2013–2015
Innovation Centre
The idea of working with the University of Exeter (UoE) had first been explored in 1998 in a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, Sir Geoffrey Holland, when CCANW had hoped to be established at Poltimore; this confirmed the University’s interest in some form of partnership, particularly over summer schools.
In March 2012, when a move to the University was being considered, CCANW drew up a paper which provided evidence of its previous successful links to Higher Education institutions. Towards the end of 2012, when options were being explored in the eventuality of having to leave Haldon, an important discussion paper was produced CCANW and The University of Exeter: a convergence of interests.
The paper explored the opportunities of building a mutually advantageous, strategic partnership between CCANW and the University. The paper was prepared in advance of a meeting at ACESW on 16 November 2012 between Dom Jinks (UoE), Pippa Warin and Ceri Johnson (ACESW), Tristram Besterman and Clive Adams (CCANW). The main point of discussion was the idea of collaboration over a new gallery for the University on campus or in the City with a distinctive academic research approach that acted as a bridge-head between the arts and sciences, and which engaged local communities.
New Business Plan
Having moved to the Innovation Centre, in May 2013 ACE awarded us a grant of £9,500 over six months to devise a new business model in response to the move. The business plan was completed in September and reflected a move from CCANW being a direct provider to an agency practice.
A working group was set up to discuss the future management of CCANW, with the Innovation Centre providing advice from Fruit Tree consultants. As a result, it was decided to dissolve CCANW as a Charity and Company. All existing Trustees stood down and on 1 October 2013 we converted to a Community Interest Company (CIC) with new Directors Clive Adams and Robert Swinscow (aka Daro Montag). Richard Povall was appointed as a third Director of the CIC on 18 January 2016. The CIC was then converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in March 2016 after moving to Dartington. All three became the founding Directors of the CIO.
Daro Montag was an artist, lecturer and researcher at Falmouth University where he led the Research in Art, Nature and the Environment research group (RANE) and the MA Art and Environment course. His art practice was involved with environmental and ecological issues, particularly the inherent creativity of the organic world.
Richard Povall had previously run the MA Arts and Ecology course for its last two years at the now-defunct Dartington College of Arts and had a long professional history in the field of arts and ecology. He had previously been the Co-director of Aune Head Arts, a commissioning and producing organisation that worked with communities on Dartmoor and in other National Parks. He founded art.earth in 2016.
From the core staff at Haldon, Clive Adams (paid 1.5 days + unpaid 1.5 days a week) continued to direct the programme, with Gemma Baal (paid 2 days a week) providing management and financial support. Rolfe Mooney continued to provide technical support on a freelance basis. Gemma left in January 2015 and Kay Walker took over as Finance Officer for approximately a year.
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Engagement