The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Charity's [governing document], the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
The objective and principal activity of the charitable company is to:
Advance the education of the public in the arts of theatre, dance, music, spoken word, film and/or other arts forms in and/or from Dumfries & Galloway and the furtherance thereof but not otherwise;
Promote and/or support the presentation to the public of works of theatre, dance, music, spoken word, film and/or other art forms which are of an objectively high class and standard; and,
Promote a network of community groups and arts bodies throughout Dumfries & Galloway with the same aims.
Like the great majority of other Scottish cultural organisations, 2024-2025 was dominated, almost to the exclusion of all else, by the preparation and submission of stage two applications to Creative Scotland’s multi years’ funding programme.
Originally, Creative Scotland’s decisions were to be announced towards the end of October. At the end of September applicants were informed that this would be delayed until the end of January 2025. This immediately created significant challenges for the planning of our annual Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival in May. Normally, we send our brochure to print at the beginning of the year. This, along with final confirmation of contracts with artists, companies and participating venues, as well as their schedules and logistical arrangements, could not be completed until we knew for certain that we would receive funding to deliver our plans.
We were – and are - pleased that our application was successful and we secured multi years funding for the period 2025 – 2028. Festival plans were hastily confirmed and we prepared for our 46th annual celebration of the performing arts throughout Dumfries & Galloway. With a much-truncated lead-in period for marketing and promotion, we achieved strong audience figures.
Having for the first time in our organisation’s history gained ongoing funding for our core operations we are in a significantly stronger and more sustainable position to plan ahead with confidence. Preparations for the organisation’s renaming and rebranding, out on hold until we heard the result of our Creative Scotland submission, have now been completed. While celebrating and maintaining the history and success of the past 46 years, we used this opportunity to refresh our mission, aims and objectives.
Working with people and in places throughout Dumfries & Galloway, through performance and participation our purpose is to create a thriving, sustainable future for the performing arts in the region that is accessible to all, that inspires, entertains and informs and is celebrated as an industry leader for Scottish rural performing arts development. We work regionwide; We provide access to multi performing arts; We collaborate with communities; We inspire across generations; We deliver ambitiously.
Through the theatre, music, dance, film, comedy and spoken word performances and participation we organise and promote, we connect audiences and participants throughout Dumfries & Galloway with local and national artists’ work, we stimulate meaningful community participation and engagement, and we celebrate the transformative power of the arts. Through our programmes and activities, we also support, nurture and help develop the creative quality, ambition, innovation and skills of performing arts practitioners who live and work in the region.
The Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2024 (https://youtu.be/qwVG7pPgSp8 - a one-minute promo). Scotland’s largest rural performing arts festival, we presented 39 events (26 in 2023) in 28 venues (14 in 2023) throughout the region, featuring 28 locally and nationally based companies, artists and technicians, who performed for 3,361 people, 88% of overall audience capacity (3,800), our highest percentage ever and an increase of 14% on 2023’s total. Additionally, we continued to improve our average attendance per event, from 49 in 2019, 58 in 2022, 72 in 2023, to 89 in 2024, selling out eight events during the festival. 95% of the people who completed our audience feedback forms rated the event they had seen very good (84%) or good (11%).
Through Performing Arts Live 2024-2025 we presented a rich and varied performing arts programme which comprised of 35 (seven more than initially planned) different performances, concerts, networking, training and creative development opportunities for 2,037 people across Dumfries & Galloway. Events ranged from Stranraer to Johnstonebridge, from Sanquhar to Kirkcudbright, and many points in between. The ages of our audiences and participants ranged from eight to 79 years of age.
This programme of work was delivered by our organisation’s four full and part time staff members, and 72 artists and companies, including: the National Theatre of Scotland; the Scottish Ensemble; and Wonder Fools, Braw Clan, Visible Fictions and Vanishing Point Theatre Companies. We provided professional development opportunities for 29 regionally based performing arts practitioners. 93% of audience members who completed our audience feedback forms rated the event they had seen or participated in, very good (77%) or good (16%).
