SOMERSET ART WORKS
We work with a wide range of arts and non-art partners, providing opportunities for artists to extend their professional practice, develop new audiences for the visual arts in Somerset and to engage communities that may have little contact with the arts.Through creative activities the arts can benefit a wide range of community needs, facilitating and promoting the value of creativity for all.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a small unrestricted deficit of £232 for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in total unrestricted reserves of £58,544. The trustees maintain a reserves policy targeting four to six months of operating costs, and the current unrestricted reserves of £58,544 are below the stated policy target of four to six months of expenditure. The charity is dependent on continued funding from sources such as Arts Council England and patrons to maintain its financial state.
What the accounts disclose
“Charitable activities 133,494”
“A General Reserve (four to six months operating costs to cover eventualities, such as short-term cash flow problems, sudden loss of funding)”
“During the year, JP Rata Ltd, a company owned by Jonathan Rata the charity's Honorary Treasurer, provided bookkeeping services to Somerset Art Works for which fees were paid on an arm's length basis of £6,368 (2024: £6,293). During the year, Fiona Campbell who is a director and trustee of Somerset Art Works, provided services, which have been included within Charitable activities - Project Expenses, for which fees were paid on an arm's length basis of £310 (2024: £250). Page 12” — page 14
“During the year, JP Rata Ltd, a company owned by Jonathan Rata the charity's Honorary Treasurer, provided bookkeeping services to Somerset Art Works for which fees were paid on an arm's length basis of £6,368 (2024: £6,293). During the year, Fiona Campbell who is a director and trustee of Somerset Art Works, provided services, which have been included within Charitable activities - Project Expenses, for which fees were paid on an arm's length basis of £310 (2024: £250). Page 12” — page 14
“During the year, JP Rata Ltd, a company owned by Jonathan Rata the charity's Honorary Treasurer, provided bookkeeping services to Somerset Art Works for which fees were paid on an arm's length basis of £6,368 (2024: £6,293). During the year, Fiona Campbell who is a director and trustee of Somerset Art Works, provided services, which have been included within Charitable activities - Project Expenses, for which fees were paid on an arm's length basis of £310 (2024: £250). Page 12” — page 14
“During the year, JP Rata Ltd, a company owned by Jonathan Rata the charity's Honorary Treasurer, provided bookkeeping services to Somerset Art Works for which fees were paid on an arm's length basis of £6,368 (2024: £6,293). During the year, Fiona Campbell who is a director and trustee of Somerset Art Works, provided services, which have been included within Charitable activities - Project Expenses, for which fees were paid on an arm's length basis of £310 (2024: £250). Page 12” — page 14
Trustees
- Andrew Ralston
- Bridget Sterling
- Dang Hoang Phong Nguyen
- Fiona Campbell
- Freeny Yianni
- JAN OLLIS
- Liza Bessant
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £187k | £187k |
| 31/03/2024 | £189k | £183k |
| 31/03/2023 | £214k | £210k |
| 31/03/2022 | £182k | £181k |
| 31/03/2021 | £115k | £123k |
Common questions
Is SOMERSET ART WORKS financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a small unrestricted deficit of £232 for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in total unrestricted reserves of £58,544. The trustees maintain a reserves policy targeting four to six months of operating costs, and the current unrestricted reserves of £58,544 are below the stated policy target of four to six months of expenditure. The charity is dependent on continued funding from sources such as Arts Council England and patrons to maintain its financial state. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds SOMERSET ART WORKS?
Funders whose own accounts filings name SOMERSET ART WORKS as a grant recipient include SOMERSET COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOMERSET COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £2k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 13/10/2022 | £92k | National Portfolio Organisations |
| UK government | 13/12/2021 | £92k | National Portfolio Organisations |
| Somerset Community Foundation | 06/05/2020 | £3k | COVID19 Remote art workshops to support vulnerable people with mental health issues |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 07/08/2019 | £10k | "Rocky Outcrops and Watery Caverns - A Mendip Story" |
| Somerset Community Foundation | 14/06/2019 | £2k | B-Wing |
| Somerset Community Foundation | 23/03/2018 | £750 | Lynford Park Youth Project ( working title) |