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THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CORNWALL
Cornwall
Full-time
Transforming Cornwall Museum

and Art Gallery

Project Lead  Brief  -  Draft

Project Ref:  H Z - 24 - 00163

Contents
1. Introduction  .................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Project Overview  .......................................................................................................................... 2

3. Project Lead Requirements

 ........................................................................................................ 3

4. Outputs/Deliverables

 ................................................................................................................... 4

5. Contract Management

 ................................................................................................................ 4

6. Key Skills and Experiences

 ........................................................................................................ 5

7. Methodology  .................................................................................................................................. 5

8. Procurement Process

 .................................................................................................................. 6

9. Contacts

 ......................................................................................................................................... 6

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1. Introduction
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery was founded by The Royal Institution of Cornwall in
1818 to promote excellence in science and art and to forward the world
industries that Cornwall was known for. Throughout more than 200 years The Royal
Institution  of Cornwall has established the museum, Courtney Library, and a
programme of exhibitions, events, and activities to further its original aim.

- leading

Our mission is to provide a welcoming, dynamic and lively cultural hub centred around
our collections, that inspires people to explore, thrive and have fun.

We are a charity that does not receive regular funding. We are grateful for the support
provided by grants from Arts Council England and Cornwall Council.

We are proud to say we are an Accredited Museum and uphold high standards of care
with all our collections.

1 Development Phase of

Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery is now looking to commission a
of the NHLF Stage
Gallery . The  Project Lead  will  oversee and manage the development project for the
museum , working closely with the Directors and project team
project proposal for the delivery phase application
collaboratively within the museum team, with external partners, contractors and
community representatives
generate income.

 to help  enhance the museum, engage more visitors and

. The post holder will work

Transforming Cornwall Museum and Art

 to d evelop a detailed

 Project Lead  as part

II listed building that forms part of

2. Project Overview
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery sits within a Grade
the significant 19 th century granite townscape, an architectural style distinctive to
Cornish towns. The rich collections comprise approximately 1 million objects across
diverse curatorial fields that together provide insight into the culture and identity of
Cornwall. It compr
ises archaeology, natural history, mineralogy, social history, fine
and decorative arts and historical archives. Highlights include; the signific
archaeological collections which chart the landscape and cultural development of
Cornwall from prehistory, the minerals which provide strong narratives of Cornish
mining; the fine art collection includes works by Cornish artists; world culture
collecti ons; the most significant UK Japanese collection outside London, extensive
photographic collection, and the library and archive which holds rare books and
manuscripts.

ant

Transforming Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery and the communities it serves to reimagine the
museum and its purpose.

is a collaborative project between

Over the past  5 years Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery has
programme of transformation which has included organisational change, significant
capital work securing the
refurbishment. We have established a new team of staff and volunteers who have

G rade II heritage building, and major exhibition

 been embarking on a

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 visitors. To achieve this, we need to create spaces that

introduced ways of working that connect with and empower more people. A new
activity programme has seen visitor numbers rise from 28,000 to over 40,000 and
school visits to 6,000 per year, but there is more to be done. This project addresses
the need for l ong - term sustainability, to provide a vibrant and creative space that
promotes learning and heritage engagement. Working with Counterculture on an NLHF
funded strategic review and audience development plan, we have identified a
potential audience of 60,000
are accessible and welcoming. Feedback from, and consultation with our communities
and partners, has indicated that we need to improve spaces and provide better access
for all. Our activity programm
e and exhibitions will make the galleries relevant to
today’s societal needs. We have the potential to create a sustainable and inclusive
space that promotes and celebrates heritage for Cornwall’s visitors and communities.
Transforming Cornwall Museum and
transformation and will secure the future of the Grade II listed Cornwall Museum and
Art Gallery. It will see the creation of essential infrastructure to support long
sustainability, protecting our unique and signifi
us to:

Art Gallery  is the final phase of our capital

cant heritage. This project will enable

- term

•  Upgrade spaces to provide a fully accessible and exciting heritage destination
•  Reduce our carbon footprint
•  Upgrade and make accessible our commercial areas
•  Build revenue and enhance the local visitor economy
•  Explore new ways of managing heritage by creating a high

- quality programme

of activities

•  Create exhibitions and events which will be fun and inspiring, promoting

thought and exploration of overlooked histories

•  Build strong partnerships with new and diverse audiences to display the ‘World

Cultures’ collection sensitively and honestly

•  Build skills and develop capacity by encouraging new talent through work

placements and new volunteering to develop a relevant and vibrant cultural
offer

Sustainability is at the heart of all the proposed development plans for the museum.
Building on the legacy of the past, this final stage of the transition will seek to employ
local businesses, will create an agile operating model with greater flexibility
to consultation, monitoring and evaluation, enable the museum to build participation
and engagement, and act as a hub within Cornwall’s capital city.

to respond

3 . Project Lead  Requirements
For the Development stage of this project, we require a

Project  specialist to:

•  With the Directors and project

officer , plan and lead the project within agreed

resources and in line with the requirements of external funding partners.
•  Manage the contracts with external designers, architects and contractors.
•  Act as the link between the external project team and museum team to deliver

the outcomes of the project.

