October 2005 - September 2006
At the last AGM Paul Harper was re-elected as Chair, with Ros Daniels remaining as Vice-Chair and Rob Guest as Treasurer.
In October we appointed Carolyn Black as our Project Director. The Project Director is to have a strong curatorial role, contributing to the vision of the Trust, as well as having responsibility for delivering that vision. Carolyn came to the post at a crucial moment, with the REVEAL project already scheduled for early spring 2006. Katayoun Pasban Dowlatshahi was appointed as Fine Art Digital Media Research Fellow by the University of Gloucestershire, with a brief to work with the Trust and to contribute to REVEAL. In November Tabatha Andrews and Nathanial Rackowe were selected as lead artists on the project. In addition, Laura Daly was invited to make a piece of work for the project.REVEAL was an opportunity to develop new work based on Laura’s research during the 28 Days residencies that took place in spring 2005.
In realising the project the Trust were faced with a number of significant challenges. These included: managing public expectations based on Lightshift; setting up appropriate systems for ticketing, for controlling traffic, and ensuring the health and safety of people wandering about in the dark etc.; as well as the technical problems associated with using complex technologies in the Forest, at night. Carolyn negotiated a clear path through these potential difficulties, with considerable support from the Forestry Commission. In particular she was able to draw on the valuable experience and expertise of Phil Morton. As is often the case with projects on this scale, the logistics of making it happen can dominate, and so it can be a surprise when the focus is pulled back to the work of the artists. The artists had all worked with great sensitivity to respond to the particularity of the Forest and to the possibility of presenting work at night. The event took place over three nights in early April and attracted an enthusiastic audience. Careful planning meant that the event was smoothly and effectively managed. Through REVEAL, with the extremely useful support of Trustee, Dr. Andrew Stonyer, the Trust has begun to build a good working relationship with the University of Gloucestershire.
In August the Trust came together for an ‘away day’ to reflect on the roles and responsibilities of the Trustees, and to define the objectives for next 3 year period of activity. The vision outlined by the end of this day has informed a business plan, written by Carolyn, which, in turn has formed the basis of a fund raising strategy. In reviewing the structure of the organisation and addressing our development over the next 3 years the Trust aims to achieve the stability which is necessary for a sustainable future.
In formulating our vision we have been particularly keen to continue to increase local ownership, understanding of and participation in the Trust’s work and to realise the potential of the Trust and Trail as a catalyst for creativity and sustainable regeneration in the Forest of Dean.
Acknowledgements
The Trust could have achieved very little without the support of the Arts Council England which has allowed us to deliver our vision. We look forward to fulfilling their confidence in us and to their future funding and advice.
We are also indebted to the Forest of Dean District Council and the Gloucestershire Rural Renaissance Scheme both of which have provided the Trust with support, not least in the form of much needed injections of funding.
The support, both financial and in terms of leadership, given by Creative Partnerships has been vital in meeting our aspirations to become more clearly embedded in the Forest of Dean.
As ever we are greatly indebted to the Forestry Commission. There are some key individuals without whose work the Trust would have surely struggled, in particular the Forestry Team – especially Ron Jones - who work so hard on maintenance and artists installations. Phil Morton, who has recently joined the team in the Forest of Dean, has already proved invaluable to the trusts work.
This year we were able to draw on an enormous amount of good will and voluntary support in making REVEAL the success that it was. We would like to thank all of those people who gave their time and energy so generously.
The Trust prides itself on creating opportunities for artists, but we would like to thank all the artists who have contributed to the Trial, in particular those who worked on REVEAL for their hard work and commitment to the project.
Our Project Director, Carolyn Black, did a great piece of work in making REVEAL happen and has already had a significant impact on the Trust. We are grateful for all her work over the past year and look forward to continuing to working together with her.
Finally, a thank you to all the Trustees for their time and support throughout the year.
Paul Harper, October 2006