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Amgueddfa Cymru invites therefore project proposals from Wales-based organisations interested in working with the museum and its art collections. We are looking particularly for projects which approach the collection with imagination, contribute to debate and enhance the understanding of historic and contemporary art collections through recontextualisation of familiar and not-so-familiar objects. We are particularly interested in projects which will serve as a catalyst for new art commissions, projects with a strong learning element, and those which will foster a broad partnership network both within and beyond the community. Projects should include the display of works from the collection (subject to standard loan conditions), but this can be flexible (please see ‘Guidelines and suggestions' below).

The museum plans to support up to three projects per year. We are keen to encourage as wide a range of proposals as possible, from a focus on a single work to a full-scale exhibition/event. No idea is too small for consideration, although there is an upper limit of Amgueddfa Cymru funding per project - large-scale projects will be selected on the likelihood of additional funding being secured (by the partner venue).

Please note that ArtShare is for collaborative projects only - venues can still apply for loans of exhibits in the normal way.

How to apply

Please submit an outline idea (max 500 words) as an expression of interest. You must include the following information:

· Description of the project and how it relates to the museum's art collections
· A rough estimate of project cost - we will be happy to advise on this
· Any possibilities for additional funding if required
· A suggested delivery period/date, although please note that project timing is subject to agreement with Amgueddfa Cymru and that all projects should be completed by April 2011

If your idea is shortlisted, you will be asked to develop a full proposal in conjunction with Amgueddfa Cymru.

If you are unsure whether your project is eligible, please see the ‘Criteria' and ‘Guidelines and suggestions' sections at the end of this document. Alternatively, if you wish to discuss a potential idea, or obtain further information about either Celf Cymru Gyfan - ArtShare Wales or the art collections at Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, please contact Bryony Dawkes on 029 2057 3138 or via the email address below.

Expressions of interest should be submitted either by post or email:

Bryony Dawkes
Partnership Projects Curator
National Museum Cardiff
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NP
bryony.dawkes@museumwales.ac.uk

Closing date for expressions of interest 29th August 2008.

Criteria

Project ideas will be assessed against the following criteria:
· Quality of proposal and relationship to clearly defined project outcomes, e.g. audiences, new research etc
· Deliverability within time and resource availability
· Balance of projects across the scheme
· Availability of Amgueddfa Cymru collections and their match to physical capacity of partner venue (e.g security, environment, access)
· Feasibility of any further funding requirements

Amgueddfa Cymru aims to make ArtShare Wales a broad and inclusive scheme, and the main objective is that the project engages with Amgueddfa Cymru and any aspect of its art collections. However, its scope does not include the following:

· Capital projects
· Funding for borrowing previous exhibitions originated by Amgueddfa Cymru
· Projects which are eligible under Cyfoeth Cymru Gyfan - Sharing Treasures or could be realised through On Common Ground
· Funding for acquisition purposes
· Extensions of existing projects
· Projects which could be realised without ArtShare Wales funding

Guidelines and suggestions

The following guidelines outline the potential of ArtShare Wales

· All venues/organisations (not just museums & galleries), large or small, are invited to submit proposals
· Joint proposals from one or more venue/organisation will be considered
· Proposals from artists (not just those working in the visual arts) wishing to work both with Amgueddfa Cymru, its collections and a partner venue will be considered – multi-discplinary approaches are encouraged
· Projects do not specifically need to be exhibitions - any project with a tangible outcome, i.e. seminars, displays, performances, publications etc will be considered, but there must be a display element and/or a strong link to the collections
· Projects can be any size - larger projects will be expected to secure complementary funding
· Amgueddfa Cymru and its sites could act as either full or joint project venues for proposals from partners who are not equipped to borrow art works
· Projects which include innovative education projects are encouraged, as are those which have local relevance and seek develop local relationships
· Projects with the potential to access additional sources of funding are encouraged