Transforming Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery Project Lead Brief - Draft Project Ref: HZ-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 ......................................................................................................... 4 7. Methodology ............................................................................................................................ 5 8. Procurement Process ................................................................................................................ 5 9. Contacts ................................................................................................................................... 5 1 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-leading 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. 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. Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery is now looking to commission a Project Lead as part of the NHLF Stage 1 Development Phase of Transforming Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery. The Project Lead will oversee and manage the development project for the museum, working closely with the Directors and project team to develop a detailed project proposal for the delivery phase application. The post holder will work collaboratively within the museum team, with external partners, contractors and community representatives to help enhance the museum, engage more visitors and generate income. 2. Project Overview Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery sits within a Grade II listed building that forms part of the significant 19th 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 comprises archaeology, natural history, mineralogy, social history, fine and decorative arts and historical archives. Highlights include; the significant 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 collections; the most significant UK Japanese collection outside London, extensive photographic collection, and the library and archive which holds rare books and manuscripts. Transforming Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery is a collaborative project between Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery and the communities it serves to reimagine the museum and its purpose. Over the past 5 years Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery has been embarking on a programme of transformation which has included organisational change, significant capital work securing the Grade II heritage building, and major exhibition refurbishment. We have established a new team of staff and volunteers who have 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 long-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 2 development plan, we have identified a potential audience of 60,000 visitors. To achieve this, we need to create spaces that 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 programme 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 Art Gallery is the final phase of our capital 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-term sustainability, protecting our unique and significant heritage. This project will enable us to: • 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 respond to consultation, monitoring and evaluation, enable the museum to build participation and engagement, and act as a hub within Cornwall’s capital city. 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. • 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, ensuring 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. 3 • 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 by National Heritage Lottery Fund https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/good-practice-guidance/ Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery will work with you to ensure a broad spectrum of information is available. 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 inc VAT to include all expenses. The contract will be with The Royal Institution of Cornwall. Payment will be on receipt of invoices, submitted throughout the delivery of the project. Your initial contact at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery will be with Museum Co-Director, Bryony Robins bryony@cornwallmuseum.org 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. 4 • • • • • • • • 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-project management and experience of procurement processes. You will have experience of successful budget management, monitoring and an awareness of future spend to inform cash-flow forecasts. You will be self-motivated and have organisational skills and the ability to manage workload, prioritising and managing time to achieve desired outcomes. You will be genuinely excited by the opportunity to help the team that leads the RIC through our next phase of development that positions the museum as a sector-leading, nationally recognised organisation. 7. Methodology When tendering for this piece of work please specify the methodology that you will employ, the inputs required from the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery team and the likely timescales. 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 capital regeneration in the cultural sector. Your proposal should contain the following information against which your bid will be judged: 1. 2. 3. 4. Team/freelancer experience and track record with referees where appropriate. Top level approach and timeline. Budget breakdown and payment schedule. Confirmation of ability to complete the project within the published timescale. Costs should include VAT and include expenses and a breakdown of each person who 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. 8. Procurement Process Proposals should be emailed to Taryn Harris taryn@cornwallmuseum.org by midday 30 January 2026. 9. Contacts Royal Institution of Cornwall 25 River Street, Truro Cornwall TR1 2SJ T: 01872 272205 5