A research and development charity that supported the cultural sector has entered voluntary liquidation after operating for 14 years.
The Audience Agency (TAA) was placed into liquidation on 10 September, with Simon Farr and Tom Bowes of FRP Advisory Trading Limited appointed joint liquidators.
The charity, which operated a network of consultants and researchers, said the decision follows “sustained financial pressures and extensive efforts to identify a viable way forward”.
“After exploring various options with the team, the board has concluded that the charity can no longer continue operating in its current form,” it said in a statement published last week.
Data filed with the Charity Commission shows that TAA received £2.65m in total income for the year ending 30 March 2024, a 22% decrease on the previous year, and employed 56 people.
TAA recorded a deficit of nearly £475,000, saying that 2024-25 would be the first year where it would operate with less than 10% of regular funding.
Its accounts show that some of the deficit “was due to the reduction of Arts Council funding but earned income for both consultancy and sales of products was also reduced”.
Model ‘not sustainable’ in current climate
The charity said: “We’re immensely proud of what TAA has achieved alongside its staff, trustees, clients, funders, partners and the wider cultural sector.
“Together, we’ve strengthened the evidence available to policymakers and funders, supported organisations to understand their communities, innovate and grow their audiences, and developed nationally significant datasets, research and digital infrastructure.
“Despite this impact, continuing to provide the full scope of our affordable and free services has proved impossible in the current financial climate.”
Chief executive Anne Torreggiani said: “After 14 years, I can’t pretend I’m not gutted that we’ve had to close the doors.
“TAA has been a champion and guide for cultural organisations who wanted to be more evidence-based, more tuned-in to their communities, more ready to adapt with them.
“We made these ways of working both accessible and expected: I hope we’ve raised the bar and left a lasting mark.”
She added that it is “sad that in the current climate, our model of sector support which brought together experienced experts in a lot of different disciplines to offer affordable and free support is just not sustainable”.
“But I’m so proud to leave behind a strong legacy of good practice and learning as a foundation for the future.”
