AIR GALLERY CIC

Company limited by guarantee

Company Registration Number:
13795875 (England and Wales)

Unaudited statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023

Period of accounts

Start date: 1 January 2023

End date: 31 December 2023

AIR GALLERY CIC

Contents of the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

Directors report
Profit and loss
Balance sheet
Additional notes
Community Interest Report

AIR GALLERY CIC

Directors' report period ended 31 December 2023

The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company for the period ended 31 December 2023

Principal activities of the company

AIR Gallery CIC is a contemporary arts organisation focused on showcasing emerging and early career artists, with a strong commitment to supporting the local arts community. Throughout the year, we organised 8 exhibitions, provided platforms for new artists, and increased public engagement through accompanying talks, tours, and workshops. Notably, we awarded cash prizes and solo exhibitions to graduate winners from the Manchester School of Art. We continued our Micro initiative, presenting six mini solo shows and hosted two online group exhibitions in our virtual gallery, AIR-VR, attracting over 3,000 visitors. Our annual Summer Show saw over 1,700 artworks submitted, marking our largest turnout to date. Our stakeholders include volunteers, artists, visitors, and local businesses. We have enhanced our volunteer programme by offering travel expenses, free meals, and workshops. Local partnerships with the Full Circle Funerals, Castlefield Gallery, Saul Hay, and Jacksons Arts provided vital funding and sponsorship, helping us sustain our exhibitions and community initiatives. Despite losing our physical venue in October 2023, we successfully transitioned to a virtual gallery for the remainder of the year, continuing to support artists and engage the community



Directors

The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from
1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023

Rebecca Wild
Alan Baker


The above report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions in part 15 of the Companies Act 2006

This report was approved by the board of directors on
13 September 2024

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: Rebecca Wild
Status: Director

AIR GALLERY CIC

Profit And Loss Account

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

2023 13 months to 31 December 2022


£

£
Turnover: 11,128 10,211
Cost of sales: ( 10,227 ) ( 10,456 )
Gross profit(or loss): 901 (245)
Operating profit(or loss): 901 (245)
Profit(or loss) before tax: 901 (245)
Profit(or loss) for the financial year: 901 (245)

AIR GALLERY CIC

Balance sheet

As at 31 December 2023

Notes 2023 13 months to 31 December 2022


£

£
Members' funds
Profit and loss account: 0 0
Total members' funds: 0 0

The notes form part of these financial statements

AIR GALLERY CIC

Balance sheet statements

For the year ending 31 December 2023 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

This report was approved by the board of directors on 13 September 2024
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: Rebecca Wild
Status: Director

The notes form part of these financial statements

AIR GALLERY CIC

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

  • 1. Accounting policies

    Basis of measurement and preparation

    These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 1A (Small Entities) of Financial Reporting Standard 102

AIR GALLERY CIC

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 December 2023

  • 2. Employees

    2023 13 months to 31 December 2022
    Average number of employees during the period 0 0

COMMUNITY INTEREST ANNUAL REPORT

AIR GALLERY CIC

Company Number: 13795875 (England and Wales)

