Event, Europe’s leading design group, has been shortlisted as designer for the $70 million transformation of the International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina, following a global search to identify the best in the exhibition design field. Event’s global expertise has been recognised through the selection process, which has secured it the notable position of the only non US-based practice on the seven-strong shortlist.
The IAAM is to be redeveloped as a world-class visitor destination housed in a new building on Charleston’s waterfront. The symbolic site marks the point at which almost half of North America’s enslaved Africans entered the US. The museum seeks to deliver a new experience which will tell the story of African Americans shaping successive eras of economic, political and cultural development across the globe.
Event is renowned worldwide for delivering stories of historical and political change through interpretative exhibitions which encourage visitor interaction. Key projects have included the design of Belgium’s unique Great War experience In Flanders Fields, which won the Council of Europe’s Museum Prize, and the current masterplanning and design of the prestigious Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, due to open in 2012.
"As the only non American design firm on the shortlist of seven, it is a particular honour to be chosen, " comments James Alexander, Event’s Chief Executive (pictured right).
He continues: "As with any project of this magnitude, the first challenge is to understand the thinking behind the brief and immerse ourselves in the stories that need to be communicated through the museum. This landmark will honour the centuries-long experience of people of African origin in the Americas, presenting us with fantastic material to work with. We are delighted to have our recommendations acknowledged by the selection team, and look forward to developing our ideas for the next stage of the competition."
See also: Kevin Murphy joins Event Communications as Development Director
About Event Communications
Event is recognised as a leader in the field of exhibition, museum and attraction design, with a reputation for outstanding interpretation, innovation, communication and delivery. Founded in 1986 and now Europe’s largest design group focusing on museums and visitor attractions, Event has delivered over 150 major projects in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America and has unparalleled levels of insight, awareness and knowledge in the sector.
As a company, Event provides a complete range of design services including masterplanning, interpretative planning, 3D-design, graphic design and project management. The practice has a wide experience of working with leading architects to deliver unique spatial solutions, both in new build and in historic structures, and in working with curators and collections experts.
Past projects include the award winning galleries at Kelvingrove in Glasgow (often cited as the ‘future of museums’), the Chester Beatty Library (European Museum of Year 2002), Imperial War Museum North, The Clore Gallery in Manchester and The John Murray Archive in Scotland.
Contact: Emily Browne
Camargue Corporate and B2B Communications
T: +44 (0) 20 7636 7366
F: +44 (0) 20 7636 7876
E: ebrowne@camarguepr.com
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