folly's business model "pioneering"

 In a report by Susan J. Royce commissioned by the Turning Point Network and Arts Council England, folly has been cited as a pioneering example in the Visual Arts sector for its investment based business model.
 
The report "Business models in the visual arts: an investigation of organisational business models for the Turning Point Network and Arts Council England" looks into what needs to change in the ethos of a visual arts organisation in order for it to become stronger in the face of adversity, such as funding cuts. 
 
The report describes folly as following an Investment model, as opposed to the model more commonly found in visual arts organisations of the Programme model. The Investment model is a much more challenging path to take as it involves a lot more work for a lot less financial reward and backing, it invests in ideas and in people as opposed to a specific programme focussed budget. The organisations following the Investment model are praised for being adaptable and accepting that the ability to change is key to survival in the visual arts sector at the moment.
Other organisations following the same route as folly are: 
Watershed, Bow Arts Trust, Wysing, and BCA.
 
To read the whole report it can be found here:
 http://turningpointnetwork.squarespace.com/storage/Final_business_models_no_logo.pdf