Agenda item

- In the area of educational outreach, 425 pupils from 17 local primary and secondary schools were engaged, and 94 teachers participated in the programmes. Adult and community engagement reached a total of 703 individuals through a diverse range of activities.

- As part of community support, 228 tickets—valued at approximately £6,840— were donated to local groups and the Young Creatives Network. A three-day Youth Theatre Takeover at the youth centre included key events such as the performing arts school’s end-of-year performance, the Young Actions Company’s final production, and the pilot programme, Palace Uncovered. These events had a significant impact, featuring 140 young performers and attracting 170 visitors, many of whom were new to the venue.

- The programme included a wide variety of productions such as Scenes for 15 Actors in the Time of War, View from the Top (a devised performance), Reworked Macbeth (immersive theatre), and Palace Uncovered, which explored historical themes. Collaborative efforts involved institutions such as the University of Huddersfield, Manchester Metropolitan University, the London Archive Museum of Mental Health, Wakefield, and Flinders Museum. The programme focused on historical reflections around public health and refugee communities, specifically involving secondary students in performing arts and history.

- The Palace Uncovered initiative was designed to inspire creative responses to historical stimuli—such as photographs, personal testimonies, and found objects. In the Little Stars programme, 26 children and young people took part, supported by 70 parents, guardians, and guests.

- During the London Festival of Architecture in June 2025, place-specific activities spotlighted the Palace’s architectural heritage. The festival was delivered in partnership with Haringey Council’s placemaking team. Although the Adres World Festival’s main launch was held at Bruce Castle, Alexandra Palace hosted a preliminary event in May, and the space was beautifully decorated by the team, who were warmly thanked for their work.

- In heritage conservation, Alexandra Palace invested in hiring two full-time brick masons to carry out specialist masonry repairs. Staff were also supported through training and apprenticeships to develop into more tailored conservation roles, which strengthened internal mobility and reduced dependence on external contractors. Restoration efforts used traditional techniques—including lime mortars, hand tools, and sensitive detailing—to align with national conservation standards and preserve the Palace’s original craftsmanship.

- Plans focused on repairing features such as long heads and cornices, many of which required specialist attention. A sustainable and cost-effective approach was adopted, enhancing internal expertise and ensuring continuity of care. One highlight was the Windsor Park Lighting Project, which enhanced visibility and safety across the site by restoring original-style Windsor lamps equipped with energy-efficient LED technology. This balanced heritage aesthetics with functionality, helping visitors safely navigate the grounds after dark.

- The conservation management plan, based on a previous framework, focused on identifying critical priorities across the site. It fed directly into the strategic plan and was shaped around four pillars: community, conservation, climate, and a fourth pillar still under review. The plan offered a practical roadmap for preserving the building. In terms of lime mortar, the level of deterioration varied across the site, and the restoration was to proceed incrementally to ensure high-quality results.

- On fundraising, a review commissioned in November 2022 identified challenges in attracting charitable support, which were highlighted in the strategic risk register. A head of development was appointed in June 2023, followed by renewed engagement with existing supporters in autumn 2024. A new giving strategy was launched to welcome contributions at all levels, with early donations received. The strategy focused on expanding support from trusts, foundations, and statutory bodies, and embraced the "Give what you can" ethos.

- New regular giving and patron schemes were introduced, including soft launches for Ally Pally Patrons and preparations for launching Ally Pally Page 3 Supporters in autumn 2025. Dedication and legacy giving opportunities were relaunched, featuring voluntary donation options and increased promotion of legacy contributions.

- Upcoming steps included the full public launch of these programmes in autumn and winter 2025, alongside promotional campaigns for dedication and legacy giving, with further initiatives scheduled into 2026. The Palace aimed to develop additional dedication options and broaden community involvement.

Recommendations:

Delegation was approved to Emma Dagnes (CEO of APP) to conclude the process was approved.

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