The Challenge

In 2018, we are engaged in a search with the Natural History Museum of Denmark, based in Copenhagen. The museum is part of the University of Copenhagen which, whilst it has world leading natural science collections and is actively engaged in path breaking research, felt it could do a lot more to engage a broad public audience. The museum was embarking on a major capital project to unite the collections in single site in the centre of the city and we have been seeking a director of public engagement to take the lead on developing the content for the new galleries and exhibition spaces.

Our approach and success

This was seen as an opportunity for a truly global search which we ran from London – seeking the sector leaders in public programmes and exhibition design from across the natural and physical science museums and wider institutions with 3D collections. The role was seen as highly interesting and a special opportunity – with many noting it could be someone’s calling card for the rest of their career. We had interest globally with a number of candidates from North America, Europe and Australasia. The appointed candidate was Juliette Frisch, previously undertaking a similar role at the Peabody Essex Museum in the US and having worked before that at the V&A in London leading a major gallery restoration.