1. art and entertainment

Annual
Report
2014
CREATIVE
EXPERIMENTAL
YOUTH
XIV
Courthouse
Youth Arts
Centre
Incorporated.
COURTHOUSE YOUTH ARTS
gratefully acknowledges that
Indigenous Australians were
the first people of this land.
We pay our respects to all
Indigenous people, past and
present, and we recognise
their continuing spiritual and
cultural connection to the land.
COURTHOUSE
YOUTH ARTS
60 Little Malop Street.
Geelong, VIC
P: 5224 2815
E: reception@courthouse.org.au
Open 9am–5pm,
Monday–Friday
ILF
#courthouseyoutharts
Contents
2014 Team
Board
General Manager
Jamie Smith
Chairperson
Stuart Monotti
Soraya Mobayad
(Resigned 18/11/14)
Acting General
Manager Jan–April
Stacey Baldwin
Deputy Chair
Trevor Maitland
Jane Corneby
(Resigned June 14)
Treasurer
Liam Drady
Cr. Jan Farrell
Artistic Director
Ross Mueller
Venue and Production
Manager
James Edwards
Marketing and
Development Coordinator
Chelsea Hatherall
Secretary
Jamie Smith (non-voting)
Duncan Esler (non-voting)
Mardi Janetzki
Page Three:
Contents.
Janine McLean
Vanessa Schernickau
Elise Potter (did not
seek re-election)
Morgan Connoley
Zachery Linford (Resigned
01/10/14)
Emma Merrigan
(resigned 17/03/14)
Lisa Barton (did not
seek re-election)
Page Four —— Chair Report
Page Five —— General Manager’s Report
Page Eight and Nine —— Design and Marketing Report
Page Ten and Eleven —— Branding Rationale
Page Twelve —— Engagement Report
Page Thirteen —— Venue Report
Page Fourteen to Seventeen —— Project Summary
Page Twenty and Twenty One —— Auditor's Report
Page Twenty Two to Thirty Seven —— Financial Report
Page Thirty Eight and Thirty Nine —— Treasurer's Report
Courthouse Youth Arts
Centre Incorporated.
Chair Report
Manager's Report
Page Five:
General
Manager’s
Report.
Page Four:
Chair Report.
My last report anticipated an exciting year
under the stewardship of our newly appointed
General Manager, Jamie Smith.
More importantly, our new organisational plan refocuses on youth
with the establishment of the Creative Collective. In what we believe
is a first in Australia, the board has funded six positions covering six
artistic fields. Appointed for one year, and working on a part-time
basis, the collective will drive our artistic output and provide invaluable
experience for young artists. Our aim is to attract sustainable
funding for these positions and develop the reputational standing of
the appointments as a sought after objective for young artists.
I conclude with my thanks and appreciation for the contributions
made by our staff, board members, funders and supporters and
urge you to spread the energy that has returned to the building!
Annual Report 2014
— Jamie Smith,
General Manager.
— Stuart Monotti,
Chair.
I’m delighted to report that 12 months on those
expectations have been more than exceeded. The board
accepted a new staffing plan and position descriptions
resulting in the appointment of five new employees at
the start of 2015. As one of our objectives is to provide
pathways into the Arts Industry, it was pleasing to see
Soraya Mobayad, who has come through the organisation
as a former member of the Artistic Advisory Panel and
the board, appointed as joint Creative Programming
Coordinator. We also took the opportunity to create a
new position for a Youth Engagement Coordinator to
broaden our reach and appeal to young people.
2014 was the year of change for Courthouse Arts.
The addition of the word “Youth” back into the title
of the company was only the beginning.
Our mission —— The purpose
of Courthouse Youth Arts
is to provide a platform
for young and emerging
artists to take creative
risk and to conceive
relevant and contemporary
programming in a creative
and inclusive environment.
The year commenced with a skeleton operations team who continued to
deliver a program based around the activity of the FReeZA Committee and
volunteers, Gallery exhibitions managed by Curator in Residence Courtney
Ward, and Theatre development programs from Artists in Residence.
