Agenda item

The Gallery Manager and Curator gave the Forum a summary of the Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) activity for 2025.  The theme for 2025 was ‘community and place’.  The aim was to strengthen ties with both the local and artistic communities through the following initiatives:

·        Encouraging emerging artists.

·        Collaborating with local artists and photographers.

·        Bringing renowned artists to a rural setting.

·        Continuing climate-focused exhibitions.

·        Embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and accessibility into programming and delivery.

The Gallery Manager and Curator explained that the current Arts Council England project grant funding of £29,000 to support delivery for 18 months was coming to an end in March 2026.  Just under £30,000 was being requested from the Arts Council to ensure the continuation and growth of the Youth Network and engagement programme that enriched the THG exhibition and wider programme.  The support would also enable the gallery to maintain its vital focus on key priorities such as:

·        Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

·        Addressing the climate emergency.

·        Supporting emerging artists.

·        Bringing renowned artists to the rural community.

The current Arts Council funding had seen the gallery interact with over 1,500 people across seven different locations and 50 different events, including schools workshops, community events and gallery workshops.

The Gallery Manager and Curator also outlined to the Forum THG achievements during 2025:

·        Refurbishment and refresh from January to March 2025.

·        Ashish Ghadiali exhibition – featured three high-profile films focusing on climate and racial justice.

·        James Ravilious – An English Eye – this solo exhibition achieved the highest visitor attendance in ten years (3,270), with 42% of the visitors new to the gallery.  It was the most viewed exhibition online, with 3,200 website visits to the home page (double the average).

·        THG Open 2025 – there were over 460 entries for this biennial exhibition, with 104 artists selected.  Sales increased by 50%, rising from £4,387.25 in 2023 to £6,582.46 in 2025.

·        CAMP (Contemporary Art Membership Platform) – an exciting and dynamic network of artists based in Devon and Cornwall.

·        Present Makers – a record-breaking 90 entries were received and 70 artists selected.

Engagement with the THG had been high with social media success and during the summer over 790 people visited THG’s offsite and gallery activities.  THG sold out of the five days of Summer Art Week activities for 11- to 17-year-olds.

Oh behalf of the Forum, the Chair thanked the Gallery Manager and Curator for her fascinating report and congratulated her on the success of the Gallery and increase in figures.

RECOMMENDED: that Cabinet note and support a funding bid to the Arts Council to support the Thelma Hulbert Gallery to:

·        Enrich the Exhibition Programme by delivering an ambitious engagement programme that benefits the wider East Devon community — including local schools and our expanding Youth Network.

·        Develop the Youth Network into a region-wide platform that extends beyond the gallery, engaging young people who may not otherwise have access to creative opportunities — such as those with school-related anxiety and young people leaving care.

·        Reframe opportunities for young people by introducing live projects and creative briefs designed to build skills, confidence, and pathways into the creative industries.

·        Expand internship opportunities through partnerships with Exeter College and support for care leavers.

·        Continue to focus on the climate emergency by developing Climate Conversations into a Climate Symposium – a day to carve out space and time to inspire creatives to protect and enhance the natural environment through their creative practice, share expertise and network in a participatory, supportive and solutions focused event of interactive workshops and talks.