Stephen Browning Associates & Finella Devitt
Stephen and Finella worked closely over a period of nine months with the Board and the new Chief Executive of the Civic in Barnsley, a mid-scale venue with a theatre which presents music, comedy, children’s work, drama and dance; a contemporary visual art gallery and a strong outreach and education programme. The Civic was also engaged in a large capital project providing a new entrance in the High Street, rehearsal space for artists, space to deliver workshops and courses, commercial offices, and a new café for visitors and audiences.
We were commissioned to develop a new 10 year Strategic and Business plan for the Trust, which recognised the impact of this capital project on the organisation and which responded firmly to the needs of the local community and the recent changes in the town centre.
The Strategic Plan was underpinned by an extensive audience research programme which we commissioned for the Trust. We also undertook an Organisational Review and made recommendations concerning the future staffing structure, with an improved focus on artistic programming, learning and outreach, marketing, fundraising and commercial development. We also implemented a Governance Review which made a series of recommendations concerning the recruitment of trustees, the enhanced monitoring of NPO plans, the development of a fundraising strategy, new standing committees, and the creation of a number of Advisory Groupsconsisting of both internal and external stakeholders, to support the delivery of key workstreams in the Strategic Plan such as Digital and Community Engagement.
The outcome of this work is that the Civic now has a new and more focused Senior Management Team and that the whole organisation has a comprehensive plan for the future; this renewed confidence and clarity is proving to be vitally important in the Civic’s funding discussions with Arts Council England and the local authority.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you. I have really enjoyed this journey and your help, support, counselling and everything else you have done for me personally and for the organisation. You have placed us exactly where we need to be to make the next step.”
Anthony Baker. Chief Executive. The Civic, Barnsley
