The National Gallery in London is establishing a panel of ordinary people who will be invited to contribute to the museum’s future. People from all four nations of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) will be invited to help shape the National Gallery’s tomorrow under a pioneering five-year partnership called NG Citizens. This is the first time a U.K. gallery or museum has established a nationwide citizens’ assembly, although it is not a first: in fact, the project follows on from previous regional initiatives, such as the Birmingham Museums Citizens’ Jury, and aims to demonstrate how museums can engage the public in new ways.
By placing the public at the center of its decision-making process, the National Gallery aims to shape its programs and priorities according to the needs and aspirations of communities across the United Kingdom, with the goal of building meaningful and lasting connections. The project will begin with a citizens’ assembly of 50 participants, selected through a civic lottery. Invitations will be sent to 15,000 households across the United Kingdom; the final group will reflect the broad diversity of the country, including people who have never dealt with the museum before. They will be invited to reflect on the National Gallery’s purpose, priorities, and public value, drawing on data provided by the museum.
NG Citizens will be facilitated by Involve, a leading U.K. public participation charity with more than 20 years of experience in designing and implementing public engagement projects. Involve has worked with governments, civil society, and national institutions to create innovative forms of bottom-up participation with the aim of revitalizing democracy and improving decision-making processes. Involve is collaborating with Sortition Foundation, which specializes in civic lotteries and will recruit Assembly members.
Based on the Assembly’s recommendations, a long-term Citizens’ Committee will continue to work with the National Gallery to develop and fine-tune new ideas. This structure ensures that the public’s voice is integrated not only now, but also in all of the museum’s decision-making processes over the next five years.
The National Gallery in London has a strong tradition of developing projects and programs in collaboration with the public. Recently, schools and charities have consulted children on both the architectural features and programming of the recently renovated Roden Centre for Creative Learning. The museum has also taken a co-creation approach to its augmented reality project, The Keeper of Paintings, part of the “Keeperverse,” working with children’s advisory groups, families and schools across the country. Their input shaped every aspect, from narrative themes to character development to gameplay.
Launched on the heels of the museum’s bicentennial, NG Citizens, the museum notes, “represents a bold step toward audience participation, solidifying the National Gallery as a pioneer in audience inclusion and setting a new standard for how national cultural institutions interact with the people they serve.”
Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, said, “At the heart of the National Gallery is our stewardship of a collection that belongs to the public of the United Kingdom-our main goal is to bring people and paintings together. NG Citizens marks a bold new chapter in how we achieve this goal. By including the public in our decision-making process, we hope to ensure that the museum remains an authentically national institution: inclusive, responsive and shaped by the people for whom it exists.”
Jane Knowles, Director of Public Engagement at the National Gallery, added, “Public engagement is at the heart of our goal as a national institution. This industry-leading Citizens’ Assembly represents a transformative way of working that actively involves people in shaping the future of the museum. It is a step that shapes culture, deepens our relationship with audiences across the UK, and ensures that we remain relevant, inclusive, and authentically representative of our target audiences. This is not a consultation, it’s a collaboration.”
“We are thrilled to see the National Gallery take a bold, citizen-centric approach and are honored to partner with them on this transformative initiative,” said Steph Draper, Interim Co-CEO of Involve. “By working with the public to foster greater inclusivity, deeper connection and a more responsive institution, we hope to help set a new standard on how cultural organizations can truly serve everyone, everywhere.”
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| London's National Gallery will involve the public in decision-making processes |
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