Brent Museum and Archives Exhibition Policy 2023

Brent Museum and Archives are committed to producing a lively and varied programme of temporary exhibitions on an annual basis. The programme relates to the Council and service Strategies.

1. The purpose of running such a programme is to:

• attract new and existing audiences to engage with history, culture and heritage
• attract educational visits
• enhance the quality and variety of the visiting experience
• raise the profile of Brent Museum and Archives
• promote Lifelong Learning
• support the concept of cultural cohesion in Brent
• encourage individuals and groups who have a connection with Brent to deposit objects, stories and documents with Brent Museum and Archives
• allow residents of the borough to see and engage with new concepts and ideas.
• enable residents to learn about their culture and the cultures of their neighbours.

2. The exhibition programme is intended to cover a broad range of subjects and allows for a combination of internally curated and externally acquired or curated displays.  It will include exhibitions which: 

• focus on the heritage and rich cultural diversity of the London Borough of Brent
• use the collections held by Brent Museum and Archives
• which are led by the community 
• explore social, economic or environmental issues and concerns present in the borough, and promote the idea of social responsibility among residents.
• focus on broader subjects of more general interest
• introduce new objects and artefacts to Brent residents
• react to and encourage thought about events on a local, national and international stage.
• celebrate similarities and differences between cultures and communities in the borough.
• travel around the borough, using alternative venues to widen the reach of the exhibition programme.

3. 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 Museum and Archives Strategy: 

• engaging the public in the history, heritage and culture of Brent via an exciting public programme of events, talks, activities, and learning opportunities
• building on and rediscovering collections held by Brent Museum and Archives and interpreting them in new and innovative ways for the public to enjoy
• increasing the numbers of people actively engaging with history, their heritage and that of other cultures.  
• encouraging thought and debate on social issues, which effect a broad range of communities.
• building new and sustainable community projects and partnerships through development of exhibition projects.
• inspiring people to research their past and that of their borough by providing user-friendly, accessible services and facilities
• removing barriers to accessing the heritage of the borough

4. The programme will strive to operate a thematic rotation of exhibition subjects within a 2 year cycle, taking into consideration age, class, disability, gender, race (ethnicity), religion/ belief (or lack thereof) and sexual orientation. This being subject to the capacity and resources of the service. 

5. In order to ensure exhibitions have sufficient time to gain momentum and are financially viable, the suggested minimum running time for exhibitions in each gallery is:

• Exhibition Space (second floor, The Library at Willesden Green): 4-6 months
• Civic Centre Exhibition Wall (Brent Civic Centre): 3-6 months
• Community Display Areas: Family Space at Willesden Green, Kilburn Library, Harlesden Library, Ealing Road Library: 3-4 months
• The maximum running time for an exhibition is 6 months. 

6. Entry to all Brent Museum and Archives spaces is free of charge.

1. Organising bodies for exhibitions in the Exhibition Space will:

• observe the above criteria regarding exhibition subjects
• work in partnership with Brent Museum and Archives in co-curating displays
• organise a public programme including family workshops, activities and informal learning events related to the exhibition. This should be done in consultation with BMA and the final programme of events should be agreed by them
• ensure the exhibition has elements that are accessible to children
• publicise and market the exhibition in conjunction with BMA
• be responsible for any required changes to the decoration of the space, including fixtures and fittings and return the gallery to the state before the exhibition was installed. BMA can provide a quote or suggest a contractor for any work of this nature.
• evaluate exhibitions including any technical and practical issues that may have become apparent. Such appraisal must also include relevant audience feedback via some form of evaluation which should be active during all exhibitions. BMA can provide visitor figures.

2. Exhibition Gallery logistics:

• total floor space approximately 72sqm
• approximately 37,310 mm (approximately 37 meters) linear wall space with an incorporated hanging system
• A range of different show cases, please request separate details from the heritage team

1. Organising bodies for exhibitions in the Civic Centre Display Area will:

• observe the established criteria regarding exhibition subjects
• work in partnership with Brent Museum and Brent Archives in co-curating displays
• publicise and market the exhibition in conjunction with BMA
• not make any changes to the decoration or fixtures and fittings of the space
• Have in mind some form of evaluation method for the display to gauge audience engagement and feedback.

