BA Membership Survey 2004

Summary of the results of the ba membership questionnaire 2004-5.


The BA membership survey was conducted to obtain direct feedback from members to inform the strategic development of the organisation, and some of the findings have had direct impact on current practices . It consisted of 51 questions in 6 parts.
Part one:         About you
Part Two:         Your membership of BA
Part Three:     Exhibitions and Events
Part Four:         Project Space and Additional Gallery Space
Part Five:         Studios and BA studios in Lee Bank
Part Six:         Conclusion
Each part is introduced by a short paragraph explaining the context within which the questions were being asked. At the end of each part is a space for comments, ensuring that if the questions are not seen to be directly relevant to the individual respondent, s/he can write their own views on the subject.
50 people responded out of a membership of 170.

Part 1: About You.
Most of ba artist members are doing one or more things in addition to ‘being an artist’ie  25% if artusts also work in one or other sector of education. Only 22% earn more than 50% of their income from the production of art, suggesting that in most cases art needs to be supplemented with other sources of income. Contemporary artists employ a range of artforms in professional practice – q.2 showed that 60% of artists employed more than one artform, most two or three. As one person said “creatives choose not to pigeon hole themselves, so we have a broad range of experience, including regeneration and renovation projects, constantly strive to learn new skills and expand into new markets and networks” Nonetheless a quarter of ba artists describe themselves as painters, but this is still linked in with other art forms, often print and illustration. The age profile of the membership caused some concern at the time it was first assessed 75% of members are over 35 years of age – only one member was between the age of 18-25.

Part Two:     Your membership of BA
Membership seems evenly spread under and over five years. One or two members commented they had been there from the beginning or the inception of BA. Perception of the original reasons for joining ba seem to be evenly spread between the top 2 obvious candidates of studios and shows, with shows just topping the list and the information sent out on awards, commissions. 60% of people joined because of word of mouth recommendations - These figures demonstrate how important word of mouth is to the organisation’s reputation, and whether or not it attracts new members. We can expect that the new web site, will lead to a greater number of contacts in the future. Members perception of their current  reason for staying a member  seem very similar to their original reasons for joining, with exhibitions just coming out on top and studios and mailout information coming equal second. People seem to have found that the social aspect of the organization is more valuable than they had originally  thought. 66% of people thought an exhiiting space was the single most important thing ba should do to improve its service to members. The singular role ba performs as a focal point for artists in the region is demonstrated by the fact that 60% of artists had no other affiliation to an arts organization. 90% found bna membership good or fair value, and 70% of people said they would pay more for membership – especially with improved services.

Part Three:     Exhibitions and Events
About 50% of members had never applied for inclusion in a show, and only 2 of these said it had been a political decision due to the organisation’s curatorial policy. Artists who have shown with ba cite the benefits as promotion, then profile and collaboration with others. 75% of people wanted ba to organise more shows – there was an even spread of wishes for more selling events, one-off and site specific shows. The comments thtat came back in response to whether artists had ever applied for other help with projects shows that there is  a need for some clarification of how ba can help artists develop their own curatorial projects. The single most popular development in this area was seen as more curated exhibitions, with talks followed by workshops. Comments suggest there is an interest in artists own discussion groups, to excite debate between members themselves.

Part Four:     Project Space and Additional Gallery Space
80% of respondents supported the need for a place which put member work at the centre of its programming policy, and 60% of people were willing to assis tthis enterprise in some way. Comments stressed the need for the gallery to have a central location- the situation must be ‘busy’ ‘easily accessible and visible to passing traffic’ and many encouraged the use of underdeveloped spaces. thought programming was the feature to stress3 members commented on the need for marketing and publicity ‘it’s not enough simply to have a space. Marketing is the key. People commented on the need for experimental work to be seen : ‘there is a need for a well equipped and flexible space for developmental work’; “ I would like the gallery to be able to show installations and experimental work rather than paintings/prints that have to be framed under glass etc”

Part Five:     Studios and BA studios in Lee Bank
82% of people said they had a studio workspace or office - 9  said they had nowhere to produce their art. 13 people were studio holders at Lee Bank;4 had studios in the Custard Factory.2 people said Digbeth.4 were based in Kings Heath and Moseley  2 in Selly Park (43) 2 in Edgbaston (6) Leaseholders time in ba studios ranged from 3 months to 15 years with an even spread wither side of 4 years. 80% of respondents said there was a need for more studio space in the city, 50% of these said they would pay between £50-75 per month rent. Most people said they would find the occasional use of a studio for a short term let useful – and suggested 3-6 months lease as the ideal duration. 66% of People thought young artists should get supported starter spaces – although a number of them went on to comment on the qualifications they would put on such support, ie ‘not free’. Many people thought the students would need to be selected carefully and their use of spaces monitored ie  ‘if selected and used and ‘with conditions’. Several other people went on to comment that ‘everyone needs support’ and that it shouldn’t just be the young or college kids only who get support. This was the section which elicited the biggest range of comments, many of wh ich were to do with economic regeneration by arts. From 10% of people came the complaint against the studio leasing policy of ba
- a similar number more positively suggested the organization should at least clarify this issue and review its current policy.

