In February 2026, The Story Museum will open a new Noughts and Crosses immersive storytelling space marking the 25th anniversary of the seminal novel by Malorie Blackman. Based in the Enchanted Library the space will invite visitors to engage and explore the story in imaginative, sensory and playful ways, encouraging an emotional connection and sparking their curiosity. The space will be designed in collaboration with a group of young people from the Black Excellence Project. The commission will require the Designer to: Design a new Noughts and Crosses immersive story niche in the Enchanted Library galleries. Design and deliver a co-creative workshop scheme with young people which will inform the public display at the museum and/or be incorporated into the final installation Collaborate with the museum's in-house Exhibitions and Production teams in the realisation (build and make) of the finished installation. The Designer will work closely with The Story Museum's skilled design and build team. This commission suits an early-career artist keen to work with experienced professionals and benefit from mentorship. Skills in one or more of the following are required: immersive/theatre design, prop making, 3D build, textile arts, scenic or mural painting. Essential Experience: Experience designing and delivering creative workshops for young people Desirable Experience: Experience designing 3D public work for children/families Experience co-designing with children or communities Interest in children's literature and visual storytelling The Designer must be available for workshop with young people on Wednesdays, 4:30pm-6:30pm, 17 May-22 October at The Story Museum in Oxford. The Designer will meet with museum team and project lead to explore the artistic and practical aims of the brief at the start of September. They will then lead 5-6 x 2-hour participatory workshops with young people from The Black Excellence Project, ensuring their creative input is reflected in the final design. Expert mentorship and guidance from the museum team will be available. After workshops, the Designer will review ideas with the Production Manager before creating a first-draft illustration and white card model for a November sharing. Feedback from this session will inform a final colour illustration or scale model. Production planning follows, with up to 8 days' involvement from the Designer during the build phase (Jan 2025), which may include site visits, hands-on work, or video check-ins. The Designer won't lead the build but may be involved within their fixed fee. Fee: £5,000 inclusive of travel expenses Please send a CV with a covering letter with clear examples of relevant work along with a short proposal on how you would approach this commission. Please include a completed monitoring form with your application (available from our vacancies page)Job Summary
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Materials: £6,000 managed The Story Museum during the build phaseUseful Links
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