Mud Morganfield, headlining an enhanced blues programme that also features the brilliant young Finnish star, Erja Lyytinen, and Scotland’s own power group, The Nimmo Brothers. “Amazing that we can see such a wide variety of Jazz and Blues in such a short period – hard to choose in the end.” Audience Member Manipulate – Visual Theatre Festival We were delighted to bring this high profile event to Fife, further extending our strong partnership with Puppet Animation Scotland, with Lochgelly Centre becoming a key Scottish venue for this festival. We welcomed International companies from Los Angeles and Finland. “An emotional adventure full of wonder and imagination” FYT Blog, Paper Cinema by Odyssey
Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 20
Films ranged from art-house, foreign language to blockbusters and particularly successful was the programme for children and young people. The film Brave, as well as promoting Scotland worldwide via Hollywood, was particularly well attended. We launched the new projector in June with a popular screening of the Ewan MacGregor comedy Salmon Fishing In The Yemen and with Ken Loach’s gritty The Angels’ Share followed by Live from The Bolshoi in September and NT Live in October. The live by satellite programme runs throughout the year with two live screenings per month on average. November 2012 we hosted 8 screenings from the UK wide 20th French Film Festival bringing the best of French cinema to Fife for the first time.
“The French film festival was very interesting and we would really like to see film events like this continue – more than the occasional foreign language film throughout the year!” Customer comment
These include Dunfermline Arts Guild, Kirkcaldy Amateur Operatic Society, Kirkcaldy Amateur Dramatic Society, Carnegie Youth Theatre,Why Not? Musical Theatre Company, East Fife Male and Ladies Choirs, Kelty Musical Association, Rosyth & District Musical Society, Dunfermline Dramatic Society, Cowdenbeath Theatre Company, Lochgelly and District Amateur Musical Association, Lochgelly Band, Glenrothes Amateur Musical Association, Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society, the Gilbert and Sullivan Societies, dozens of local dance schools and many more. Local Arts Groups presented over 170 performances this year in our theatres. We use our resources to support Arts groups and community organisations to realise their creative ambitions. We also work in partnership with a wide range of community groups to offer a full programme of more than 50 weekly arts based courses and classes across a range of subjects such as drama, pottery, dance, aerial skills, pottery and drawing and painting.
Christmas In house Productions
Hansel and Gretel Carnegie Hall
Sleeping Beauty Adam Smith Theatre
The classic fairytale was reinvented in a new Christmas show by writer and director Jonathan Stone and our in-house production team. This year the addition of live music, more audience participation and a beautiful set, as well as magical storytelling suitable for young ages, ensured an audience hit.
Sleeping Beauty at Adam Smith Theatre was the best selling pantomime to date with over 19,000 visitors at 46 performances. The French themed retelling of Sleeping Beauty was another FCT own production directed by Jonathan Stone and written by Alan McHugh and starring the popular Billy Mack.
With funding from sponsor Wiseman Dairies, we were able to produce, for the first time, an educational behind the scenes film which was made available to all Fife Schools on the Glow network as well as our website. There was also an online activities pack for schools and groups as well as 10 in-school music and drama workshops in advance of the schools attending a performance.
Sleeping Beauty was also part of a new access initiative by Solar Bear Ltd Theatre Company to create deaf theatre clubs and a new dialogue between venues and their deaf patrons.
“This is the best decision I have made coming to Carnegie Hall to See Hansel and Gretel. Usually I would take the lower school to The Lyceum and the older school to the Kings but this year we have all come together and have seen one of the best children’s shows we have ever seen… Thank you.” The Head Teacher at St Margaret Primary School
“When asked what she liked about the show, my very well behaved five year old companion for the evening said: “Everything – except the dragon”. I’d call that a job well done. So get yourself into the Christmas spirit and head along to the Adam Smith Theatre for a fun-filled night.” Fife Free Press “I come every year and it was the best one yet. Billy Mack was hilarious” Customer Comment
“With a smattering of well-known songs, including I’m A Believer and a version of Madness’ Our House, dancing gingerbread men, jokes, hissing and booing, there really is something for everyone and the Carnegie Hall is worth a visit for anyone wanting to get into the Christmas spirit.” The Courier
Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 21
Education and Residencies
Jump!
