Historic Stewart Farm Strategic Plan
In 2021, Tim worked with the staff of Surrey’s heritage department to craft a new vision for this beautiful historic site. The work included an assessment of the current visitor experience assessment, a staff and stakeholder survey, facilitated sessions with staff. The final Plan articulates a new Mission and Vision for the organization and the strategic goals and actions that will be needed to fulfill the new vision.
“I believe that every heritage organization needs a plan. A good plan is simple, clear and inspirational. And the benefit of successful strategic planning is that everyone aligns around a shared direction.”
Al Mahatta Visitor Experience Master Plan
In 2019, Tim was hired by the Sharjah Museums Department in the United Arab Emirates. The mission – to develop a comprehensive Visitor Experience Plan for the renewal of a remarkable heritage site: Al Mahatta Museum.
Planning and Facilitation
Tim has worked with museums large and small to help them plan their future. His specialties are strategic plans, visitor experience master plans and exhibition plans.
He is a skilled facilitator and knows how to get the best from a group of people – whether they are board members, a group of museum staff or members of the community.
Professional Development Around The World
Recently, Tim has taught exhibition planning and design courses to museum professionals in Ottawa (Canadian Museum of History), Yukon (NWT Heritage), Holland (Fries Museum) and The United Arab Emirates (Sharjah Heritage).
University of Victoria Museum Exhibition Planning and Design Course
Tim teaches a unique 6 day program for the University of Victoria each year. It is an intensive course for anyone who might be involved in an exhibition project. Its purpose is to inspire and to give the participants the tools to make good decisions. The course explores what it takes to create successful exhibitions: how to plan, the principles of interpretation, writing for exhibitions, 3-D and 2-D design, the use of digital technology, and more. Fieldwork, team collaboration and the planning of an exhibition are all part of the experience.
Tim has taught a similar course in the Yukon, Ottawa, Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates. He also teaches an online course at the University of Victoria on interpretive planning.
To find out more: https://continuingstudies.uvic.ca/culture-museums-and-indigenous-studies/courses/exhibition-planning-and-design
Royal BC Museum Visitor Experience Master Plan
In 2007, Tim initiated a significant project in the history of the Royal BC Museum – a comprehensive plan to imagine a new visitor experience. Working with a consultant team led by Andre and Associates, the initiative led to a ‘watershed’ strategy that shaped a new philosophy for the museum – a visitor-centred approach that considers all elements of the visitor experience.
‘Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton’ exhibition
In 2010, the Royal BC Museum presented the North American premiere of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s exhibition celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. As head of Visitor Experience, Tim’s role was part artistic director and part business manager. He sought out exhibitions like this and negotiated their presentation and set the project brief for the Museum’s project team.
Photographs courtesy of Royal BC Museum
Royal BC Museum at Wing Sang
In 2010, The Royal BC Museum had the extraordinary opportunity to showcase itself in Vancouver at a gallery in Chinatown. In less than a year, the Museum team planned, designed, built and installed a 10,000 sq. ft. installation of four feature exhibitions and visitor reception zone. Tim led the interpretive planning process and the creation of the visitor experience. The entire installation was developed for less than $10 per square foot!
Photographs courtesy of Royal BC Museum
‘Behind the Scenes’ exhibition
For most museums only a small proportion of their collections are on display. Under Tim’s leadership, the Royal BC Museum turned the spotlight on its natural history collections creating a major presentation called Behind the Scenes. Thousands of natural history specimens were displayed. Curators and their research were front and centre, and a small spin-off feature exhibition toured for two years around the province.
Photographs courtesy of Royal BC Museum
‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ exhibition
Tim introduced this wildly popular photographic exhibition from the Natural History Museum in London to Canada, first in Alberta and then in British Columbia. The exhibition is a wonderful testament to the power of the still image. Under Tim’s leadership, the backlit version of the exhibition was first shown outside of London in 2011 at the Royal BC Museum. This exhibition received an unprecedented level of visitor satisfaction.
Photographs courtesy of Royal BC Museum
‘Prehistoric Gigantics’ exhibition
A ‘watershed’ project for the Provincial Museum of Alberta – in 1990 Tim proposed a major feature exhibition that would herald a new strategic approach for the Museum. The first to engage both corporate and media partnership, the exhibition was a wild success drawing more than 460,000 visitors and generating over $1million in profit for the Museum.