2. Civic Centre Display Area logistics:

• approximately 15,650mm mm (approximately 15.6 meters) linear wall space with an incorporated hanging system
• There is a preference for 2-D works
• If any organization wishes to display their 3-D material, cases may be made available. The transportation of these cases must be factored into the budget for the project.
• Where possible BMA will aim to use this space to link with the main exhibition at Willesden Green. This will not take priority over community requests for the space, but will take priority over the requests of Council Officers.

Community Display Areas: Family Space at Willesden Green, Kilburn Library, Harlesden Library, Ealing Road Library and Kingsbury Library

1. Organising bodies for exhibitions in the Community Display Areas will:

• observe the above criteria regarding exhibition subjects
• work in partnership with Brent Museum and Brent Archives in co-curating displays
• publicise and market the exhibition in conjunction with BMA
• Be responsible for any required changes to the decoration of the space, including fixtures and fittings and return the space to the state before the exhibition was installed. BMA can provide a quote, or suggest a contractor for any work of this nature.
• Have in mind some form of evaluation method for the display to gauge audience engagement and feedback.

2. Community Display Area logistics:

• Family Space at Willesden Green: one showcase with incorporated linear display space, specifications available on request
• Kilburn Library: approximately 7,780 mm (approximately 7.8 meters) linear wall space
• Harlesden Library: 2 linear wall spaces of approximately 2,280 mm and 2,330 mm (approximately 2.2 and 2.3 meters) respectively, each with an incorporated hanging system
• Ealing Road Library: approximately 6,000mm (approximately 6 meters) linear wall space with an incorporated hanging system
• Kingsbury Library: one showcase, specifications available on request

BMA will develop several Holding Displays that can be used for the Community Wall and the Civic Centre Display Area. These will be hung during the interim periods between displays, thus avoiding an empty display space.

1. Parties wishing to exhibit items on the wall spaces, in either the Exhibition Space or on the Community Wall, must use the hanging system fitted. The Heritage team can advise on the logistics of using the system.
2. Brent Museum and Archives have a range of display methods that can be used for exhibitions.
3. All graphics (i.e. gallery interpretation, publicity, text, images) and objects must be discussed and signed off by the Heritage team before being produced and/or displayed. The Heritage team will advice on text size and all matters regarding accessibility for people with disabilities as well as offering appropriate advice/guidelines for text, graphics and object usage for display.
4. All publicity material produced in conjunction with the exhibition has to display the Brent Council and Brent Museum and Archives logos, which can be supplied by the Heritage team.
5. All publicity material relating to the exhibition must be signed off by senior officers at Brent Council before materials can be produced.
6. Once the exhibition has been agreed a Partnership Agreement with key dates and essential details will be signed to ensure both parties meet the terms agreed. Failure to meet the terms agreed can result in permission to mount the exhibition being withdrawn.

1. The exhibition programme for all spaces will be agreed 6 months in advance.
2. All interested parties (external organisations, individuals and Brent officers wishing to exhibit in the Exhibition Space or on the Community Gallery must complete the Exhibition Proposal Form in order for their exhibition proposal to be considered by the Heritage team.
3.  Applicants must pay due regard to the Brent Museum and Archives Exhibition Policy when submitting a proposal and be clear as to how their proposal meets this policy.
4. Expressions of interest will be considered at Brent Museum and Archives team meetings, which take place weekly. These meetings will inform the programme for the following year.
5.  All forms will be considered against the criteria outlined in Brent Museum and Archives Exhibition Policy.
6. Brent Museum and Archives are happy to discuss ideas prior to submission. Please note that no commitment will be made at this stage to host your exhibition. All forms will be considered at the same time against the exhibition policy.
7. Brent Museum and Archives are part of Brent Customer Access Service. They are happy to discuss ideas regarding public programming for your exhibition and positively encourage partnership work with other services (e.g. book readings, linkages with festivals, family activities).
8. Brent Officers’ decision is final.
9. Parties who have submitted a proposal will be notified of the team’s decision by the end of the month their proposal was considered in.
10. Demand for the exhibition spaces is high and will be competitive. You may not be successful, nor may it be possible to offer alternative dates to those originally outlined in your application.