Bradford Museums and Galleries
Exhibition Policy
2012 – 2016
Mission
To provide a high quality museums and galleries service that is responsive, inspiring and
challenging, for the enrichment of the lives of the citizens of Bradford and district, and to
enhance the profile of Bradford as a place to visit.
Introduction
Bradford Museums and Galleries will provide a lively and varied annual programme of
temporary exhibitions1 and displays2. The exhibition programme delivers on the Service’s
Forward Plan and supports the strategic aims of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
Purpose
The programme aims to :
 attract new and encourage repeat visits
 actively promote history and heritage of the district
 promote and encourage art innovation and participation
 support community engagement
 increase the understanding of and engagement with the collections of Bradford
Museums and Galleries
 enhance the quality and variety of the visitor experience
 raise the profile of Bradford Museums and Galleries Service
 reflect the cultural diversity of Bradford district
 to increase our own understanding of audiences
 celebrate the talent and creativity of the district
 provide opportunities to engage with artists and makers on contemporary and
historic themes
 enable the commissioning of new work by artists and makers
 develop new skills and knowledge for staff and visitors including teachers, students
and other education professionals.
Where applicable the programme will also:
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develop other outreach and educational activities.
positively encourage the submission of exhibition proposals from artists and
groups.
positively encourage the submission of exhibition proposals that work in
partnership with other museums and galleries, arts organisations and private
collectors.
support young and emerging artists and groups working within the district.
1
Temporary exhibitions - display curated from the permanent collections, or curated/brought in from an
external source, or a combination of both; designed for public viewing for a set period of time (usually 3-6
months).
2
Smaller scale themed temporary exhibits usually encompassing one or two museum cases
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work in partnership with guest curators, other venues and collections positively
encourage the submission of exhibition proposals that work in partnership with
other museums and galleries, arts organisations and private collectors.
provide opportunities to acquire new work and develop the Bradford collections in
line with the acquisitions and disposals policy.
support and work in partnerships with other departments, individuals, groups and
organisations in hosting, guiding and programming exhibitions.
contribute to the regeneration and economic development of the district
identify target audiences in line with the Council strategies.
extend our national and international partners
The exhibition programme delivers across the seven sites that make up the service;
Cartwright Hall Art Galley, Bradford 1 Gallery, Bolling Hall Museum, Bradford Industrial
Museum, Cliffe Castle Museum, Manor House Museum and Art Gallery and Bracken Hall
Countryside Centre. (Appendix 1 Summary of sites)
Programming
The exhibition programme is planned up to 3 years in advance, with exhibition
confirmation at least 12 months in advance.
The programme covers a broad range of subjects and allows for a combination of
internally curated, co-curated and externally hired /curated exhibitions.
Each site holds quarterly exhibition meetings to discuss and agree programming and
delivery. Meetings are chaired by the relevant area museum manager.
Consideration is taken of how national, local and major events may be celebrated by our
programme. (i.e.: WWI commemorations, Ilkley Literature Festival)
To ensure the programme is relevant, achievable and complimentary and that the widest
audience can be reached, consideration is also given to the Service’s events programme,
available staff and resources, environmental, security and insurance requirements.
The Service’s exhibition programme will include exhibitions and displays that are:
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focused on the heritage and rich cultural diversity of the Bradford District using
permanent collections held by Bradford Museums and Galleries
celebrating contemporary and historical art using the permanent collections held by
Bradford Museums and Galleries
community based/locally inspired arts exhibitions
national touring exhibitions
exhibitions by artists with national and international reputations
exhibitions by young and emerging artists
family-friendly exhibitions
exhibitions of traditional and /or contemporary craft.
led by the community
The programme is proactive and exhibitions may only be selected if they demonstrate
how they fulfil one or more of the objectives laid out in the Museums and Galleries
Forward Plan, namely;
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Collections and buildings are better cared for and more accessible
Collections and buildings are used more effectively
Excellence is thriving and celebrated
Exhibitions and activities are of a high standards and seek to inspire, educate and
challenge
Learning and skills are central to museum3 provision
People perceive museums as a place for the community and more people
experience and are inspired by museums
Museums are seen as welcoming, socially inclusive, recreational and safe spaces
Every child and young person has the opportunity to experience the richness of
museums
Museums are sustainable, resilient and innovative
The leadership and workforce are diverse and highly skilled
The maximum running time for a temporary exhibition is 6 months.
Entry to all exhibitions is currently free of charge. It is anticipated that some exhibitions,
including national touring shows may require us to levy an admission charge.
Proposals
Exhibition proposals must pay due regard to Bradford Museums and Galleries’ overall
objectives and be clear as to how their proposal meets this policy.
The exhibition meeting will consider proposals from all individuals and groups, both
internal and external.
Proposals should take the form of a paper or electronic document illustrated with
examples of the artists work/objects etc.
Proposals should not include original material, transparencies or slides as they cannot be
returned.
External Proposals must include a completed Temporary Exhibition proposal form
(Appendix 2)
Internal proposals must include a completed Temporary Exhibition proposal form
(Appendix 2)
All proposals will be considered against the criteria outlined in Bradford Museums and
Galleries Exhibition Policy.
External Applicants:
Bradford Museums and Galleries are happy to discuss exhibition ideas prior to
submission, however no commitment will be made during these discussions.
3
The term Museum used in the connect of this document incorporates Galleries
Bradford Museums and Galleries are happy to discuss ideas regarding public
programming for exhibitions (talks, lectures, family activities).
Bradford Museums and Galleries decision is final.
Parties who have submitted a proposal will be notified of the meetings decision with three
months of their submission.
Demand for exhibition spaces is high and will be competitive. Applicants may not be
successful, nor may it be possible to offer alternative dates to those originally outlined in
their application.
On acceptance external applicants will have to abide by Bradford Museums and Galleries
procedures and regulations.
Decision making
Bradford Museums & Galleries are commitment to external representation from Young
Ambassadors and Friends at exhibition planning meetings as well as representation from
the full staff team. These meetings are held for each venue 4 times a year and chaired by
the Area Museum Manager. Exhibition proposal forms (appendix 2) completed in full must
be submitted to the relevant Area Museum Manager prior to the meeting, including those
received from external applicants.
Proposed site programmes are tabled at an exhibition programming meeting held twice a
year and chaired by the Museums & Galleries Manager where the programme is agreed
and funding allocated.
The programme will be presented annually by the Museums and Galleries Manager to
Portfolio holder.
Bradford Museums and Galleries reserve the right to refuse work that may be deemed
controversial or offensive to visitors.
Audience
Exhibition planning must be informed by all available visitor research and profiles,
particularly the reports commissioned by &co.
Exhibitions on tour
Bradford Museums and Galleries touring exhibitions are a vital part of the Museum
Service remit, aiming to promote and increase the interest of the public in contemporary
artists, exhibitions and the various collections of Bradford Museums. Bradford's
exhibitions have toured extensively around the United Kingdom and some international
venues. Exhibitions are available for hire by venues throughout the United Kingdom and
internationally. We are keen to develop our network of touring partner venues.
Commercial activity
Bradford Museum and Galleries supports the sale from exhibitions on loan from artists
and commercial galleries, this should be agreed before the exhibition opens. BM&G will
take 30% commission from the sale of work, so the artist should take this into account
when submitting their prices, and can be calculated by (sale price x 10 ÷ 7). If there is
merchandise (ie: catalogues/postcards) to support the exhibition, prices and terms must
be discussed and agreed with the Business Co-ordinator before commencement of the
exhibition.
Review
This policy will be reviewed every 4 years. Next review: April 2016.
November 2012
Acknowledgement to Brent Museums and Archives for permission to use their policy to inform ours
Appendix 1
Summary of each site.
Bracken Hall
The museum has a small exhibition room which host exhibitions illustrating the natural
and history of the area. The exhibition programme aims to compliment that of its sister
sites at the Manor House and Cliffe Castle Museum providing a satellite venue for
exhibitions. The site aims to have two exhibitions annually
Bradford Industrial Museum
Located in a 19th centaury spinning mill the museum’s permanent galleries tell the story
of Bradford’s textile and social history. A temporary exhibition gallery hosts a programme
of exhibitions that aims to draw out themes from the permanent collections of social &
local history with a bias towards industry, science, technology, transport and work-life.
The site aims to have three exhibitions annually. Local interest group displays are held in
the reception area and small community generated exhibitions in the Community Display
Area on site. Local art and photographic groups and individuals can exhibit in the Café
Gallery.
Bradford 1 Gallery
Located within Bradford’s regenerated City Park, Bradford 1 Gallery is a contemporary
venue for high quality temporary exhibitions by both emerging and established artists.
The gallery also showcases, from time to time, elements of the fine art collection held by
Bradford Council. Exhibitions are also linked to national initiatives such as the Big Draw
and Ways of Looking Festival. The Studio is programmed with exhibitions and activities
throughout the year. The programming reflects both the young audience to the City as
well as the growing cultural tourists attracted to City Park. The site aims to have three to
four exhibitions annually
Bolling Hall Museum
Bolling Hall does not have exhibition galleries however aims to facilitate
opportunities for interventions to allow contemporary artists and makers to use the
collections as a source of inspiration for their practice and display.
Cartwright Hall Art Gallery
Cartwright Hall is Bradford's civic art gallery and offers an inspiring programme of
exhibitions, with four permanent galleries titled Connect: People, Place Imagination
displaying works from the permanent collections which consist mainly of 19th and 20th
century British painting and sculpture, with strong collections of international
contemporary prints and contemporary South Asian art and crafts. The Print Room
showcases the permanent print collection. The Sculpture Court acts as a showcase for
the permanent collections of fine art and sculpture with occasional displays on other
themes.
Two ground floor galleries are programmed to host high profile contemporary and
established artists/makers and exhibitions incorporating decorative art and those on a
cultural theme, while local artists have the opportunity to exhibit in the Cellar Gallery three
times a year and in the Bradford Open biennially.
Cliffe Castle Museum
The museum (which is set in a Victorian textile entrepreneur’s mansion within extensive
parkland), has a wide range of collections including fine and decorative art, local and
social history, natural science and archaeology. The exhibition programme for the site
aims to draw out themes from its permanent collections. It also aims to facilitate
opportunities for interventions to allow contemporary artists and makers to use the
collections as a source of inspiration for their practice and display. The site exhibition
programme also aims to celebrate high quality local art and craft practice.
Manor House Museum and Gallery
The museum (which is located in a medieval house on the site of Ilkley’s Roman Fort) has
permanent displays illustrating the social history and archeology of the town. This is
augmented by a first floor gallery which is used for temporary exhibitions. The exhibition
programme aims to celebrate the high quality of local community, art and craft practice
and a sense of place. It addresses this through four broad exhibition themes: Social
history, the work of local art clubs and societies, regional and national initiatives and craft.
The site aims to have three to four exhibitions annually. The summer exhibition usually
has a social history theme appropriate to the influx of summer visitors. It is presumed that
exhibitions will be drawn from or augmented by the museum’s permanent collections.
Appendix2