Youth Theatre
A year long project co-produced with the National Theatre of Scotland culminated in a run of sell out performances of Jump! at Rothes Halls in November 2012. The show was devised, written and performed by a company of young men drawn from across Fife and worked with 1,956 S2 to S6 pupils. The performance explored the lives, memories, hopes and fears of young men in their mid-teens. The show received National recognition for Fife with a 4 star review in The Scotsman from respected theatre critic Joyce McMillan. She described the show as “..raw, powerful and moving”.
Fife Theatres support Youth Theatre across the region:
The show created by the Fife boys was so well received that it was invited to be the opening performance of the National Festival of Youth Theatre in summer 2013. The project and performances also received positive feedback from educationalists and parents. “Priceless, absolutely priceless to these lads from Kirkcaldy. I think it might just change their lives.” Head Teacher Kirkcaldy High School
Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 22
National Festival of Youth Theatre (NFYT) A Promote YT/FCT co-production, NFYT is the biggest gathering of Youth Theatres in the UK and for the 3rd time, the NFYT was based at Rothes Halls. With more than 350 participants resident over the festival week, groups came from across Scotland, as well as Norway, England and Ireland. Adam Smith Theatre Youth Activity Programme is a programme of workshops and events in the school holidays and during term time designed, in conjunction with Youth Music Theatre Scotland, to broaden the appeal of performing arts to children and young people in Fife. This summer’s programme included the popular West Side Story. The workshops and classes are being offered at a discounted rate to broaden the programmes accessibility to potential users. Fife Youth Theatre was established by FCT in September 2012 and is based at Lochgelly Centre. Run by tutors Claire Broomfield and Dawn Taylor they create original, cuttingedge work with young people who are aged 14 – 25.
“This is the one place that I get to be myself in the whole week. For two hours on a Wednesday night I get to be just Jessie.” Jessie “I felt empowered, like we are able to make a difference.” Craig “My family were really proud of me. They’ve never seen me do anything like that before” Alison (Fife young carer) Manipulate “It was brilliant meeting the companies and hearing how they started and getting advice from them. The performances were awesome!” Cameron. “At FYT I get to: push myself over the limit, to show people that different types of people can work together without prejudice, to show people different perspectives on life by telling different stories with different forms to suit the person and story.” Gavin We enable young people to join accessible and quality drama classes and Youth Theatre across Fife in each of our venues. Our venues host and support Fife College at both Carnegie Hall and Rothes Halls, TAYTA and Carnegie Youth Theatre at Carnegie Hall.
Education & Residencies
The Band The Band Open Access Music Project was part of the Year of Celebrating Creative Scotland in 2012, giving adults in Central Fife a first in a lifetime experience to learn and play instruments. The project was delivered as a partnership between Fife Cultural Trust and Jazz Scotland and was made possible by £250,000 funding from Creative Scotland. The Project was delivered in distinct phases covering learning, outdoor and indoor performance:Phase 1 February – June 2012 Participants, who ranged in age from 16 to 83, worked together with the tutors and project team to form a supportive and inclusive musical community establishing a samba drumming group, contemporary brass band, community band, choir, beginners saxophone section and beginners keyboard and guitar groups. Phase 2 July/August 2012 The Band spent the summer months rehearsing and performing their repertoire at local and regional galas and festivals, including Culross Festival, Cowdenbeath and Kelty galas, Pittenweem Arts Festival and Aberdour Festival. The summer culminated with jazz and vocal weekend courses and a trip to The
Scottish Parliament to open the Festival of Politics, (an additional First in a Lifetime experience!).
story of the Lochgelly Tawse (The School Belt). To quote the local press, it was “a belter of a show!”
