Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the activities of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum from December 2020 – September 2021 including the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Operating restrictions have impacted, with a reopening in December 2020 and then closure again from 31 December to May 2021, with the partial reopening of the shop and outside café in April.

This has had an inevitable impact on visitor numbers, income and activities.  However, visitor numbers have recovered gradually to reach pre-pandemic levels by August 2021 and income targets for admissions and secondary spend are being met currently.

Exhibitions, programming and engagement are coming back on track as restrictions lift. The new Century of British Art exhibition commemorating the centenary of the Bournemouth Arts Club (BAC) has opened. Plans are underway for a range of activities and events to mark the Russell-Cotes centenary in 2022.

The receipt of £226,000 from the Arts Council England (ACE) Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF) has supported the Museum due to the loss of visitor income which it needs for core funding. It has enabled significant investment into the financial sustainability of the Museum (outdoor catering, improved signage, new integrated till systems with online capability and marketing support) which has delivered demonstrable benefits already. 

It has also provided funding for the ongoing review of governance and the progress towards externalisation.  Notably it has supported professional and consultancy fees associated with developing the business model and understanding the liabilities around the building and exploring the complex legal position of the Museum’s governance with the Charity Commission.

The Museum has passed the Expression of Interest stage for the ACE Museum Estate and Development MEND Fund and with a very short time frame is applying for a significant contribution (£518,000) to improve the Museum’s fabric and services – notably the conservatory, water ingress issues, drainage and a new air handling system with match funding (£426,000) from BCP Council (subject to Council approval) and £30,000 from the Conservatory Fund. If successful, this capital project would commence in April 2022.

The Russell-Cotes is considering applying for National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status and funding in 2022 for the period 2023-27.

The Museum Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee were provided with an update on the activities of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum from December 2020 – September 2021 including the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Committee were advised that the MEND application to the Arts Council and match funding from BCP Council, totalling nearly a million pounds of funding, had been submitted on Monday 18 October.  A decision was expected in February 2022.  Planning permission was already being sought, and some other preliminary works had commenced, so work could be quickly progressed if funding should be granted. 

The National Portfolio Organisation application would be submitted, with an April 2022 deadline.  With the support of this Committee an application would be submitted.

The Committee was advised that different specialist had been enlisted to help progress building activities, including Philip Hughes Surveyors; Martin Thomas Associates, national heating specialists, who would be looking at the electrical needs; an expert from Arts Council England has conducted a survey and is offering advice.  Conservation accredited personnel were essential.   

RESOLVED that the Management Committee accepted the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum review report for the period 1 December 2020 – 31 September 2021 and agreed the actions suggested in the report.

Voting: Nem. Con.