consultancy that may be of interest to an arlis member...


Brief for Whitechapel Gallery Archive Conservation Management Plan

Introduction
The Whitechapel was founded in 1901 to 'bring great art to the people  
of the
East End'. It was the first public gallery to show some of the great  
names of
British 20th Century Art, from Hockney to Gilbert & George, as well  
as profiling
international artists such as Picasso, Pollock and Rothko.  
International in its
scope and reputation, the Whitechapel is at the heart of East London.

Historically a deprived area it is home to 10,000 artists and over  
100 galleries,
and the Gallery's education programme continues its pioneering work  
within these
dynamic communities. As a destination for film, debate and events, it  
remains
the place to find the most exciting modern and contemporary art.

Background
The Whitechapel Gallery has been given the unique opportunity to  
purchase the
adjoining library, which was co-founded with the Gallery. The  
expansion scheme,
the Gallery's most important development since its foundation in  
1901, will
conserve and give public access for the first time to the  
Whitechapel's one
hundred-year-old Archive Collection, which traces some of the most  
important
artistic developments in both national and world culture.

The Whitechapel Archive Collection dates back to 1901 and includes  
materials
relating to over 730 exhibitions, including artists' correspondence,
photographic documentation, catalogues, printed matter, press cuttings,
installation plans, policy documents and other materials relating to the
history of the Gallery. From an art historical standpoint these are  
of great
scholarly value in that they chart the introduction and impact of  
some of the
most important individuals and movements in 19th and 20th century art  
as well
as the changing aesthetics of display and the development of Gallery  
education
models.

The Archive Collection will be housed in a repository in the basement  
of the
refurbished former library and displayed on the first floor. These  
areas will be
environmentally controlled, thereby ensuring that all materials are  
conserved
for posterity and made accessible for research. The new facilities  
will include
a Reading Room to support consultation and two exhibition spaces for  
Archive
displays. One exhibition space will focus on the artists and exhibitions
presented at the Gallery (four displays a year). The other, a semi- 
permanent
display, will focus on the shared origins of the Gallery and the  
Library. Each
will include original work or works of art and documentary materials  
such as
artists' videos, short documentaries, and audio interviews with  
artists and
curators.

Conservation Management Plan
The Whitechapel would now like to commission a consultant to prepare a
conservation management plan for the Archive, which will support our  
Stage 2
application to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The plan should be based on  
the
guidelines set out in the Heritage Lottery Fund's Conservation  
Management
Plans - A Guide and must include:

*         The history and context of the Whitechapel's Archive
*         An analysis of its significance
*         A condition survey of the Archive Collection
*         An assessment of issues and vulnerability
*         A conservation management policy

The consultant will need to involve stakeholders in the plan, and  
manage a
programme of involvement and consultation.

Fees
Guide: £6,000

Selection and timetable
If you wish to tender for this assignment please send a costed proposal
including the following:

*         An introduction to your practice, outlining the core areas  
of your
expertise
*         Full CVs for anyone who will be working on this assignment
*         A fixed price quotation for completing the work, including all
expenses
*         A workplan, indicating how many days will be allocated in  
each area
of work

Proposals will be assessed for the appropriate professional  
experience, quality
and appropriateness of the proposal and value for money. Short-listed
candidates will be interviewed.

Please submit proposals to Amy Walker, Administrator, Whitechapel, 80-82
Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7QX or  
MAILTO:[log in to unmask]
by: 11am, Friday 24 June 2005

The first draft of the plan must be completed by Friday 22 July 2005

The final copy must be received by: Friday 26 August 2005