Another element of The Band’s summer was hosting visiting international artists, The Stooges from New Orleans and Mestre Allysson Velez from Recife in Brazil. Over 3200 people from Central Fife watched these artists perform and took part in their workshop programmes. The Stooges performed at local venues including the Cowdenbeath Racewall, Lochore Country Park and the Kelty Social Club and also undertook street performances for five local competition winners.
In December at the conclusion of the project we saw the birth of The Band Community Group. FCT continue to support the group through our operations and creative team at Lochgelly Centre.
Phase 3 September – December 2012 For the Autumn Programme, The Band formed into three groups in preparation for a concert programme collaborating with Fife Jazz Orchestra, Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra, The Edinburgh Samba School and Tullis Russell Brass Band. In addition to the concert programme at Lochgelly, The Scottish Swing Orchestra visited Cowdenbeath, Lochore, Bowhill and Kelty.
“Due to illness I am unfit for work. The Band has given me a sense of purpose because when you don’t work you become very detached and isolated. I don’t know what I will do if it doesn’t continue – my life has changed dramatically since I joined The Band. I belong more to society than I did before” Band Participant 168 people joined The Band (well exceeding our target of 80), a third of the membership declares learning, physical or mental health issues. 5,656 people enjoyed the music over the year of the project.
November also saw the performances of Banned the Belt, delivered in collaboration with Janet Robertson (Youth Music Theatre Scotland) – This part of the project also ran from September to create a brand new musical with people from the local community and based around the
Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 23
Residencies and Visual Arts
SPK & RE:Move Dance Residency
Fifespace and Fotospace
Exhibition highlights 2012/13 include:
Launched in May 2011, Re:move was an 18-month dance residency project funded by Creative Scotland. A partnership with Dundee based Smallpetitklein Dance Company, the project has delivered weekly classes for all ages and abilities, developing dance pieces which have gone on to be performed to great acclaim.
We continue to develop Fifespace and Fotospace at Rothes Halls and with the reopening of Lochgelly Centre have been able to grow our visual arts audiences and extend our exhibitions programme.
Progression, selected work from the Visual arts and Crafts Awards
Phase 4 of the project culminated in a site-specific dance performance at Dunfermline Abbey called the Glass Castle on 24th October 2012. The Glass Castle was performed by SPK dancers alongside a cast of 60 community performers. The Glass Castle celebrated Scottish history with the tutors consulting with Historic Scotland and Fife Council Archaeology Department to discover more about the archaeological significance of the building as inspiration in the creative process. Through dance, animation and sound an immersive and suspenseful atmosphere was created with audience members promenading around the Abbey grounds and inside the Abbey. “I loved it. A big well done!” “Loved the great use of the Abbey ruins. The lighting should stay as a tourist attraction. Great dance.” Audience feedback Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 24
During 2012/13, 11 visual arts exhibitions were curated by ON at Fife Theatres within our FifeSpace galleries which are now situated in both Rothes Halls and Lochgelly Centre and 9 photography exhibitions were curated by our resident artist group, Fife Foto Group for our FotoSpace gallery. We also supported Glenrothes Art Club in the display of their ‘Annual Exhibition’ in FifeSpace Rothes Halls during August/September.
FifeSpace
Selected work from The Fife Collection Armada by Alan Faulds Overlapping by Caroline McGonigal and Catherine Yuill Glenrothes Art Club Annual Exhibition Artists and Teachers by Alan Watson, Joe Davie and Marcel O’Connor The Fife Art Exhibition The Polish School of Poster Art The New Graduate Exhibition by Emily Mae Milne, Miriam Rowley and Craig Thomson The Fife Circle by Stuart Gilmore Antarctica by Robert Ward
Due to the temporary closure of Kirkcaldy Galleries for redevelopment, the annual Fife Art Exhibition for 2012 took place in Lochgelly Centre during September–November.
FotoSpace Smoke and Water by Mike Dooley
Exhibitions have been well attended and have received both local and national press coverage.