I started with the Team at Courthouse Youth Arts in early April 2014.
This was a time of transition and evolution for the Company. After
stepping into the newly reviewed role of General Manager, time
was spent reflecting with the existing team, Board of Management,
key stakeholders and funders. It was clear that the current status and
structure of the company had room for improvement, as well as a
need for increased levels of participation by young people in the
programs that were on offer, and with the Company as a whole.
This time of reflection and assessment allowed for the team to identify
gaps in the Companyal structure, which lead to a clear path in recreating the Company. Obvious gaps and challenges were; a lack of
finance and administration management and support, the absence of
a qualified youth worker, and genuine engagement of young people.
The main area for focus will be on artistic content and programs that
are produced, and driven by young people and functional roles
for young people to work within a professional environment.
With the resource realignment, the challenges and gaps have become
the new company’s greatest strengths. The new look Courthouse Youth
Arts – CHYA, now boasts four new Coordinator roles, and the Creative
Collective – a youth internship program. The four Coordinator roles:
Creative Program Coordinator, Youth Engagement Coordinator, Venue
Operations Coordinator and Administration and Finance Coordinator.
These roles have been designed to maximise the resources and the
facility that Courthouse Youth Arts occupies. They are also there to
support and realise the artistic vision of the Creative Collective.
Courthouse Youth Arts
Centre Incorporated.
ORGANISATIONAL
STRUCTURE
General Public
Arts Community
CHYA
Creative Collective
•Visual Arts
•Dance
•Indigenous Culture
•New Media
•Theatre
•Writing
Creative Program
Development Team
•Creative Programming
Coordinators
•Youth Engagement
Coordinator
•Design and Marketing
FReeZA Committee
Administration and
Operations Team
•Administration
and Finance Coordinator
•Venue Operations Coordinator
Casual Staff / Volunteers
General Manager
Design and Marketing Report
Page Eight:
Design and
Marketing
Report.
Design and Marketing Report
Rebrand
— Riley McDonald,
Graphic Designer.
Throughout 2014, the promotion of events and
workshops facilitated by Courthouse Youth Arts was
predominantly driven by an active social media presence
via Facebook and Instagram, and complimented by regular
printed advertisements in local magazine, Forté.
Event-specific printed collateral was also trialled
at various events, such as postcards, badges,
stickers, and other elements. However, they
proved to be inefficient promotional tools.
During mid 2014, an analytical process was initiated by Marketing
Coordinator, Chelsea Hatherall, and finalised by Jamie Smith and
myself. This process was intended to provide a clear analysis of the
brandings relevance and accuracy in respect to the Company's intended
demographic. It was decided that the logomark inaccurately represented
the Companys core values — respecting creative freedom, and individuality
— and was technically difficult to work with due to its aspect ratio and size
limitations. The main key points that the new brand had to address was
the incorporation of the buildings heritage, a new sense of professionalism
and maturity, ease of use, and to symbolically reflect the collaborative
nature between the staff and the creative young people that they serve.
Courthouse Youth Arts strives to be honest, accepting,
supportive and inspirational. We value creativity above
all else, celebrating the experimental and spontaneous
processes that come with the development of a really great
idea. We seek to nurture the artistic mindset of Geelong’s
young people, in both conceptual and technical practice.
So what does work for us?
Below — A graphic representation of
the overall audience reach of every
Facebook post made during 2014.
Facebook —— The majority of Facebook posts made
during the year featured full colour images, and focused
on the experience offered by Courthouse ARTS, but with
a clear promotional motive present in the copy used.
Website —— While the Courthouse website may have
originally been a highly effective and well structured tool
for communicating with the audience, by 2014 it appeared
to have fallen subject to a lack of consistent maintenance.
This resulted in broken links, dated information, inconsistent
design, and a disorienting and inefficient user experience.
The redevelopment of the website, even on a temporary
basis, was a high priority during the rebranding phase.
† Audience comments taken from
Branding survey run from the 23rd of
February until the 1st of April, 2015.
The survey was available to the entirety
of our audience database. A total of
35 audience members engaged with
the survey, 23 via an email blast, 10
via Facebook, and 2 via the website.
The Logo —— The new logo is
the centre point of the brand,
and was predominantly inspired
by the Courthouse building
itself. It references the instantly
recognisable art-deco geometry
and colours from the Courthouse’s
façade, as well as typefaces of
the era. It has a timeless, structural
sensibility, focusing on simple forms.
The mark's square ratio makes
it easy to integrate into almost
any artwork, and can remain
recognisable at small sizes.
Annual Report 2014
Courthouse Youth Arts
Centre Incorporated.
What our audience
are saying about
the logo † ——
― “Contemporary”
― “Modern”
― “Very indie—I love it”
― “Love the word ‘Youth’
being included”
― “Curious to learn more”
― “Clean”
― “The building”
Engagement Report
Page Twelve:
Engagement
Report.
Page Thirteen:
Venue Report.
2014 saw moderate youth engagement levels through
the FReeZA program with nine attending members. This
year the FReeZA group independently hosted NYR (New
Years Revolution), Mother's Cake, the Push Start Battle of
the Bands Heat and proudly hosted The Push Start Battle of
the Bands Regional Finals, the latter was our most successful
independent event for the year — with a full house.
As well as keeping busy collaborating and
hosting independent events FReeZA engaged in nonaccredited Radio Training with 94.7FM The Pulse and
attended industry conferences with neighbouring
FReeZA group Queenscliff Music Festival Tour.
Moving forward in 2015 we hope to increase
our overall engagement through the newly
appointed position of a Youth Engagement
Coordinator for CHYA. We aim to achieve this
through providing young people opportunities
to influence the programs, events and workshops
we deliver. CHYA will be hosting a Youth Arts
Forum to gain the perspectives of young people
who show particular interest in the arts from the
Barwon South West Region, as well as actively
liaising with young people in schools, youth
organisations and on the streets of Geelong to
ensure our programs, workshops and events are
a reflection of the young people of Geelong.
Annual Report 2014
Courthouse ARTS Usage Statistics for 2014
Based on 1950 business hours per year:
Based on information
by James Edwards,
Venue and Productions
Manager
Based on information by
Chelsea Hatherall,
Marketing and Development
Coordinator
FReeZA has also reported
to have had great audience
engagement levels during
their collaborative events
with local community
festivals, Tranquillity
Fair, Pako Festa and
Geelong After Dark.
Venue Report
Meetings
and meetingstyle events
39%
Includes usage of
meeting rooms,
foyer and studio.
Additional
External Hirer
usage
12%
Spaces other
than the Gallery
and the Theatre.
Based on 1950 business and 960 after hours availability:
Theatre Usage
27%
for Shows,
Rehearsals,
Recitals and
presentations
Gallery
69%
Gallery launches
and 2–3 week
exhibitions
Courthouse Youth Arts
Centre Incorporated.
Project Summary
Project Summary
Page Fourteen:
Project Summary.
FReeZA Events
Organised by
Chelsea Hatherall
New Years
Revolution
Courthouse ARTS program
Open house
Mother's Cake
Queenscliff Music
Festival
Geelong After Dark
Battle of the Bands
Regional Final
The Lion’s Bride
Tranquillity Fair
Market
Blues Boot Camp
Radio Training
Workshops
Old Man Nanook
Me Oh My Market
Remix Readings
1–4
Pako Festa
Poppykettle
Kaleidoscope
School Days
Annual Report 2014
Courthouse Youth Arts
Centre Incorporated.
Project Summary
Project Summary
Wonderwall Gallery
Curated by Courtney Ward.