- It was all brilliant, to be honest. Initially, I wasn't sure about the format or how it would work but it was fabulous... like a week-long meditation, shared with a kind collective of creatives (TIME & SPACE /Participant)
- Of all your plays that we have seen, this was the best. A great evening. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole production (DOROTHEE PULLNGER)
- The poetry was very powerful and beautiful, it really made me think about our relationship with and effect on the natural environment (GENEVIEVE CARVER / Spoken word)
- Outstanding, just amazing. Just perfection (KELTON HILL FAIR / Wonder Fools)
- Bloody marvellous, I hope you'll return one day. Cheers (SOUP & A STORY)
- He did a great job keeping the children busy and engaged all afternoon, with movement and games. The children really enjoyed the afternoon and came up with some really great stories. Some really creative, thoughtful ideas (TAWONA SITHOLE / Teacher's response)
- I enjoyed working in the group to make a story and show it to the others; It was really good. Some of the stories at the end were good. It was fun acting them out; Working like that was good. Made you think, but it was fun. The play about the oil drums was good (TAWONA SITHOLE / Pupils' responses)
- Yesterday evening Gavin, Louise, Josef and I went to a brilliant play at the Catstrand – it was funny, moving, very clever and made us all leave with a smile and food for thought about all sorts of things (UP / Visible Fictions Theatre)
- I enjoyed every minute. Action, music, story, costumes. Would go and see this every week if it could be possible; Brilliant show, well thought out. easy to understand, funny, children were engaged throughout, would definitely recommend and would watch again (DROOKIT! Braw Clan Theatre)
- A very positive experience for all involved, it is important for pupils to have the opportunity to see live performances. With a cost of living crisis, it is not always affordable for parents/carers to give their children that opportunity (CLUNK / Visible Fictions Theatre)
- What a great production! Thank you for bringing it to Kircudbright, we would never have seen it otherwise (JUNE / National Theatre of Scotland)
The organisation is in a sound financial position. Our period end accounts show that we continue to keep within our budget. Our accounting systems are robust, and spending is carefully monitored and controlled by our staff team, with greatly valued oversight and input through regular detailed discussions and review from the organisation's board of trustees.
The Charity started the year with Reserves brought forward of £204,590. Grants and other income received during the period came to £151,012 and there was expenditure of £312,033 resulting in a deficit of £161,021 in the period (8 months to 31.03.2024: surplus of £22,752) and Reserves to carry forward of £43,569.
The general fund represents the unrestricted funds arising from past operating results. The Board has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds should be equal to three months of our core running costs.
Principal funding sources
Our organisation’s main funding sources derive from Creative Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Holywood Trust, as well as a number of generous grants received from other charitable trusts and foundations. We are also grateful for the valuable financial support we receive from our members.
Risk management
The current principal risk faced by our organisation is a reduction in support from our principal funders. We mitigate this risk by seeking new and diverse sources of funds. A review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed is conducted on an ongoing basis by our staff team and reviewed quarterly by the trustees. Appropriate systems and procedures are in place to reduce risks faced by the charity and are re-evaluated annually to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 2nd June 1997. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which articulated the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up the members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 each. The company is registered as a Scottish charity with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Appointment of trustees
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles are known as members of the Board of Directors. In accordance with the Articles of Association one third of the Directors retire at the annual general meeting and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.
Trustee induction and training
The trustees keep the necessary skill requirements of Board Members under review. In the event that new members are required, individuals are approached to offer themselves for appointment to the Board and/or the organisation advertises in relevant and local national domains to ensure increased accessibility and diversity of the composition of the Board.
The overall duty of each member is to ensure that the charitable company operates in a manner which enables it to fulfil its objectives as efficiently as possible. In particular they should:
ensure that the company complies with its founding Articles, charity law and other relevant legislation
contribute actively to the board's role in giving clear strategic advice to the company, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance
safeguard the good name and values of the company
ensure the company's financial stability
appoint and monitor the performance of the Chief Executive Officer
Organisation
The Board meets regularly during the year and a manager is appointed to manage the day to day operations of the Company. At these meetings the Board agree the broad strategy and areas of activity for the company. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers the services specified and that key performance indicators are adhered to.
The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report on the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 16.
The Charity’s Trustees, who are also the directors of ArtsD&G for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investments (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations;
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
ArtsD&G is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is 28 Edinburgh Road, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries, DG1 1JQ.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's [governing document], the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the Charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Government grants
Subscriptions
Ticket sales
Business sponsorship
Event & Programme core costs
Cost of ticket sales
Venue hire
Technical services
Printing & publicity
PRS Licence
Insurance
Website costs
Other development costs
Rent
Administration
Telephone and Internet
Travel and entertainment
Equipment expensed
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Other pension costs comprise contributions to a defined contribution scheme which is operated for all qualifying employees.
The key management personnel comprise the chief executive of the charity. Remuneration of key management personnel was £41,867 in the year (period to 31.03.24 - £26,142).
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The People's Lottery (Young Start programme) provided funds to support Stage iT.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
The 10 Day Arts Festival held in May is funded by Dumfries and Galloway Council, Creative Scotland, Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company and the Hugh Fraser Foundation.
Arts Live is funded by Creative Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company. It aims to bring world class performing artists to the region, providing venues and financial guarantees for performances.
Up Yer Airts Programme is supported by Holywood Trust.
No members of the board of directors received any remuneration during the year. Travel and incidental costs totalling £60 in relation to attendance at meetings and events were paid to directors (2024: £nil). £118 was paid in relation to holding meetings of the board of directors (2024: £nil).
No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the current year or previous year.