Suzanne Golden
Backlit, Nottingham
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Backlit is an internationally renowned public gallery and studio space serving the artistic community in Nottingham. As a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funded by Arts Council England it has a distinctive mission to provide meaningful, experiential work that prioritises mental health, diversity, digital innovation, and environmental sustainability. Like many arts organisations it faces unique challenges in balancing its artistic vision with financial sustainability.
When Suzanne Golden, Director of Backlit, engaged with Get Ready for Business Growth in early 2023, the organisation was in the midst of reshaping its business model to align with its long-term vision.
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​Strategy was high on Suzanne’s list of priorities when engaging with the British Library, and she entered the Get Ready for Business Growth programme with a list of key focus areas already in mind. She was initially attracted by the credibility that came from association with the British Library brand and the possibility to access the National Network of BIPCs via the programme. Personalised and thoughtful communication from the British Library team made Suzanne feel supported from the start, confirming that she had made the correct decision.
"We had identified key areas for development within the gallery - mental health, digital, diversity, and environmental sustainability - and created a business model that would help us continue growing in these areas. The British Library programme came at just the right time to help us work through that."
As a not-for-profit organisation with a mission focused on experiential art, Suzanne found herself in a cohort where the primary goal for others was revenue generation. She turned this potential barrier into an opportunity by taking a view of the current situation through a very different lens.
"The one-to-ones were really helpful because they were more tailored. Although I had to explain our business model and our different definition of success, it was great to have that space to discuss our unique goals and challenges."
The Finance stream led by the Friendly CFO was of particular value to Suzanne as it was tightly tailored to her business model and focussed on fundraising, an aspect key to the gallery’s continued success. Another standout session was the Strategy workshop, which helped Suzanne prepare a Business Model Canvas and think through key aspects of Backlit’s operations. This was complemented by a session on Product and Service Innovation with Goldsmiths University.
"The MIRO board session with Goldsmiths was fantastic. Having that visual narrative helped me so much in processing the ideas, particularly as I’m neurodivergent. It was one of the most helpful sessions in terms of understanding our service and product innovation."
Being connected to the British Library not only brought the credibility but also helped Backlit forge new partnerships and expand their network. The association with a prestigious organisation has opened doors and added an extra layer of recognition to their work.
Moreover the programme provided Suzanne with something even more crucial - time to step back, reflect, and think strategically about the future of Backlit. With the demands of day-to-day operations, she often found it difficult to carve out space for reflection, and the programme gave her the opportunity to raise her sights and consider broader perspectives.