Agenda item

The Russell-Cotes has had a very strong 6 months in terms of visitor numbers (up 9%) and income from admissions and secondary spend (up 10%), despite 4 weeks of closure for MEND building works in January. This is due to popular exhibitions, a good Christmas offer, successful marketing and additional press coverage as well as poor spring weather.  This represents the highest annual visitor figures (53,231) since charging was introduced and contrasts with national statistics which continue to show that most museums have still not recovered fully from Covid.

The resilience of the building to weather damage, vandalism and theft is compromised by the poor state of repair. Failure to complete  works fully or in a timely manner has reduced the capacity to manage this fragile building and puts it at ongoing risk. A new condition Survey outlines £3million of work required in the next 5 years, including £1.3million in the next 18 months.  An application for this work has been made to ACE MEND Round 4.

The Museum has had some success with funding from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Bournemouth Civic Society for garden investment, Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant and Art Fund for the purchase of collections items, and Art Fund ‘Going Places’ for a major museum exhibition partnership for 2025 -2030.

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.

Public Report 

The Russell-Cotes has had a very strong 6 months in terms of visitor numbers (up 9%) and income from admissions and secondary spend (up 10%), despite 4 weeks of closure for MEND building works in January. This is due to popular exhibitions, a good Christmas offer, successful marketing and additional press coverage as well as poor spring weather.  This represents the highest annual visitor figures (53,231) since charging was introduced and contrasts with national statistics which continue to show that most museums have still not recovered fully from Covid.

The resilience of the building to weather damage, vandalism and theft is compromised by the poor state of repair. Failure to complete  works fully or in a timely manner has reduced the capacity to manage this fragile building and puts it at ongoing risk. A new condition Survey outlines £3million of work required in the next 5 years, including £1.3million in the next 18 months.  An application for this work has been made to ACE MEND Round 4.

The Museum has had some success with funding from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Bournemouth Civic Society for garden investment, Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant and Art Fund for the purchase of collections items, and Art Fund ‘Going Places’ for a major museum exhibition partnership for 2025 -2030.

It was noted that the increase in the adult admission charge to £9.50 had not seemed to deter visitors.

The front gate was replaced and looks smart.

An audit of 127 items in the collection was conducted successfully, with all items being located.  A further collections audit was also successfully conducted as part of the financial audit process.

Fundraising was underway for the next exhibition ‘Artists in Purbeck’, which is costlier than usual.

The operation of the ‘lates’ programme was being reworked slightly and a charge applied as they were very successful but proving to be unsustainable in their current format.

Art Fund had introduced a network scheme ‘Going Places’ to create joint exhibitions for which the Russell-Cotes had successfully applied. Partnered with Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle and the Watts Gallery in Guildford, the plan was to cocurate a touring exhibition with young people which would travel  between the venues.  The museum would be able to tap into significant funding in this programme.

The Museum had some success with its marketing with good coverage in The Sun and Country Life in the same week. The museum had won the Tourism Business of the Year in the Bournemouth Business Awards and Silver for Small Visitor Attraction in the Dorset Tourism awards.

The museum had received £6,000 from neighbourhood CIL funding for the maintenance of the garden.  The fountain conservation has been completed and work is due to commence on the sculptures on the railings.  Bournemouth Civic Society have given funding for a children’s pavilion which was being designed but was subject to Listed Building and Planning consent.  It was proposed that the recent legacy from Julia Stallard would be allocated as match funding for a MEND Round 4 application.

Councillor Farquhar passed on his thanks to staff at the museum following a recent visit.

RESOLVED that The Management Committee accepts the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum Update report for the period 1 October – 31 March 2024