Year Ending: 31 December 2023

Company activities and impact

AIR Gallery CIC is a contemporary arts organisation dedicated to showcasing the works of emerging and early career artists across the North West. In the financial year, we have made significant strides in supporting the local arts community, fostering creativity, and providing opportunities for artists and art lovers alike. Some key activities include: Enhancements to our volunteer programme: We've made further improvements to the volunteer experience by offering additional benefits such as travel expenses, free meals, and complimentary access to workshops and professional development support. These measures have increased volunteer engagement and retention, allowing more individuals to develop skills, gain hands-on experience in the arts sector, and contribute to their community. Our programme is designed to promote inclusivity, making participation more accessible to those from diverse backgrounds and improving social cohesion. Exhibitions and artist opportunities: Throughout the year, we organised 8 internal exhibitions, providing a platform for 166 artists from across the region to showcase their work. These exhibitions play a crucial role in giving emerging artists a voice, increasing their visibility, and boosting their careers. In addition to the exhibitions, we significantly increased public engagement by offering a range of accompanying events such as artist talks, guided tours, workshops, and panel discussions. These events encouraged deeper engagement with the artworks, allowed the public to interact directly with the artists, and fostered greater understanding of contemporary art. By providing educational and interactive elements alongside the exhibitions, we have broadened our audience and made the gallery experience more inclusive and enriching for the local community. This year, we also selected graduate winners from the Manchester School of Art as part of our commitment to supporting emerging talent. These graduates were awarded cash prizes and the opportunity to hold solo exhibitions at our gallery, giving them critical early career exposure and financial support. By investing in new graduates, we aim to foster the next generation of artists and help them take the first steps in their professional journey. Audience engagement: Our exhibitions attracted 1155 visitors during 2023, with many visitors rating their experience an average of 5 stars. This demonstrates the positive reception and impact our exhibitions have had, not just on the artists, but on the wider community by making contemporary art accessible and engaging for all. Collaboration with Pro-Create: We collaborated with the London-based group Pro-Create to host a Manchester-based arts trail. This unique project focused on supporting artist-parents, providing them with the opportunity to participate in a high-profile creative initiative while balancing their responsibilities. By focusing on underrepresented groups like artist-parents, we are helping break down barriers to participation in the arts. Workshops and educational outreach: We hosted 7 workshops throughout the year, with 138 attendees overall. These workshops were designed to offer hands-on creative learning experiences for people of all ages and abilities, with participants consistently providing excellent feedback, rating them 5 stars. By offering free or low-cost access to these events, we are helping to foster a more inclusive creative community and equipping individuals with new skills and knowledge. Annual Summer Show success: Our 2023 Summer Show saw over 1,700 artworks entered, marking our largest turnout to date. This has expanded our artist database and broadened our network, offering even more artists the chance to engage with the gallery. The growth of this event highlights our increasing reach and influence within the arts community. External exhibition opportunities: As part of our ongoing efforts to provide meaningful exposure for artists, we took the winners of our Summer Show to exhibit at the Manchester Contemporary Art Fair. Here, their work was seen by over 10,000 people, opening doors to further opportunities and recognition in the art world. Partnerships and sponsorships: This year, we secured sponsorships from key arts organisations including Jackson’s, Castlefield Gallery, and Saul Hay. These partnerships have provided critical support, enabling us to continue delivering high-quality exhibitions and events that benefit both artists and the community. Additional gallery initiatives: We continued our Micro initiative from last year, presenting six mini solo exhibitions by artists from across the UK. These shows explored diverse themes such as motherhood, migration, illness, and playing with perception. In addition, we hosted two group exhibitions in our virtual gallery, AIR-VR, which attracted over 3,000 visitors. Adapting to challenges: Despite losing our official venue in October 2023, we successfully transitioned to pop up exhibitions and a virtual gallery for the remainder of the year, continuing to provide opportunities for both artists and audiences to engage with contemporary art online. This adaptability highlights our resilience and commitment to supporting the arts community, regardless of external challenges.

Consultation with stakeholders

The company’s stakeholders include our volunteers, visitors, artists, and individuals who collaborate with us in exhibitions, workshops, and events. We also work closely with local businesses and sponsors who provide crucial support for our projects. One of the company directors is from the local community, and both directors bring valuable experience from working within the arts sector. Additionally, each director has personal experience with disability and mental health challenges, giving them unique insight into the positive impact the arts can have on individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. Their first-hand experience, along with years of volunteering and community work, has driven our commitment to making the arts accessible and inclusive. Our volunteers are typically young adults seeking experience in the creative sector to advance their careers. Many of them face challenges finding opportunities due to the lack of local options, and our organisation offers them valuable hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and mentorship. We work closely with each volunteer, providing one-to-one support to ensure they gain the most from their time with us. Their feedback is integral, and we gather insights and suggestions during our bi-monthly meetings, helping us continuously improve the volunteer programme. Feedback from our exhibition visitors remains overwhelmingly positive, with visitors regularly leaving comments in our feedback book. Each workshop also includes an evaluation form, and we continue to achieve an average rating of 5 stars. Public suggestions from these forms guide the development of future exhibitions and activities, ensuring that we remain responsive to the needs and interests of our community. Local businesses continue to provide vital support, with funding contributions from Full Circle Funerals, and sponsorship from Castlefield Gallery, Saul Hay, and Jacksons Arts for our Summer Show. These partnerships enable us to deliver high-quality programmes that benefit both artists and the wider public. This year, despite facing challenges with our venue, we have continued to build strong relationships with our stakeholders and adapt to new circumstances. As we moved to a virtual model in late 2023, our followers remained supportive, and we are exploring future opportunities to secure a new physical space.

Directors' remuneration

No remuneration was received

Transfer of assets

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration

This report was approved by the board of directors on
13 September 2024

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: Rebecca Wild
Status: Director