‘Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC’ exhibition
In 2008, British Columbia celebrated its 150th Anniversary. The province charged the Royal BC Museum to create a flagship project. As Head of Visitor Experience, Tim led the concept development and a large multi-disciplinary team to deliver this massive multi-dimensional program – a major exhibition, two touring exhibitions [by road and rail], on-line public history project, book and array of public programs.
Photographs courtesy of Royal BC Museum
‘Treasures of the World’s Cultures’ exhibition
In 2008, Tim negotiated and led a significant collaboration with the British Museum in London – to exhibit 300 of their collection treasures for the first time in North America. The British Museum provided the objects, the Royal BC Museum team created the interpretive setting.
Photographs courtesy of Royal BC Museum
Address:
2482 Central Avenue
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8S 2S8
Email: timw@timwillis.ca Telephone: 250 893 2300 Web site: timwillis.ca
TimTalks – a series of fascinating presentations about the world of museums in the 21st. century, creating great visitor experiences and much more…
Why Museums Matter
Why do museums matter in the 21st century? In fact, why – in the age of the internet – are more museums being built than ever before? An illustrated tour of museums around the world that are making an impact.
Visitor Experience – Wonder, Storytelling and Powerful Persuasion
Why do some museum visitor experiences have such impact? An illustrated analysis of great museum experiences, this presentation explores the powerful ingredients at work when a great museum experience works its magic.
Planning Exhibitions – An Illustrated Guide to a Process that Works
When exhibition designers discuss the creation of exhibitions, few agree on a process that works well. Tim explores the essential steps of exhibition planning for museums large and small.
And More!
Race to the South Pole
The story of the greatest adventure of all time – the race between Scott and Amundsen to reach the South Pole in 1911. Growing up in the same home town as Scott’s great friend and adventurer Edward Wilson led Tim to a lifelong interest in Antarctic exploration. Great characters, danger in the extreme, inspirational courage, triumph and tragedy – this story has everything!
Desert Solitaire
For close to 20 years, Tim has been taking solo trips into the deserts of the Southwest… and filming the experience! Tim’s take on the experience of the road and the great landscapes of the West is entertaining and thought provoking.
Great Museums of London
An illustrated stroll through the extraordinary museums of London.
With more than 30 years experience in major Canadian museums, Tim offers a range of consulting services.
- Exhibition Planning
- Visitor Experience Master Planning
- Strategic Planning for Museums
- Team Development
- Teaching
- Public speaking
- Workshop facilitation
Tim Willis is one of Canada’s most experienced museum professionals. He led the visitor experience departments of two significant Canadian museums and directed the presentation of more than 100 exhibitions. “I believe that museums can change lives and that this is done through powerful storytelling. My specialty is in helping museums to plan strategically and effectively with the visitor as a central consideration.”
Education
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Wales
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design (Hons.), University of Wales
Appointments and Awards
Lecturer, Exhibition Planning and Design, University of Victoria
Advisory Board Member [2000-06], Arts and Cultural Management Program, MacEwan University, Alberta
One of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People, Venture Magazine [2002]
Maclab Award for Outstanding Manager of the Year in the Arts, Mayor’s Annual Lunch for the Arts, Edmonton, Alberta
Gold Premier’s Award of Excellence, Syncrude Gallery of Aboriginal Culture
Career
2013 to present: Tim Willis, Museum and Exhibitions Consulting
2013 to present: Associate, Storyline Studio, Seattle
2006 – 2013: Vice President, Visitor Engagement and Experience, Royal BC Museum
2003 – 2006: Head of Visitor Experience Renewal, Royal Alberta Museum
1988 – 2003: Director, Exhibitions and Marketing, The Provincial Museum of Alberta
1985 – 1988: Executive Planner, the Provincial Museum of Alberta
1981 – 1984: Senior Planner, Cornerstone Planning Group, Edmonton
1978 – 1981: Consultant, Facility Development Branch, Government of Alberta
Recent Clients
Ottawa Public Library, Ontario
Canadian Museum of History, Ottawa
Sharjah Museums, United Arab Emirates
Museum of Surrey, Surrey, BC
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Yellowknife, NWT
Yukon Transportation Museum
Fries Museum, Netherlands
BC Museums Association
Alberta Museums Association
Royal Alberta Museum
Recent Clients with Storyline Studio
California Science Center, Los Angeles
First Americans Museum, Oklahoma City
Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria, OR
Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle, WA
Washington State History Museum, Tacoma, WA
The Space Needle, Seattle, WA
The Annenberg Foundation, Los Angeles