Orkney Creative Hub (OCH) sadly has to report that there has been some scaling back this year in the customer numbers. We suspect this is in part due to the high focus on the hosting of the Island Games which saw a major influx of visitors who were not focussed on the Arts & Crafts experience. Despite this we have continued to offer the full range of workshops from the daily workshops at For Arts Sake to the more specialist Saturday workshops which we run at both For Arts Sake and our Hatston Space. These workshops will be able to continue and develop next year with the recruitment of new talented staff who can explore the potential of our existing equipment. We are pleased to report that over 1000 places were filled in this year, albeit lower than last year. By offering these placements to folk aged from 8-80+ years old, at all skill levels, we honour our commitment to providing opportunities for the community to enhance their creative wellbeing The number of visitors has shown better resilience for the sales of arts and crafts pieces made by the talented local artists, which has increased by some 20% this year. We are supporting over 30 artists to enhance their income. The studio and apartment rentals that are available at For Arts Sake are now fully occupied by 2 artists which also produces a further income stream. The framing service has been very slow over the year as staffing ill health has limited the level at which we can offer the service . The facilities at Hatston have been an important part of the portfolio offering studio rental space for a further 5 artists artists now in residence, together with the Clarty Room as an activity space and the Textile Studio which features the opportunity to learn historic textile skills, retaining and developing the knowledge and skills within the community The Textile Studio has had a change of focus supporting regular weekly and monthly workshops to allow folk to learn a range of textile skills at their own pace as a time that suits them, extending from the loom and tapestry weaving to bobbin lace and spinning. We continue to offer a loom rental service where folk can hire a loom to work on their own project in their own time. This has been a useful adjunct to the studio spaces for folk who wish to develop their skills further outwith the formal teaching sessions. OCH continues to support 7 local folk by providing staff roles with permanent positions, together with a number of visiting tutors who are also practising artists and makers. Board members have continued to contribute significant number of volunteer hours to a total of over 800 hours

Consultation with the key stakeholders has continued from the model used previously. Informal conversations with shop customers and workshop attendees have been instrumental in the continued review and development of new stock ranges and the special offers that are put on each month through the shop. The local artists and workshop attendees have helped to decide the programme of events on offer in our specialist workshops, extending the range of skills and opportunities available. The recruitment of new staff has brought in new skills and talents that we have been able to offer to the community through our workshops. Participation in the local Third Sector Working Group have allowed us to reach with wider stakeholders to explore mutual opportunities and developments. Continued attendance on the UHI Orkney Art & Design Steering Group has confirmed our support for the local Art & Design students

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No transfer of assets other than for full consideration