Design Contract: Exhibition Framework and Implementation Plan

Background

The Australian National Surfing Museum is located in Torquay, Australia’s surfing capital, and the beginning of the Great Ocean Road. The Museum charts Australia’s significant contribution to the development of surfing around the world. Through the colourful and exciting permanent displays of an extraordinary collection of surfcraft, important surfing artefacts and memorabilia, the museum commemorates Australia’s fantastic surfing heritage.

In 2021, the Australian National Surfing Museum (ANSM) undertook a master planning process to establish a 20-year vision for exhibition and collection development. The Master Plan has provided clear direction in planning for the future development of the museum, it’s collections and operations. The Master Plan outlined the development of the museum in a new, fit for purpose site – this has not yet been achieved. The establishment of a new ANSM remains a priority, however this may take a number of years to come to fruition. In the interim the Museum is embarking on a staged exhibition refresh in the current site.

The Project

The intent of this project is to improve the visitor experience and increase visitation levels to the museum, being mindful of the limitations of the existing facility and the need for flexibility of application of design to current and possible future museum buildings.

This refresh will be based on the ANSM Master Plan, adapting its elements to align with current circumstances and the existing museum site. While the Master Plan envisioned a new building, this project will focus on enhancing the visitor experience and implementing strategic improvements that align with the budget and scale of a refresh – not museum overhaul.

The Museum Master Plan can be found on Council’s website here- https://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/About-us/Council/Policies-plans-strategies-and-reports/Plans-and-strategies, under the sub heading of Community.

Visitor ExperienceThe outputs from this contract will allow the in-house exhibition development team to deliver consistent visitor experience across a series of discreet installs by addressing the following key experiences for a museum visitors:• How will the exhibition/ museum look?• How will the exhibition/ museum feel (allowing room for interactive and immersive experiences within the exhibition but noting that a detailed interpretation design does not form part of this brief.• How will the exhibition spaces support the delivery of educational tours? (ie where will groups congregate and interact?)• The flow or sequence of the museum experience from entry to exit.

Consideration should be given to ensuring all design complies with Australian Accessibility standards and reflects the goals articulated in in the ANSM Master Plan around engagement, access, exploration education, inclusivity, sustainability and preservation. 

Scope of Work Required:Outputs – High-level Design and Visuals• Visitor flow diagrams• Thematic treatments• Preliminary exhibition layout in accordance with key themes and experiences identified in the Masterplan and previous exhibition planning documents• Style Boards – including confirmation of colour palettes• Broad exhibition renderings• Interpretive framework and Style Guide including templates for labels and didactics.

Outputs– Forward Project Planning• Estimates for a section by section staged approach to the refresh• Realistic, implementable budget based on current operational funding and potential externalfunding• An outline of requirements for infrastructure renewal (cases, lighting, audiovisual etc), structural works, design services and build services and implementation sequencing where appropriate. The re-use of existing cabinetry/ exhibition furniture and mounts where possible is encouraged.• Recommended implementation strategy including:➢ Sequencing/staging of project/s➢ Sequencing of budgets➢ Alignment with external funding sourcesMust include pragmatic expectations around level of funding (particularly in relation to modest internal annual exhibition budgets)