NPG - Minutes of Design Presentation Meetings

This material is held atNational Portrait Gallery Archive

Scope and Content

The purpose of the meetings is to discuss and decide upon all aspects of the design for forthcoming exhibitions, to discuss the progress of the design, and to discuss and resolve any problems with the design for current exhibitions. Other aspects of Gallery design are also discussed, for example the Studio Gallery.

The design aspect of exhibitions covers the following areas: 3D design including external designers, suppliers and contractors for installation/build, design for the exhibition shop, layout, signage, interpretation and captions; marketing, including posters, leaflets, tickets, private view invites, press packs, external banners; publications and merchandise including exhibition catalogues, printed exhibition guides, postcards, and other merchandise. It also occasionally includes designing educational materials such as learning packs.

These meetings are attended by the Director, Head of Design, Director of Communications and Development & Deputy Director, the relevant Curator(s), Head of Learning, Interpretation Editor, Head of Exhibitions and Collections, the relevant Exhibitions Managers, Exhibitions Assistants, Marketing Manager, Marketing Officer, Head of Trading, Retail Manager/Buyer, and the Head of Publications.

Meetings were held monthly. All meetings were minuted.

The series includes, for each meeting, the minutes and agenda.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Design Presentation Meetings were established in c2000. The precise date is unknown, but records held in the archive date from this year. From 2016 meetings were held less regularly and were dissolved in summer 2017 in favour of informal discussion. There are no records for meetings held after September 2016 or those held in 2001.

Access Information

Available to view by appointment in the Heinz Archive and Library Public Study Room, to make an appointment contact Archive Reception . Although records are generally available for public consultation, some information in them, such as personal data or information supplied to the Gallery in confidence, may be restricted.

Other Finding Aids

The complete catalogue for this archive can be searched via the NPG Archive Catalogue .

Conditions Governing Use

Personal photography is permitted for research purposes only. Photocopying is not permitted.