NEM Exhibition Policy and Process - Exhibition (Project) Policy and Process

Sep 12, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel

North East Museums (NEM) sets out an exhibition policy and delivery process for planning and managing temporary exhibitions, refurbishments of permanent gallery and exhibition spaces, and non-exhibition commissioning support from in-house Collections, Design, and Technical teams. The policy defines NEM venues, roles and responsibilities, and eligibility criteria for Museums & Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief (MGETR), including UK/EU/EAA “core costs” thresholds, core versus non-core cost categories, and production phases. It also clarifies what does not qualify, such as online exhibitions, competitions, live performances (except incidental), and sales or “alive” items.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

Exhibition Policy

Background

Scope

Exhibition Criteria

When does an exhibition qualify for MGETR?

Core costs

Non-core costs

Production phases & MGETR eligibility

Non qualifying exhibitions

Claiming and key guidance

Key Definitions

Exhibition

Touring Exhibition

Non-Exhibition

Project

Roles and Responsibilities

Exhibition (Project) Policy and Process Name of Governing Body: NEM Strategic Board Date of Last Review: 25.03.2026 Date for review: March 2029 Exhibition Policy Background North East Museums (NEM) is a regional museum, art gallery and archive service managing twelve museums and galleries across Northumberland, Tyneside and the Archive Service for Tyne and Wear and is a joint service of five local authorities, Newcastle City Council (NCC) acts as lead authority and legal body. The 12 venues: - • Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort • Discovery Museum • Great North Museum: Hancock • Hatton Gallery • Hexham Old Gaol • Laing Art Gallery • Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum • Segedunum Roman Fort • South Shields Museum & Art Gallery • Stephenson Steam Railway • The Shipley Art Gallery • Tyne & Wear Archives (based at Discovery Museum) • Woodhorn Museum Exhibitions are free at eight venues. At Hexham Old Gaol, Segedunum and Woodhorn Museum all exhibitions take place within the sites’ paywall and atthe Laing Art Gallery a charge is made for the main temporary exhibition programme. See our Programming Strategy for more information about how NEM programmes exhibitions. Each venue is responsible for • delivering a programme of temporary exhibitions • caring for collections and permanent gallery and exhibition spaces • maintaining a high standard of visitor experience This work is supported by NEM’s inhouse Collections, Documentation, Design, Technical, Communications and Development teams. NEM contracts out exhibition management production activities to Exhibitions by NEM to utilise the Museums & Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief (MGETR) scheme. Following this procedure enables NEM to: • Allocate and prioritise organisational resources effectively • Maximise Museums & Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief claim income • Effectively plan and deliver exhibitions alongside other organisation priorities • Allow for accurate budget forecasting Scope This policy defines the process to follow by North East Museums staff when planning and delivering: • temporary exhibitions • maintaining & commissioning refurbishment of permanent gallery and exhibition spaces • maintaining and caring for collections • commissioning non exhibition related work from the Collections, Design or Technical inhouse teams Exhibition Criteria An exhibition is a curated, physical display of objects or works of interest for public consumption and can be: • permanent or temporary • of any size scale • initiated and generated by NEM staff • hired or on tour from other providers • generated in partnership with other cultural partners (for example as part of a grant funded programme) • generated in partnership with other non-cultural partners (for example a collaboration with a community group) • hosted on behalf of other providers • hosted on behalf of community groups When does an exhibition qualify for MGETR? A qualifying exhibition • is a curated public display of an organised collection of objects or works considered to be of interest in one of the following ways: • scientifically • historically • artistically • culturally • can be a single object • has at least 25% of core costs spent on goods or services that are provided from within the UK or the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein known asthe European Economic Area (EEA)—from 1 April 2024, at least 10% of the‘core costs’must relate to activities in the UK • the public do not have to be charged for admission to an exhibition; however, they must be admitted in person Core costs • producing the exhibition (including principal photography) • uninstalling and closing the exhibition if it’s open for one year or less Non-core costs • speculative development on initial concepts and feasibility • non-producing activities • the cost of running the exhibition during the period which it is open to the public • ex

FAQs

What types of activities does the policy cover for NEM staff?

The policy covers planning and delivering temporary exhibitions, maintaining and commissioning refurbishment of permanent gallery and exhibition spaces, maintaining and caring for collections, and commissioning non-exhibition work from in-house Collections, Design, or Technical teams.

What qualifies an exhibition for MGETR under this policy?

A qualifying exhibition is a curated public display of an organised collection of objects or works meeting specified scientific, historical, artistic, or cultural criteria, with defined cost conditions and public admission in person.

Which exhibitions are listed as non-qualifying for MGETR?

Non-qualifying exhibitions include those organised with a competition, held online (not in person), featuring live performance beyond incidental cases, or where displayed items are for sale or “alive”.

Sep 12, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel