Spode Museum Trust (SMT) is looking to appoint suitably qualified consultants to carry out work relating to the Spode collection and Spode Works site, as part of its project 'Spode Museum Trust: From clay to treasure'.
Spode was a world-renowned pottery that produced iconic bone china in Stoke-on-Trent from 1767 until the factory’s closure in 2008. Caring for the Spode collection – a fantastic archive of design – is the passion of SMT. However the bulk of the collection is off-site and inaccessible.
SMT, with a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and in partnership with the National Trust, is hoping to identify a future for the collection within the historic factory buildings which allows better conservation and access, delivers greater public benefit, and is sustainable.
The project consists of five separate, but interlinked work packages. Three of these work packages are now live:
1. Conservation and Curatorial
Conservation and curatorial expertise will help establish the relevant significance of the collection and provide a snapshot of its needs, with a view to informing options for its future conservation and management
2. Options Appraisal
The consultant will build a picture of the current visitor profile and experience, potential audience and wants and needs; benchmark competitors and comparators; and report on spatial constraints and opportunities.
3. Evaluation
To measure the success of the project, identify lessons learnt, and improve ways of working during and beyond the project, the Evaluation consultant will be required to develop an appropriate methodology for project evaluation and gathering/sharing of learning throughout the project.
Chair of Spode Museum Trust, Richard Gray said; "The Spode Museum Trust is working with the National Trust and Sara Hilton Associates to deliver this Feasibility Study, so the world class collections once again within the historic factory site can secure new, powerful contemporary relevance and contexts."
Interested candidates should contact Ellie Ralphs ellie.ralphs@nationaltrust.org.uk for the full detailed briefs of the work.
The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday 16th April 2021.