Interactive exhibit design opportunity at Pontefract Castle

We are looking to appoint a contractor to design, build and fit interactive elements at the Pontefract Castle Visitor Centre that will engage, educate and enhance the visitor experience.

Pontefract Castle

From its construction in 1070 to its demise following the Civil Wars, the once-fearsome fortress of Pontefract Castle dominated Yorkshire and beyond, bearing witness to some of England’s most momentous historical events, earning itself the name of the Key to the North!

Today, the castle is a place of adventure, with wide open spaces to explore and play, and fascinating ruins to investigate. Family-friendly interpretation boards around the grounds reveal the castle’s eventful history. 

From the top of the keep, visitors can admire the surrounding Yorkshire countryside. The children’s playground is the perfect place for young visitors to burn off some energy and create their own castle adventures.

The Visitor Centre includes an Activity Space, Gift Shop, Café, and museum display area. The displays are located in a glazed link area between the Gift Shop and Cafe.

The museum display space in Pontefract Castle Visitor Centre

Commission brief

We are now inviting proposals to design, build and fit interactive elements that will expand our visitor offer. This should include: 

• Hands-on interactive element/s inspired by the collections on display 
• A dressing up area for all ages inspired by the displays and site history 
• Design and print of complementary graphic panel/s, incorporating existing content to be supplied by the client 
• Fit out /installation of above elements 

Factors for consideration:

• The exhibit will not be directly overseen by a member staff so will need to be robust and self-explanatory. 
• Environmentally-friendly, sustainable materials should be used wherever possible but must also be long-lasting and fit for purpose.
• This area gets direct sunlight from the adjacent window and can reach high temperatures in the summer. 
• Structures should be of a durable finish and easily cleaned. 
• The exhibit must be inclusive and meet all physical, sensory and intellectual accessibility requirements.
• Copyright for all text, graphics and images supplied by the client is to be retained by the client. 

The successful contractor will work closely with Wakefield Museums & Castles staff, particularly the Curatorial & Exhibitions team, who will retain overall editorial and curatorial control of the display content. 

The successful contractor will be appointed in June 2023. 

The exhibit should be installed by end August 2023.

Deadline for proposals is 9am, 30 May 2023. 

For a copy of the full brief, details of how to apply, or for more information, please contact Steph Webb, Senior Officer: Curatorial & Exhibitions on swebb@wakefield.gov.uk