Protectors of Sight by Sophie Gerrard
“A wonderful exhibition. I will not forget it and have been charged with hope.” Gallery visitor Rothes Halls
Bloom by Susanne Ramsenthaler Going by, Bygones by Grant Jeffrey (Dis)regard by Karen Stentaford Open Submissions 1 Photography in Science What Hercules Might See by Peter Iain Campbell Deafening Echoes by Ian Patterson
working in partnership Fife Cultural Trust supports culture across Fife and works with a huge range of partners, artists and local communities both directly in our libraries, museums and theatres services and supporting the wider cultural community. The Cultural Partnerships team within Fife Cultural Trust has led on a number of initiatives through the year, including the co-ordination of Fife’s Cultural Strategy and The Cultural Consortium, and been instrumental in drawing down external funding to support a wide range of organisations and projects across Fife. Work during 2012/13 includes: >
Access work: advice and support on activities, events and funding to 400 individuals and organisations.
>
Health & Wellbeing: Fife’s unique Cultural Prescription service offered 11 classes in 7 subjects across Fife with 270 spaces. 98% of places were booked prior to classes commencing.
>
Equalities projects: support, development, delivery and funding of 8 equalities projects.
Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 25
Creative & Cultural Economy
Creative Economy The Creative Economy Development Officer has been working with keypartners to develop a support framework for Fife’s Creative and Cultural Industries since August 2012. Achievements to date include: > The completion of a Creative Economy Mapping Exercise > The development of Fife’s Creative & Cultural Economy Strategy and Action Plan. > The Establishment of the ‘Create in Fife’ Network & Support Initiative. > The development of the ‘Create in Fife’ Marketing Plan > The launch of the ‘Create in Fife Fund’ > Think Innovation Programme delivery Think Innovation! This cross-sector project is designed to nurture creativity, innovation and enterprise in Fife by providing support to emerging creative talent and developing an environment where innovation and success in cultural enterprise is possible. In the coming year a 3 pronged programme of Education, Training and Support will engage with over 1000 young people. Partners include Fife College, Fife Contemporary Art & Craft, ACES and the Centre for Stewardship,
Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 26
Visual Art & Craft Support In partnership with Creative Scotland and Fife Council, Fife Cultural Trust and Fife Contemporary Art & Craft launched a new funding and support scheme for craft and visual artists in Autumn 2012. The Opportunities Grant is available to artists living or based in Fife to support projects which enable them to develop their creative practice. Grants of up to £750 are available and to date £14,242 has been administered. The First and Next Steps scheme is supporting three artists over a 12 month period. These tailored support programmes focus on personal, professional and creative development for craft and visual artists and include 1–1 mentoring. Six artists have already begun the process – two Craft and two Visual artists on the Next Steps programme for established artists wishing to develop their professional practice and two emerging artists on the First Steps programme. These awards amount to a £32,000 investment.
The Explore Fife Map The Explore Fife Map was launched in July at the annual East Neuk Festival by Heather Stuart (CEO, Fife Cultural Trust), Sharon Rice-Jones (Promoting Fife, Fife Council) and Amanda McFarlane (Chief Executive, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust). The map pinpoints cultural gems, festivals, museums, attractions and strategic events which will help visitors and local people locate things to do, see and explore throughout the year.
Creative Learning & Heath and Wellbeing
Fife’s Cultural Roadshow
Fife’s Creative Learning Network
Fife’s third Cultural Roadshow took place on Wednesday 20 February 2013 at the Rothes Halls in Glenrothes and was attended by 110 participants.
The Fife Creative Learning Network exists to champion creativity, the arts and culture in Schools and communities within the overarching context of Curriculum for Excellence and for the long term benefit to learners.
Its purpose was to position Fife’s cultural deliverers to enhance their cultural offering. Along with networking opportunities the roadshow offered: > An inspirational and uplifting speech from a keynote speaker > A central marketplace with a focus on funding and services for local groups > A series of bookable breakout Sessions.
