Economics of Touring Exhibitions: Models for Practice

This TEG report presents and analyses the findings of a research survey conducted during July and August 2015. It was undertaken to identify current economic and wider trends in touring practice in the UK. The survey focused on touring between UK organisations, as a complement to the work being undertaken by the Working Internationally Regional Project (WIRP) and British Council concerning international touring. These research findings demonstrate regional and UK wide approaches to touring, including hire fees, exhibition types and scales, how touring programmes are developed and promoted, the types and propensity of partnership working and the factors that affect an organisation’s ability to engage in touring activity.

In this resource TEG makes nine recommendations for touring practice, which it proposes will help organisations tour exhibitions in a strategic and economically effective way. It draws on the findings of TEG’s 2015 research survey. The document also defines the range of economic and production models TEG has identified for use by organisations.

This toolkit provides UK museums and galleries, of all types and scales, with a framework for analysis and strategic development, to support the selection of an appropriate economic and production model for touring, to suit the particular circumstances in which they are operating.

The toolkit can be used by individuals, a team or at organisational level to prompt discussion, planning and strategic development. It supports:

• The identification of aims and objectives
• Assessment of organisational resources and capacity to support touring
• Assessment of the current external factors that may influence the development of a touring programme
• Identification of potential sources of funding
• Consideration of sustainable approaches to touring
• Consideration of touring in partnership

It also includes resources:

• Sector awareness
• Funding for touring
• Sustainable touring
• Touring in partnership