Core Story Project 2019

Brief for a Creative Producer

Background

Strategically located on the border between and England, Chirk was constructed in the late 13th-century in the aftermath of King Edward I’s conquest of Wales and is adjacent to the historic boundary of Offa’s Dyke – a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Unlike most other Welsh of the period which were built and administered by the Crown, Chirk was built privately. Its owner, Roger Mortimer, was one of several powerful Marcher Lords given authority by the King to administer justice, taxes and military rule in the borderlands. After Mortimer’s death in 1326, the castle and estates passed through the hands of some of the most powerful and influential figures of medieval history, variously used by the Crown to reward loyalty and forfeit by those who fell from favour.

In 1595 Sir Thomas Myddelton bought the castle, and instigated a dynasty of ownership lasting 400 years. The continuity of ownership has ensured the survival of a remarkable collection of contents, including nationally important items such as the collection of 17th- century books and two cabinets, as well as an estate which is unique locally in that is has had over 700 years of management. The Myddelton family were active in the English Civil War, and later were politicians, entrepreneurs, and industrialists.

From 1911 to 1946 Chirk Castle was leased to Thomas Scott-Ellis, 8th Lord Howard De Walden, who had ancestral links with Denbigh and felt a strong connection and belonging to Wales. During this period the castle underwent a renaissance as leading writers, intellectuals and artists flocked to Chirk Castle. The Howard De Walden family also became generous patrons of the Welsh language and arts, maintaining and funding the Eisteddfod during the 1930s. The castle and gardens were updated for modern living.

Chirk Castle, gardens and parkland were acquired for the nation from the Myddelton family in 1978, then transferred to the National Trust in 1981.

In 2018 the Chirk Castle Conservation Management Plan (CMP) highlighted that the story at Chirk is currently difficult for visitors to follow, and the nature of the spaces and interiors resists a simple chronological visitor circuit.

The 2019 Core story project has been set up to identify and test new methodologies of interpretation at the site. We hope this will give us a way to improve our interpretation and storytelling, and making our core story more accessible before we embark on more ambitious programming from 2021 (the 40th anniversary of the National Trust at Chirk).

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Brief

We want someone to manage the Chirk Castle core story project in 2019/20. This will involve developing and testing 2-3 different methods of interpretation and storytelling at the property, with the goal being to provide evidence that can suggest new ways of working and support a larger project to overhaul and improve the visitor journey at the site.

Your role will include:

• Working with property staff to identify which spaces will be best used to trial different methodologies of storytelling/interpretation. • Developing a plan for new interpretive approaches to help solve some of the issues identified in the CMP and ‘Chirk Castle Core story project 2019’ document (this document can be emailed to you on request). • Scoping and creating briefs for piloting new interpretive approaches, and commissioning pilots where applicable for testing. • Some limited engagement with volunteers and staff at Chirk Castle so that they are part of the project and have opportunities to give their input. • Working closely with the Chirk Castle Visitor Experience Manager and House & Collection Manager at Chirk Castle to achieve project outcomes. • Agree evaluative techniques and produce a report on the new approaches tried that will assist property staff to develop the Chirk offer and can be used at other properties that are going through a similar process. • Attending team meetings and project updates as required and presenting your findings. Managing your budget effectively. Essential

• Proven experience and track record of producing creative responses to help tell a story (interpretation, installations, performance, events etc). • Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact and engage with a wide range of different people, stakeholders and partners. • Excellent administrative and I.T. skills – able to manage a budget and logistical needs with attention to detail and accuracy. • A self-motivated and proactive person, able to manage deadlines and multiple projects with pace and flexibility. • Strong knowledge and experience of creative interpretation and artistic practices. • A commitment to working with others and sharing learning. • Experience of commissioning and developing work. • Good networking skills. • An interest in history and heritage.

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Desirable

• Experience of working at a visitor business. • Experience of developing heritage interpretation.

Budget and timescales

The budget for this project is £20,000, to include all expenses. The preparation work for this project must be completed by end of February 2020 – to allow for a period of trial from March to August 2020, and then evaluation in September 2020.

Your Proposal

We would like you to set out your approach to this brief, and highlight your particular strengths, skills and relevant areas of expertise.

We would like to know:

• Why do you want to work on this project? • How do you intend to complete the brief? • How much of your time you will spend on the brief?

Please provide a breakdown of your costs, and how you would use the budget.

Please also provide any relevant information from your portfolio which will show your suitability for the project.

Please email to request a copy of the Chirk Core Story concept booklet, which contains additional background information.

Please direct any queries to [email protected] and [email protected]

And copy [email protected]

Deadline: 13 September 2019

Interview date: Thurs 19 September 2019

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