HEREFORDSHIRE MUSEUM SERVICE
EXHIBITION POLICY
Herefordshire Museum Services has one large temporary exhibition space suitable for 2D and
3D works (Hereford Gallery) and one substantial space suitable for 2D works only (the stairwell
at Hereford Museum and Gallery)
The Community exhibition spaces are administered by the Community Learning Officer and are
the subject of separate procedures which can be obtained by calling 01432 383599.
The outward loan of items from the collection is governed by our loan policy.
The Exhibition Policy is guided by the following mission statements:
Herefordshire Museum Service Mission Statement
Herefordshire Museum Service will promote the care and understanding of the heritage of
Herefordshire’s communities and provide a cultural, educational and recreational resource for
local people and visitors.
Mission Statement for Access
Herefordshire Museum Service embraces the philosophy of access for all and will endeavour to
provide engaging, enjoyable and inspirational learning and recreational opportunities for local
people and visitors that are sympathetic to their specific access needs.
Hereford Museum and Gallery Exhibition Policy Aims
Hereford Museum and Gallery will offer a varied programme of three to five high quality
temporary exhibitions per annum, which will contribute to the city as a cultural centre both in
local and regional terms. It will exhibit fine and decorative art, historical artefacts and crafts, and
at the same time develop new audiences with a wide range of exhibitions on other cultural
themes, not necessarily restricted to art. In order to broaden access to the visual arts, we will
aim to provide stimulating interpretation for each exhibition.
The content and programme will be devised by the art gallery exhibitions panel, currently
consisting of:
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Collections and Archives Manager
Museum Team Leader
Design and Display Officer [post frozen]
Museum Collections Officer
Museum Assistant representing front-of-house team
An audience advocate – currently from The Friends of Herefordshire Museums and Arts
Additional members will be asked to participate in the selection from time to time at the
discretion of the panel.
Updated January 2015
We aim to:
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Create exhibitions that are enjoyable, inspirational and offer stimulating learning
opportunities.
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Engage visitors through innovative interpretation methods that help relate the exhibitions to
their lives.
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Produce exhibitions that encourage repeat visits by our existing audiences and develop new
audiences in line with the Herefordshire Council’s strategic objectives and policies. To offer
access to Herefordshire Museum Service’s reserve art collections, which currently do not
have a dedicated display space, and the other extensive service collections.
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To forge links with the Herefordshire community.
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To work in partnership with other bodies to contribute to the Council’s cultural strategy.
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Generate or commission exhibitions that include local artists as a way of supporting their
development.
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Work to best practice standards in conservation and security within the gallery environment.
Strategy to achieve aims
1.
The art gallery exhibitions panel to meet twice yearly in March and September to
assess applications from artists for the future exhibitions programme.
2.
The panel will select from exhibition proposals comprising slides, photographs and/or
other images and where possible from original examples. The work of each artist will
be evaluated according to the following selection criteria:
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Audience Appeal – attractiveness and relevance to a stated audience. We are a
family friendly venue with regular repeat visitors but we also wish to attract teenagers,
tourists, photographers, art specialists and to be accessible and relevant to the
general public.
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Quality – standard of work appropriate to the nature of the proposed exhibition.
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Cost to the venue – any potential cost implications for the gallery: e.g. additional
insurance, hire fee, transport costs.
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Income generating opportunity from sales of works and associated
merchandise, particularly high quality postcards and items under £5 in value
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Practicalities – consideration of any practical difficulties in hosting exhibition: extra
invigilation, access and installation issues relating to size and weight of work.
Links – any Herefordshire connections. Possible educational potential for workshops
(artist may or may not contribute). Possible links with current local and national
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Updated January 2015
events. Potential to include or seek inspiration from items from the museum’s
collections. Potential for partnership with other artists or local organisations.
3.
The selection panel may invite artists to apply to be added to the shortlist to
complement or complete a programme.
4.
6
Organise 3-5 temporary exhibitions when possible per year with a minimum duration of
weeks. These will normally consist of:
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One exhibition a year using the museum’s permanent collections
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One Summer Exhibition with appeal for tourists and families
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Exhibitions selected on their individual merits in relation to their appeal to specific
audiences that the service wishes to maintain or attract
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Exhibitions working in partnership with local organisations or members of the
community
The panel will commit to providing an exhibition slot for H.Art for 2012 on a partnership
basis, providing that a sub section of the selection panel forms part of the partner’s own
selection process, that this exhibition conforms to Herefordshire Museum Service’s
interpretation guidance and that the Design and Display Officer is included within the project
management processes.
5.
Plan exhibition programme at least two years in advance.
6. Create a display space for children and young people within the art gallery to display
art work created in response to the exhibitions and, when deemed appropriate by the
Herefordshire Museum Services staff, an activity area for children/families
7. Provide interpretation specifically designed for the target audience, and for the visually
impaired for example Braille text, audio guides and tactile images.
8. Evaluate how successful exhibitions have been, both in quality and quantity of visit, in
reaching targeted audiences.
9. Involve local organisations and societies
10. Produce high quality publicity material that is in line with our corporate branding
guidelines as well as out access policy guidelines on access for all.
The Museum and Gallery states that:
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Work delivered for exhibiting must be the same, or similar, to that chosen by the panel. The
panel reserves the right to withdraw any material unless the exhibitor has already confirmed
any changes with the Design and Display Officer.
Updated January 2015
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The primary intention of the museum and gallery is to provide a service to the public,
however, the sale of exhibits and supporting merchandise is also considered to be an
important part of its function. The museum and gallery currently operate the “Own Art”
scheme that allows the public to secure an interest free loan and staged payments for the
purchase of contemporary art and craft.
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In the event of sales during the exhibition, it is not expected that exhibits will be removed
until after the closing date. However an item may be removed in very exceptional
circumstances. We encourage the exhibitor, therefore, to provide one or two similar items to
replace any items thus removed from the exhibition.
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Any works sold during the exhibition including postcards, greetings cards, books etc., are
subject to a commission charge, currently 30% of the purchase price. Items such as
postcards will be sold at a standard price per show. Prices for other items should be
presented to the Herefordshire Museum Service’s team including the commission charge.
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Whilst the Art Gallery Exhibitions Panel will not shy away from exhibiting works of a
contentious nature, we reserve the right to exercise our discretion when choosing exhibits
that will be displayed in a public gallery, especially when exhibitions coincide with school
holidays.
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Artists are encouraged to include an audio transcription describing their work for the benefit
of visually impaired visitors. Tactile imaging, Braille text and audio guides can be created on
site-please discuss with Visitor Services Officer.
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The decision of the Art Gallery Exhibition Panel is final.
Updated January 2015