Fife’s Science Festival The Fife Science Festival is a celebration of local science and innovation. In partnership with Dundee Science Centre and with the help of funding from The Scottish Government, the 2013 Festival, by working with new partners and venues, the Festival was able to offer the largest programme to date. Over 25 events were held in a variety of venues across the Kingdom offering a wide range of activities that would appeal to all ages and abilities. This year’s event had 4,432 visitors attend, an increase of 40% on 2012. the network activities
In the most recent funded period: > The network membership has increased from 39 individuals in 2011/12 to 150 individuals in 2012/13 (285% increase in membership). > 90 Teachers joined the network. > Creative/cultural organisations on the network increased from 30 in 2011/12 to 46 in 2012/13 (53% increase). We supported the development of: > 25 creative learning opportunities funded through the FCLN > 4 event/networking opportunities funded through the FCLN > 7 additional creative learning opportunities captured through the FCLN > A conservative total number of 10,458 people participated in the network activities
Health & Wellbeing Fife Cultural Trust offer support and advice to Fife’s Cultural Communities enabling them to grow their capacity, lever in funding and work collaboratively to contribute to the overall wellbeing of Fifers. In the past year we have actively supported more than 25 projects ranging from those which result in an increase in community morale to those which deliver theatre and music to those in hospitals and care homes.
Cultural Prescriptions Following on from a successful pilot ‘Cultural Prescriptions’ in early 2012, Phase 1 was launched in the autumn. The service offers creative activities to clients alongside their normal treatment. The classes offer a chance to have some fun, enjoy the company of others and experience some ‘me time’. A choice of 11 classes were offered in 7 different subjects including Pottery, Arts & Crafts, Jewellery, Cookery, Digital Photography, Painting & Drawing and Wellbeing Through Meditation. Overall 171 people attended classes. Word continues to spread about the availability of the service and the database of clients continually grows as more and more practitioners and potential users learn about the classes on offer. “Awesome... took away suicidal thoughts” “Attending has made me more confident.” Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 27
Capital projects
Kirkcaldy Galleries Work continued during 12/13 on the extensive refurbishment of Kirkcaldy’s central library, museum and art gallery. The £2.5m project, funded by Fife Council, has created a strong and effective partnership between the Council’s Building Services and the Trust. Modern facilities including new environmental controls and lighting, a larger café with WiFi and an accessible Activities Room for events and schools visits were all part of the plans. The integrated building, which has had many of its original features restored, is set to become a renewed landmark for the town and surrounding areas.
Dunfermline Museum and Art Gallery In February 2013 the Heritage Lottery Fund announced their support for the project to build a new museum and gallery in Dunfermline to the tune of a £2.8 million grant to match the capital sum of £6.8 million from Fife Council. The Carnegie Dunfermline Trust are committed to contributing a further one million pounds with a public fundraising campaign planned to bring the total up to £10.7 million.
In January, following a public consultation, Kirkcaldy’s Area Committee approved a new name for the building, now to be known as Kirkcaldy Galleries. The temporary library premises in the High Street was closed late April to allow staff to get the new building ready for the grand opening in June and a special programme of events.
This HLF Stage 2 award marked the culmination of almost a decade of planning. The project was inspired by the belief that Dunfermline’s heritage sector will receive a much needed boost by providing a modern, fit-for-purpose, attractive venue in the Heritage Quarter. The main museum displays will focus on Dunfermline’s more recent industrial and social history and the whole integrated library, archive/local history and museum building will act as a signpost to all the heritage attractions in the city.
The new permanent museum display, Moments in Time, depicts 24 pivotal moments – from 300 million years ago to 2012 – which have been selected to showcase the diversity of the town’s past and present.
Now taking the project into the detailed production and contract phases, the new build, adjoining and integrating with the world’s first Carnegie Library in Dunfermline’s Heritage Quarter, is expected to be completed in 2016.
Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 28
Capital Projects
On 8th October exactly a week after Fife Cultural Trust launched – Benarty Library opened in the new Community Centre. The library has a striking bird mural, designed to link with the nearby Lochore Meadows and Benarty Hill, and a programme of special thematically linked events for children was organised for the October school holidays. These included a display of magical classic books echoing the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games; an RSPB talk with bird-feeder activities; an art workshop; a bird-modelling magician and a performance by Scottish Youth Theatre. Themed story-telling and bird mask-making craft sessions led on to Hallowe’en and the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Winnie the Witch. The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP and Councillor Willie Clarke officially opened the Benarty Centre on a cold sleety St Andrew’s Night when the Lochgelly High School Pipe Band welcomed invited guests into the attractive new multi-purpose facility. Plans are also progressing for modernisation work at Auchtermuchty Library in 2013/14.
Newburgh Library moved from its previous location in the Laing building to the Tayside Institute Community Centre in June 2012. At the same time it became Newburgh Library and Heritage Centre and now includes heritage displays. One of the reasons for moving the library was to increase customer access as the previous location was very awkward for people with limited mobility or parents/carers with small children The Library and Heritage Centre occupy two rooms divided by the main corridor through the building. One room houses the Heritage displays and the adult non-fiction, large print and talking book stock. The displays focus on a mixture of topographical views, archaeology and local industries such as lino. In the other room you will find the reception desk, children’s area, adult fiction stock and the public access computers. The move is proving very successful for library services, and the Tayside Institute have reported an increase in visitor numbers, too. Buckhaven Library received a welcomed facelift in early 2013. Along with redecoration and new carpeting, it also benefited from the installment of bright new shelving.
Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 29
Finance & Performance As 2012/13 was a year of transition with the merger of Fife Council (Libraries, Arts, Museums and Archives – LAMA) and pre-existing Trust services (AttFife) to create Fife Cultural Trust (FCT) it is not possible to provide a single Statement of Financial Activities. FCT was established on 1st October 2012. The Statement of Financial Activities below provides an overview of the total resources generated and expended for the six months from 1st April to 30th September 2012 for AttFife, and for LAMA services whilst they were within Fife Council, and for the merged services within FCT for the six months, from 1st October 2012 to 31st March 2013. As the three columns of figures relate to different legal entities with differing accounting treatments the sum of the figures cannot be used to reach a gross figure for income and expenditure across the full year.
Statement of Financial Activities
It should be noted when AttFife was wound up the final closing balance of £227,593 was transferred to FCT and is included within the Donations, Grants and Investment Income column for FCT. The figures should be read in conjunction with the Audited Accounts and Directors’ Report for AttFife covering the period 1st April 2012 to 30th September 2012 and the Audited Accounts and Directors’ Report for FCT covering the period 1st October 2012 to 31st March 2013. Separate audited accounts for LAMA services whilst operating within Fife Council are not available. The figures shown for LAMA services prior to 1st October 2012 remain with Fife Council and no closing balances were transferred to FCT.
AttFife April – Sep 2012 £
LAMA* April – Sep 2012 £
FCT Oct – March 2012/13 £
Donations, Grants and Investment Income
65,031
189,672
438,402
Management fee
1,409,788
0
4,668,038
Provision of cultural facilities
843,650
109,790
1,436,548
Total incoming resources
2,318,469
299,462
6,542,988
Provision of services
1,784,781
4,567,800
6,003,859
Governance costs
22,741
0
132,998
