More in Common: in memory of Jo Cox exhibition - design commission

Background

People’s History Museum (PHM) is the national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future.  The museum provides opportunities for all people to learn about, be inspired by and get involved in ideas worth fighting for; ideas such as equality, social justice, co-operation, and a fair world for all.

PHM is currently exploring the theme of migration through a programme of exhibitions, events, activities and discussions.  The approach to the theme was developed in response to a series of public consultations which took place in early 2019.  The programme has been co-created with a Community Programme Team, made up of people whose lives have been shaped by migration, who have been working with the museum since summer 2019.

The exhibition / project

Inspired by the legacy of murdered MP Jo Cox (16 June 2016), PHM’s More in Common project involves a group of over 30 people from different backgrounds who made Manchester their home, coming together to share knowledge, experiences, and conversations.

Co-created by the project group, the interactive exhibition More in Common: in memory of Jo Cox allows online and onsite visitors to the museum to explore Jo’s life and legacy; featuring her Memorial Wall, on public display for the first time since it was erected outside parliament following Jo’s murder, and a new digital Wall of Hope where visitors can add their tributes and stories.  Visitors can also learn about the experiences of the More in Common project group, and their journey in celebrating diversity and challenging racism.

As we are forced into isolation, join us in carrying Jo’s banner of love, and championing her words, ‘We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us’.  Now more than ever, Britain needs to embrace, celebrate and find strength in its diversity.

The key objectives of the exhibition are:

• Document / showcase the process of PHM’s More in Common project
• Celebrate Jo Cox’s values and actions
• Inspire people through Jo Cox’s life
• Inspire people through PHM’s collection, content and ideas worth fighting for

The More in Common project and exhibition are part of CultureLabs, receiving funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

What we are looking for

PHM is looking for a designer or design studio with experience in exhibition and graphic design to develop a design concept which brings together all elements of the exhibition More in Common: in memory of Jo Cox.  The designer will be responsible for the design and the production of all wall based interpretation and smaller object labels.

The basic structure of the exhibition is fully developed and includes the following (see appendix for layout):

• Wall A: Introduction wall, including information, photographs and film about Jo Cox’s life and the context of the project
• Wall B: Information on the More in Common project and the groups involved it, including photos, text and materials from the group sessions
• Wall C: Display of the four More in Common groups’ creative responses to the More in Common theme.  Please note this element of the exhibition will not be complete until later in the exhibition’s run, though the design should reflect the ‘work in progress’ nature of the project and the wall should feel part of the exhibition even when there is nothing on display
• Wall D, E and F: Section covering tributes sent after Jo’s murder and information on Jo’s legacy, including a digital Wall of Hope memorial wall, cased objects, and other AV

In addition to the main wall based interpretation, labels for key objects on display in the exhibition are also required, which include:

• Commissioned artwork to acknowledge and introduce the More in Common project group participants
• Memorial Wall (see appendix for images)
• Cased object which are yet to be confirmed

The design and production of the exhibition, including materials used, should appeal to and be accessible to wide audience, including families.

Deliverables

The exhibition design will include development of a unifying concept which draws from the exhibition’s visual identity (see appendix for visual identity).  The work should include:

• Creation of a colour palette (with Pantone references)
• Accessible fonts to be used in headings, subheadings and main body text
• Design and production of all exhibition interpretation, wall based graphics and object labels
• Compatible design with online version of the exhibition (working with the online exhibition’s designer)

Budget

There is a maximum budget of £5,500 (exclusive of VAT) available for the delivery of this element of the project including design fees, production costs and expenses (design fee: £2,500 / production fee: £2,000 to £3,000).

Intellectual property rights

• PHM will require EITHER a perpetual assignment (or transfer) of copyright OR a perpetual exclusive licence to use the design including digital copies specifically for PHM’s purposes
• If copyright is assigned to PHM, a royalty-free, non-exclusive license will be granted to the supplier for demonstration purposes for clients/portfolio
• The supplier will be responsible for rights clearance of all content used that is owned by third parties, including documenting and recording these permissions in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and supplying this information to PHM
• PHM will be responsible for clearing copyright of content supplied from its collection

Key dates / schedule for tender

• Design commission brief distributed: Friday 12 February 2021
• Expressions of interest returned to CultureLabs Project Manager Abir Tobji by email to abir.tobji@phm.org.uk: Wednesday 24 February 2021
• Successful designer notified: Friday 26 February 2021
• Design sign off: Friday 26 March 2021
• Production and delivery: Friday 9 April 2021

Reflective of the community led nature of this project, the More in Common project steering group will be deeply involved in both the shortlisting of expressions of interest and the selection process for this commission, with support from PHM staff.

Expression of interest

If you would like to submit an expression of interest please return a PDF with the following information to PHM CultureLabs Project Manager Abir Tobji by email to abir.tobji@phm.org.uk by 5.00pm on Wednesday 24 February 2021:

• Full contact details
• Relevant examples from your portfolio
• A statement outlining your understanding of the brief and why you want to work on this project
• A propose timeline of development and delivery planned to meet the brief by the deadlines outlined above
• A rough breakdown of how the budget will be used

If you have any queries or would like to discuss this further, please contact Abir Tobji by email at abir.tobji@phm.org.uk.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.  We would particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of migration and those who are under-represented in the arts and culture sector.