Museum of the Jewellery Quarter Jeweller in Residence

Call for Applications: Museum of the Jewellery Quarter Jeweller in Residence 2019/20

Open to graduates of the Birmingham School of Jewellery, the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter are looking for a graduate designer to design a new jewellery range for the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter and become the Jeweller in Residence 2019-20.

About the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter

The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter (MJQ) is built around a perfectly preserved jewellery workshop offering a unique glimpse of working life in Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter.

When the proprietors of the Smith & Pepper jewellery manufacturing firm retired in 1981 they simply ceased trading and locked the door, unaware they would be leaving a time capsule for future generations.

Today the factory is a remarkable museum, which tells the story of the Jewellery Quarter and Birmingham’s renowned jewellery and metalworking heritage.

Competition Brief

This competition, open to graduates of the Birmingham School of Jewellery only, is to design a small jewellery range (to include a pendant necklace and a bangle) inspired by the Smith & Pepper catalogue and the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter. We are particularly interested in seeing work that takes inspiration from the iconic snake range produced by the Smith & Pepper factory.

The winning designer will be the second to receive the title of “Museum of the Jewellery Quarter Jeweller in Residence” with the unique opportunity to work from the MJQ’s jeweller’s bench. Additionally, there will be the opportunity to access Birmingham School of Jewellery’s outstanding facilities.

The winner will also receive an exclusive retail contract for their design with Birmingham Museums plus a cash prize of £1000.

We are looking for a jeweller who shows passion for the project and the technical and design skills to deliver on the objectives.

The Prize

£1000 cash prize.

A retail contract with Birmingham Museums of designs created on residency inspired by the Smith & Pepper factory, from 20th November 2019 (or earlier if first piece is commissioned earlier) to 30th September 2020.

If sales are strong there may be opportunity to extend. This would include commitment to sale online, at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter under our standard terms.

Opportunity to work from the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter’s jewellers bench (ideally a minimum of once per week to showcase the project), once mandatory inductions have been passed.

Access to the School of Jewellery facilities, once mandatory inductions have been passed.

The title of “Museum of the Jewellery Quarter Jeweller In Residence 2019/20”.

Closing Date

5pm on 20th June 2019.

How to Enter

Submission by email of digital portfolio of designs to Tanya Davison, Tanya.Davison@birminghammuseums.org.uk

The portfolio should be a minimum of 6 PDF pages illustrating your design process and final product, or final render of potential product. Include a 100 word rationale of why you would want to be Museum of the Jewellery Quarter Jeweller in Residence and how it would develop your career.

Competition Rules

The designer must be a graduate of Birmingham School of Jewellery.

Must be able to start Residency on 19th September 2019 and able to present the first piece in the range by 30th October 2019. The winner agrees to the use of their name and image in any publicity material or media surrounding the Jeweller in Residence competition by Birmingham Museums Trust and Birmingham City University/ School of Jewellery.

Must be willing and confident with public engagement as part of the opportunity is engaging with visitors at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter whilst developing work.

Copyright in all images submitted for this competition remains with the respective entrants. However, in consideration of their providing the Competition entry, each entrant grants a worldwide, non-exclusive, perpetual licence to Birmingham Museums Trust and BCU for editorial, marketing, PR, learning and all social media platforms for the promotion of Birmingham Museums Trust and Birmingham City University/ School of Jewellery.

For more details including full contract details and T&Cs please download the MJQ Jewellery in Residence Competition Brief (PDF).

birminghammuseums.org.uk