Jersey Arts Centre Association: Annual Grant 2019

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A decision made on 15 March 2019

Decision Reference: MD-E-2019-0008
Decision Summary Title:	Jersey Arts Centre Association Annual Grant 2019		Date of Decision Summary:	4 February 2019
Decision Summary Author:	Strategic Policy Manager		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	2019 Grant Award to Jersey Arts Centre Association		Date of Written Report:	January 2019
Written Report Author:	Strategic Policy Manager		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Jersey Arts Centre Association – 2019 Annual Grant.
Decision(s): The Minister approved an Annual Grant not exceeding £449,800 to fund the cost of delivering the objectives contained within Jersey Arts Centre Association’s 2019 business plan.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Minister, having considered the Jersey Arts Centre Association’s past performance and business plan and noting that the services to be delivered under that business plan are in line with the States of Jersey’s strategic goals and objectives as well as its current cultural strategy, endorsed the business plan.
Resource Implications: The 2019 Annual Grant of up to £449,800 has been identified from within the Department’s 2019 budget. There are no further financial or manpower implications.
Action required: The Strategic Policy Manager is instructed to arrange for the 2019 Annual Grant schedules to be finalised and signed. Officers are further instructed to monitor delivery of the award and to take remedial action as appropriate through the course of the year.
Signature: Senator L J Farnham		Position: Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture
Date Signed:		Date of Decision:

Jersey Arts Centre Association: Annual Grant 2019

2019 Report - Grant Award to Jersey Art Centre

Context

The Jersey Arts Centre Association (formerly the Jersey Arts Council) (JAC) was incorporated as an Association under the Loi (1862) sur les téneures en fidéicommis et l'Incorporation d'Associations. A principal object of the JAC was to establish an Arts Centre in Jersey.

The JAC secured a 99-year lease on premises owned by the States in Phillips Street, St Helier, and raised funds from private sources to build a theatre and gallery complex on to the adjoining (former catering school) building which now houses an office, toilets and activity rooms. The JAC raised approximately 2/3’s of the capital cost of the development, the States contributing the remaining 1/3.

Following the creation, by the States, of the Jersey Arts Trust (1992), what had been a broader island-wide cultural remit for the Association was narrowed to concentrate on the Arts Centre and its activities (some taking place outside the centre). The name of the organisation was changed at this point from Jersey Arts Council to JAC to reflect this.

Since the mid-1980s, the JAC has received a revenue grant from the States to contribute to the running costs of the Centre. It is responsible for maintenance of the building under the lease. The funding supports the activities of the JAC and specifically allows it to:

Provide public access to the Jersey Arts Centre throughout the year.
Provide a diverse programme of cultural performances and exhibitions promoted to residents and visitors.
Maintain the Jersey Arts Centre as a focus of cultural activity and social exchange.
Sustain partnerships with relevant bodies to contribute to alfresco programmes, including Island celebrations (e.g. Holocaust Memorial Day, Liberation Day).
Offer a programme of workshops and courses.
Make facilities available for hire to community arts groups.

The Department have now reviewed JAT’s performance for 2018 and 2019 business plan, as part of the Department’s compliance and governance framework. This includes ensuring alignment with the States of Jersey’s current cultural strategy and supports the States’ strategic goals and departmental objectives. The Department are satisfied with the information that has been provided and support the issuance of the grant.

The resource implication reflects the provision made within the current Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to agree to JAC’s grant as follows:

£449,800 as the revenue grant paid over four quarterly payments.