Part Six:         Conclusion
Of the 14 comments, there are several encouraging comments about BA:
BA has an important role to play – informing artists through newsletter, finding exhibition spaces and studios, and being a voice for the arts in the city’ ‘BA does a good job, but we need to raise the profile of city art and artists’ ‘In last year or so BA has raised its profile considerably, and I’m thrilled to have had opportunities to exhibit and develop with’ ‘ From where I stand I think BA is going from strength to strength and has a good reputation in the city. This needs to be broadened out nationally and internationally’ .“This is a good exercise. I believe we should be moving towards a broader profile for the visual arts/crafts in the city through to activities mentioned in this survey’
 
Some specific suggestions for BA:
’ Some form of forum for debate or to present new ideas or just to discuss art might be useful’There ought to be some way to co-ordinate where people want to help’ ‘workshops which might include help for less-abled`’

Comments on the broader situation:
’Lots of potential in Birmingham’ ‘Please more links with surrounding areas’ ( ‘ The opening of new private galleries is likely to increase awareness of visual arts in Birmingham. However, it would be good to have more exposure in these of Birmingham artists. The Ikon has apparently given up on this role, even though that was the reason for its creation. The only way to break the parochial mould is to be exposed on a wider stage’ .BA should encourage members to be more proactive in creating and funding their own opportunities. Artists should be setting the cultural agenda, not the government’

Thanks to all those who returned the questionnaire. Apologies it has taken so long to let you know the results. This is a summary of the feedback – a full summary of the document and results in detail can be seen on the website.





Executive Summary

Purpose of the Document
The intention of the Members Questionnaire 2004-5 was to produce a document that enabled ba to understand its membership’s current opinions and their perceived needs in key strategic areas. This questionnaire was designed to give ba the benefit of:
∑ Members feedback on current strategic development of the organization.
∑ Objective statistical information to support initiatives
∑ Fulfilled  promise in ACE plan 200?-? to consult members
∑ Means of extending dialogue with members .


Scope
The 50 questions were organized in 5 main areas. Each section had a brief introduction which also served to tell members of ba’s current policy in this area, and concluded with a space for comments at the end. The questionnaire was designed to:
∑ identify skills and artforms employed by artists, and work patterns
∑ assess perceptions of benefits of ba m/ship,
∑ hear opinions on exhibitions, venues and ba annual programme of events
∑ Patterns of studio use and location and views on support for younger artists



Context
The document was part of the ongoing organisational development of ba in pursuance of its Business Plan and Strategic Development, and sits in relation to:
∑ Opening the new ba experimental project space at Lee Bank House
∑ Creation of new LSC funded training agency Creative Alliance
∑ New partnerships and alliances in the visual arts
∑ The live operation of ba’s sophisticated Website
∑ Development of a range of members services
∑ Improved communication with members via forums and talks

Facts
High response rate suggests effectiveness of questionnaire – in all there were 50 responses – ie 33% of membership, and many people made comments. Artists comments showed degree of understanding of the organization from membership which can be built upon.





∑ Demonstrated the diversity of contemporary artists practice
∑ BA membership was seen as good value for money by over 90%
∑ Underlined the need for more artists studios in the city at affordable rates
∑ Demonstrated enthusiasm for more exhibition opportunities
∑ Encouraged ba ambition


Recommendations
∑ Ba should seek out more exhibition opportunities-
∑ Studio provision is still an issue – the search for more spaces goes on
∑ members events have value- more forum meetings and  Artists Talks
∑ a programme of guided support for new and emerging artists.
∑ Increase annual subscription – to £20 pa, but justify with improved services


In conclusion, the document helped to inform major organizational initiatives:
∑ Creative Alliance – the perceived need to support young artists and provide training in career development was supported by ba artists.
∑ Website Development – support for the development of initiatives ie a  place in on-site gallery for artists to submit their own images is clear
∑ Marketing Strategy – currently being developed to give greater unity to ba image is understood by artists as key to the organisation’s success
∑ BUILD – a national exhibition which will see ba exhibit on a national platform is the kind of ambitious initiative artists want the organization to take
∑ Members Services: research into what other artist groups offer members is being undertaken
∑ Another questionnaire? Ba might consider whether another questionnaire might be distributed to non-members, to widen the net of opinion, and to create dialogue with other studio groups as part of a membership drive in 2005/6.