Total resources expenditure
1,807,522
4,567,800
6,136,857
Net movements in funds gain/(loss)
510,947
n/a
406,131
Incoming resources from generated funds
Resources expenditure
* The Libraries, Arts, Museums & Archives figures quoted include some budget headings that have not transferred to FCT e.g. utilities
Fife Cultural Trust A N N U A L R E P O R T 2012–13 Page 30
Performance The work of Fife Cultural Trust touches people’s lives in many ways. The services we provide across Fife mean we reached a wide range of communities and audiences: Theatres
2010 –11
2011–12
2012–13
% change from 2011–12
Attended ticketed shows and events
123,710
126,221
133,853
6.0%
Attended cinema screening
8,980
10,612
18,706
76.3%
Took part in education activities
6,939
7,055
6,399
–9.3%
Attended courses and classes
48,411
55,904
75,697
35.4%
Attended exhibitions
50,048
51,403
49,285
–4.1%
Made use of our café bars
77,031
76,992
42,285
– 45.1%
3
Conferences and meetings
129,123
131,405
116,932
–11.0%
4
Totals
444,242
459,592
443,157
-3.6%
Visits to Museums & Heritage Sites
2010 –11
2011–12
2012–13
% change from 2011–12
Kirkcaldy
82,074
34,187
0
–100.0%
Methil
5,126
5,380
5,157
– 4.1%
St Andrews
68,066
69,264
72,310
4.4%
St Monans Windmill
3,170
90
158
75.6%
Pittencrieff House Museum
18,821
32,966
29,865
–9.4%
St Margaret’s Cave
5,429
6,195
5,007
–19.2%
7
MAC (Fife’s Mobile Museum)
8,869
13,177
7,869
– 40.3%
8
Others (Buckhaven, Burntisland, Dysart, Inverkeithing Civic Centre, Newburgh, Newport Heritage Centre)
49,464
52,428
37,653
–28.2%
Totals
241,019
213,687
158,019
–26.1%
Books and DVD Loans from Libraries *
2010 –11
2011–12
2012–13
% change from 2011–12
SouthWest Fife
216,333
218,512
195,926
–10.3%
City of Dunfermline
456,533
434,665
395,633
–9.0%
Cowdenbeath and the Lochs
165,736
165,242
172,888
4.6%
Glenrothes
233,444
226,302
211,580
–6.5%
North East Fife
348,768
346,020
346,937
0.3%
Levenmouth
159,212
140,924
132,258
–6.1%
12
Kirkcaldy
309,626
289,365
251,747
–13.0%
13
Schools Library Service
85,334
76,811
81,018
5.5%
Mobile Libraries
38,881
39,752
36,866
–7.3%
Online, HQ & Housebound loans
128,996
130,413
135,562
3.9%
Total
2,142,863
2,068,006
1,960,415
–5.2%
* The reduction in book issues follows a general national trend 1
Due to increased levels of cinema programming and several runs of popular films inc Happy Lands, Les Miserables and in particular Brave
2
Due to the reopening of Lochgelly Centre
3
Due to a change in recording methods
4
Partly due to a large reduction in use of Rothes Halls by Fife Council Departments
5
Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery closed all year
6
St Monan’s Windmill no longer staffed – these figures from Doors Open Day
7
Visitor numbers in 2011–12 were higher than average; also visitor numbers weather affected in 2012–13
8
MAC was off the road for 3 months to install its new Exhibition Kingdom of If
9
Kirkcaldy Galleries opening 7th June 2013; the first 4 month trading shows over 65,000 visitors, which would easily cancel out this deficit
10
Inverkeithing 12% drop on 2011 – 12
11
This rise is due to the increase of business at the Lochgelly Centre Library in comparison with its previous location
12
Methil Library 30% reduction on 2011–12; Buckhaven closed 19/12/12 to 11/4/13 for refurbishment
13
Kirkcaldy Library in temporary (smaller) premises all year. While a successful venture, the service was necessarily curtailed to some extent
NOTES
1
2
5
6
9
10
11
Fife Cultural Trust
Highlights of Our First Year Click here to view
Supported by:
Core Funder
Key Funder
Fife Cultural Trust additionally acknowledges the following funders and partners for their support in 2012/13: Fife Heath and Wellbeing Alliance, Education Scotland, MĂźller Wiseman Dairies, NHS Fife, Shell UK, Fife Young Carers, Puppet Animation Scotland, National Theatre of Scotland, Citizens Theatre TAG, Fife Council Education Service, Jazz Scotland, Kirkcaldy 4 All, Dunfermline Delivers, Kinetic, Fife Council Creative Links, Fife Community Safety Partnership, Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. Contact: Head Office 16 East Fergus Place Kirkcaldy Fife KY1 1XT Fife Cultural Trust a Company limited by guarantee (incorporated in Scotland) Company Number: SC415704. A Scottish Charity: Charity Number SC043442 Registered Office: 16 East Fergus Place, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1XT