Current Availability

 

A consultant or agency is required to carry out a:

Feasibility Study for a New Contemporary Art Gallery in York, UK
Budget up to £25,000

1. Project Summary 

York is the UK’s only UNESCO City of Media Arts, yet it lacks a dedicated contemporary art gallery that reflects this global designation. Despite a rich creative heritage and thriving festivals, there is currently no cultural space in York or North Yorkshire committed to showcasing contemporary practice – particularly in media arts disciplines such as film, photography, digital installations and immersive technologies.

This absence has serious implications. Without a professional platform for artists or ambitious programming, York risks losing creative talent to other regions and missing opportunities to grow its cultural economy. The near recent relocation of the internationally recognised Aesthetica Art Prize after 20 years in York highlighted the urgent need for appropriate infrastructure. At the same time, 62% of creative jobs are concentrated in London and the South East, leaving York & North Yorkshire under-represented in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the UK economy.

A new contemporary art gallery would address this critical gap. It will:

• Provide a flagship venue for national and international exhibitions, ensuring York’s cultural profile matches its UNESCO status.
• Nurture local and regional talent through skills development, mentoring, and presentation opportunities.
• Strengthen the visitor economy by attracting new audiences and cultural tourism.
• Support York & North Yorkshire’s ambition to be carbon negative by 2040, embedding sustainability in building design and operations.

This feasibility study will test the need, scope, business model, and long-term impact of establishing such a gallery, creating a strong, evidence-based case for investment and sustainable delivery.

2. Background & Context 

York is the UK’s only UNESCO City of Media Arts, yet it lacks a flagship contemporary art gallery. This gap prevents the city and wider North Yorkshire from capitalising on their cultural and creative potential.

• Current gap: No dedicated space for contemporary and media-based practices such as film, photography, digital installations, or immersive technologies.
• Talent pipeline issues: No professional platform for artists to develop or showcase.
• Lost opportunity: The Aesthetica Art Prize, founded in York and internationally recognised, has struggled with venues in the city and was a risk of relocating to Manchester or Newcastle due to a lack of suitable venue – demonstrating structural weaknesses in York’s cultural offer.
• Economic imbalance: Creative jobs remain disproportionately concentrated in London/South East (62%), while York & North Yorkshire lags behind national averages in creative employment (3.6% vs. 5.5%).

Meanwhile, York is surrounded by cultural momentum:

• Bradford 2025 (UK City of Culture) will elevate the North’s profile, and York risks being overshadowed without new investment.
• The creative industries are worth £125bn annually to the UK and growing 1.5x faster than other sectors.

A new gallery will:

• Fill a critical cultural gap in York & North Yorkshire.
• Provide a professional, public-facing platform for national and international contemporary art.
• Showcase media arts in a way that aligns with York’s UNESCO designation.
• Strengthen York & North Yorkshire’s creative economy, visibility, and employment opportunities.

3. Project Objectives

The feasibility study will provide the evidence base, strategic plan, and business model for a new contemporary art gallery in York. The study will:

1. Evidence cultural and economic need – Map current provision, sector gaps, and potential for York & North Yorkshire.
2. Conduct market analysis – Evaluate local, regional, and national demand; assess potential audiences and visitor economy impact.
3. Benchmark comparators – Review gallery models in the UK and abroad to identify best practice and innovative approaches.
4. Develop strategic vision – Define mission, curatorial priorities, and sector contribution.
5. Assess building and location options – Explore potential sites, refurbishment needs, and capital investment requirements.
6. Model sustainable business approaches – Explore governance, funding, and operational models.
7. Analyse carbon strategy – Identify opportunities to meet York & North Yorkshire’s 2040 carbon-negative ambition.
8. Engage stakeholders – Ensure co-creation with artists, funders, educators, and community groups.
9. Define legacy and impact – Map pathways to long-term sustainability, skills development, and investment readiness.
10. Scope of Work

The appointed agency/consultant will deliver:

Research & Evidence

• Desk research into cultural policy, creative industries growth, and York/North Yorkshire context.
• Economic impact modelling (jobs, GVA, tourism, inward investment).
• Audience segmentation and visitor demand analysis.

Benchmarking

• Case studies of comparable gallery models (UK and international).
• Identification of transferable models in governance, curatorial strategy, and financial resilience.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Interviews and workshops with artists, HE partners, creative industries, funders, civic leaders, and communities.
• Sector roundtables (e.g. creative skills, media arts innovation, accessibility).
• Consolidated insights for inclusion in the final report.

Strategic Planning

• Define vision, mission, and values of the gallery.
• Explore curatorial scope: media arts, immersive, cross-disciplinary programming.
• Map pathways for skills development, education, and community outreach.

Business & Financial Modelling

• Capital cost estimates for building refurbishment/development.
• Operational cost projections (staffing, exhibitions, education programmes).
• Income forecasting (earned, philanthropic, corporate sponsorship, ACE/National Lottery).
• Governance and delivery model recommendations.

Sustainability & Carbon Reduction

• Assessment of low-carbon refurbishment options.
• Energy efficiency and renewables integration (e.g. solar, low-impact materials).
• Operational sustainability (digital-first exhibitions reducing shipping, waste reduction strategies).

Reporting & Presentation

• Draft feasibility study report for review.
• Final report with executive summary, appendices, and public-facing design.
• Launch presentation to stakeholders, funders, and potential investors.

5. Partnerships & Support

The study will be developed with a strong partnership:

• Aesthetica – global curatorial networks, BAFTA-Qualifying programming, regional commitment.
• Make It York – expertise in place-making and strategy.
• University of York & XR Stories – national leaders in immersive storytelling and creative technologies.
• York St John University – graduate pipeline, academic expertise.
• City of York Council & York BID – civic backing and alignment with economic growth strategies.

This collaboration ensures access to world-class expertise, local knowledge, and strong sector buy-in.

6. Evaluation & Legacy

The feasibility study will:

• Provide an evidence-based case for investment.
• Unlock capital and programme funding from Arts Council England, trusts, and corporate partners.
• Support York’s UNESCO Media Arts identity.
• Contribute to York & North Yorkshire’s carbon negative 2040 ambition.
• Leave a long-term legacy by:
  • Retaining graduate talent.
  • Growing creative sector employment.
  • Positioning the region as a leader in contemporary and media arts.

7. Agency / Consultant Requirements

Proposals must demonstrate:

• Experience delivering cultural feasibility studies.
• Knowledge of contemporary and media arts.
• Skills in economic modelling and impact assessment.
• Evidence of stakeholder engagement expertise.
• Commitment to EDI and sustainability.

8. Submission Instructions 

Proposals should include:

1. Agency background and case studies.
2. Methodology and approach.
3. Team structure and key personnel.
4. Timeline and project plan.
5. Detailed budget breakdown.
6. Evidence of commitment to sustainability and inclusion.

Deadline: 23 January 2026

Apply to Cherie Federico, recruitment@aestheticamagazine.com

 

 

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