Agenda item

This report provides an update on the activities of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum from 1 April – 31 September 2022.

Visitor numbers and performance have returned to pre-Covid levels with strong income levels in admissions, shop and café. 

The Museum has embarked on the MEND programme to replace Mechanical and Engineering services and to refurbish the Conservatory.  Additional applications have been made for grant funding to support further work on the fabric of the building.

In the Centenary year, there has been a focus on improved programming with children’s activity days and late night openings encouraging audiences to return.  Our Sixpence days have brought in very significant numbers and enabled access for all.

A very strong exhibition programme has been developed for the next year with ‘Telling Tales: the Story of Victorian Narrative Art’ in partnership with Southampton City Art Gallery opening in October 2022. An exhibition on Bournemouth born, equestrian artist Lucy Kemp-Welch is being developed in association with the National Horse Racing Museum for Spring 2023.

Schools, universities and language schools have returned for formal learning sessions as well as group visits.

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.

This report provided an update on the activities of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum from 1 April – 31 September 2022.

It was advised that visitor numbers and performance had returned to pre-Covid levels with strong income levels in admissions, the shop and café. 

The Museum had embarked on the MEND programme to replace Mechanical and Engineering services and to refurbish the Conservatory.  Additional applications had been made for grant funding to support further work on the fabric of the building.

In the Centenary year, there had been a focus on improved programming with children’s activity days and late night openings encouraging audiences to return.  The Sixpence days brought in very significant numbers and enabled access for all.

A very strong exhibition programme had been developed for the next year with ‘Telling Tales: the Story of Victorian Narrative Art’ in partnership with Southampton City Art Gallery opening in October 2022. An exhibition on Bournemouth born, equestrian artist Lucy Kemp-Welch was being developed in association with the National Horse Racing Museum for Spring 2023.

Schools, universities and language schools had returned for formal learning sessions as well as group visits.

During recent heavy rain, water was coming in through seven separate locations in the building.  This is further aggravated by the fact that little building maintenance had been done recently.  The main entrance has to be closed during such times, as water comes down the main stairway.  Visitors during such times are forced to either use the lift or the metal staircase.  This increases stress on staffing as well.

The Committee was shown a presentation, detailing finances, which would be circulated after the meeting.

It was advised that income was strong, and salaries were on track.  Regarding overheads, the main challenges were for resources, with monthly invoices totalling £9000 for utilities.  Whilst efforts were being made to reduce utility costs, essential humidity maintenance costs, rather than heating, could not be avoided.  Therefore, this was an issue during the hot summer. 

In response to a question of identifying potential risks, if the necessary building maintenance was not completed in the next couple of years, it was advised that it may be unsafe to open the building to the public and the collection would be at significant risk. 

It was suggested that the membership should meet to produce an up to date risk register, and subsequent action plan.   

It was highlighted that currently, the Council’s budget had dictated a moratorium on spend.  Although BCP Council was in a better financial position than most local authorities, there would need to be further discussions before any spending was allocated. 

In response to a question about the success of this summer’s takings, it was explained that it was the result of a mixture of things, good visitor incentives, good weather and marketing.  £30k had been taken in merchandise sales for the summer exhibition alone.  There had been overseas and local visitors. 

The Committee recognised and gave their thanks for the very successful past six months and increase in income. 

RESOLVED that the Management Committee accepted the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum review report for the period 1 April – 31 September 2022 and agreed the actions suggested in the report.

Voting: Unanimous