About Project Planning Checklist: for Heritage Organisations

• Set aside enough time to develop the project, including research
• Be aware of language / terminology differences between the sectors
• Develop the artist’s brief together with art organisation / curator you may be working with
• Identify conservation issues at an early stage; these need to be included in the artists’ brief
• Identify representatives from your organisation that should become part of a steering group
• Consider working with a professional arts organisation or curator
• Identify the person within your organisation who will lead on the project
• Identify locations on site to prioritise and include these in the artists’ brief
• Identify clear objectives for the project and what the organisation needs to achieve
• Develop the rationale for a business case – meet and discuss this with arts partner
• Organise some ‘go and see’ projects as part of the research phase or look at case studies
• Keep site staff and volunteers informed of the project
• Ask the curator / arts organisation to brief volunteers / site staff at an early stage
• Be aware that the lead person will need to set aside time for management of the project
• Set aside budget for the proposal stage
• Decide whether you need to contract a project manager
• Discuss with curator / arts organisation the best way to find artist for your project
• Set aside funds for marketing
• Don’t forget that press and profile coverage is important
• Document the project – you will need good images for further fundraising
• Consider engagement / dedicated talks / special curator / artist evenings.