Bring to Light
Phantasm
Across the Universe
Luke Saliba, Ben Partridge,
Courtney Ward
Soraya Mobayad
/ Katie Bishop
Stephanie Garner
9th May
1st – 15th August
Mirror Mirror
Ayrlie Lane
3rd–16th April
22nd August
– 5th September
Salt Veins
Group exhibition
organised by Elise Carver
Response
Collaborations
17th January
Mike McClean
Blue Skies
and Jaded ladies
Courtney Ward
14th –29th November
14th – 28th February
Bright Futures
Newcomb Secondary
School Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Island students
Remembrance
1st – 11th October
Courtney Ward
Hands over ears
won't stop the voices
11th November
Joshua Maxwell De Hoog
12th – 26th September
Annual Report 2014
Courthouse Youth Arts
Centre Incorporated.
13th – 30th May
Quip while
You’re Ahead
Moluk, with responses
from various local artists
4th–20th July
Gutless
Casey Nicholls-Bull
25th October – 9th
November
Profile Piece
All contributing artists
throughout the year
9th–19th December
And now,
for the
Serious stuff.
Treasurer's Report
Treasurer's Report
Page Thirty Eight:
Treasurer's
Report.
— Liam Drady,
Treasurer.
2014 saw the beginning of the reinvigoration of
the Courthouse Youth Arts brand and the successful
introduction of a new organisational structure. Both of
these factors provide strong foundations for a positive
2015 and beyond. Despite this, 2014 was a financially
challenging year for Courthouse Youth Arts, recording a
deficit of $40,250. Much of this deficit can be attributed
to changeovers in key personnel throughout the year,
which ultimately led to less revenue being generated
and increased expenditure in some areas.
The most significant contributor to the deficit was a
reduction in total income from $564,339 to $530,550.
There were significantly less revenue generating programs
and performances in 2014 which led to a reduction in
project income of $43,413 from 2013, of which the
greatest movements were box office and workshop fees.
Venue hire was also $7,931 lower than 2013.
Despite the reduction in revenue generating programs,
total expenditure for 2014 of $570,800 was $13,570
more than 2013. Production expenses and marketing
expenses were both lower than 2013, however, personnel
and financial management expenses both increased.
Annual Report 2014
Personnel expenses represented the organisation’s
largest expense of $336,424, which was $20,085
higher than 2013. The increase can be attributed to
changeovers in staff throughout the year which saw the
necessary engagement of temporary and casual staff at
a higher than budgeted cost to fulfil key positions.
The increase in Financial Management of $16,251 can
be mostly attributed to the greater use of bookkeeping
services arising during periods of changeovers in
staffing. It should be noted that this service has now
been incorporated within the organisation’s employee
roles as a result of the staff restructure.
At 31 December 2014 the organisation had cash
and cash equivalents of $154,499 being a decrease
of $26,273 from 31 December 2013. The working
capital at 31 December 2014 was $159,174.
Despite the deficit in 2014, surpluses produced in
previous periods holds Courthouse Youth Arts in a sound
financial position. With careful financial management,
the organisation will record more positive results in
the future. Following the rebrand of the organisation
and restructure of staff roles, Courthouse Youth Arts is
well positioned to be able to generate more positive
results, and continue its focus of supporting and
developing youth art in the Geelong region.
Courthouse Youth Arts
Centre Incorporated.
Auditors Report
What section this is
What section this is
Annual Report 2014
Courthouse Youth Arts
Centre Incorporated.
Page TwentySeven:
The Chair Report.
By Stuart Monotti,
May 1st, 2014
What section this is
What section this is
Annual Report 2014
Courthouse Youth Arts
Centre Incorporated.
Page TwentySeven:
The Chair Report.
By Stuart Monotti,
May 1st, 2014
60 Little Malop Street.
Geelong, VIC 3220
P: 5224 2815
E: reception@
courthouse.org.au
COURTHOUSE YOUTH ARTS
Open 9am–5pm,
Monday–Friday
I
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#CHYAgeelong
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double you,
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dot,
courthouse,
dot org,
dot ay you.