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•  Work with the Directors and existing team to develop activity plans that support
the delivery of the project, ensuring the team have opportunities to feed into
the plans and are kept informed of the project.

•  Monitor and report on progress of projects to the RIC Directors, RIC Board

working group and funders.

•  Maintain project records

, e nsur ing  expenditure is controlled within approved

budgets relating to the transformation project.

•  Ensure ongoing evaluation of the project, with reference to specific outcomes

and outputs, producing reports as required.

•  Provide appropriate technical advice to inform the development and delivery of
the project, working with the Directors to ensure health and safety for visitors,
the team and contractors as appropriate.

•  Help inform the fundraising strategy to realise the full museum transformation

and contribute towards fundraising applications.

•  Act as external advocate and as an ambassador for the RIC and the

transformation project, supporting project consultation and managing relations
with key project stakeholders.

•  To be aware of the latest developments in heritage and provide appropriate

advice to inform the project.

•  Work with the museum team to develop the funding application and supporting
documentation for the delivery phase of the Transformation including drafting
specification and tender documentation for external contractors and advisors.

The  Project Lead  should follow the guidance issued
https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/good

 by National Heritage Lottery Fund

- practice - guidance/

Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery
information  is available.

 will work with you to ensure a broad spectrum of

4 . Outputs/Deliverables

1.  A start - up meeting with key staff.
2.   Agreement of working methods and methodologies.
3.   Quarterly reports for the Task and Finish Group.
4.   Quarterly presentations to the Museum staff team.
5.   Risk register maintained.
6.   Funding reports and financial monitoring.

5. Contract Management
The contract period will be 1 April to 28 February 2026

.

The budget for the Development Phase is £20,000
The contract will be with The Royal Institution of Cornwall.

inc  VAT  to include all expenses.

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Payment will be on receipt of
project .

 invoices,

 submitted throughout the

 delivery  of the

Your  initial c ontact  at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery
 bryony@cornwallmuseum.org
Director , Bryony Robins

 will be  with  Museum  Co -

6 . Key Skills and Experiences
We are interested in an individual committed to the values of our charity and willing to
place the community and visitors at the forefront of decision making.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

You will have a flexible approach with the ability to identify innovative
solutions to achieve the RIC’s ambitious plans.
You will be a creative problem solver, able to respond to complex and
changing situations by bringing new thinking and solutions.
You will enjoy working collaboratively within the RIC’s team of staff and
volunteers.
You will have excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire
stakeholders with the vision for the project, and to listen and respond to
consultation and feedback, and with experience of managing relationships
with funding bodies.
You will have strong communication skills with the ability to show strength
required when holding difficult conversations and managing external
contractors.
You will be highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects
(capital and revenue) and experience of capital regeneration in the cultural
sector. You will have an understanding of the complexities of multiple
of procurement processes.
project management and experience
You will have experience of successful budget management, monitoring
and an awareness of future spend to inform cash
- flow forecasts.
You will be self
manage workload, prioritising and managing time to achieve desired
outcomes.
You will be genuinely excited by the opportunity to
the RIC through our next phase of development that positions the museum
as a sector

- leading, nationally recognised organisation.

- motivated and have organisational skills and the ability to

-

help  the team that leads

7. Methodology
When tendering for this piece of work please specify the methodology that you will
employ, the inputs required from the
likely timescales.

Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery

 team and the

Proposals are welcomed from individuals or consultancies ideally with an
understanding of the heritage sector; a proven track record of working within funded
projects; and experience of
should contain the following information against which your bid will be judged:
Team/freelancer experience and track record with referees where
appropriate.
Top level approach and timeline.

capital regeneration in the cultural sector

2.

1.

. Your proposal

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3.
4.

Budget breakdown and payment schedule.
Confirmation of ability to complete the project within the published
timescale.

inc lude VAT  and  include  expenses

Costs should
will be working on the project, what their day rate is and how many days each member
of the team will be allocated to complete the work.

 and a breakdown of each person who

Commented [GU1]: Should we say excluding VAT - and
then we know that we have to add on 30% so that we're not
in a constant muddle?

taryn@cornwallmuseum.org

 by  midday

8 . Procurement Process
Proposals should be emailed to Taryn Harris
.
30 January 2026

9 . Contacts
Royal  Institution  of  Cornwall
25  River  Street,  Truro  Cornwall
T:  01872  272205

 TR1  2SJ

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