From next month, invitations will be sent to 15,000 households across the UK. Using a ‘civic lottery’ 50 participants will be chosen to take part in the process. From these, 20 individuals will form the citizens’ panel, committing to advise the museum over the next five years.
A statement from the gallery emphasises places audiences at the heart of its decision-making. 'The gallery aims to shape its programmes and priorities around the needs and aspirations of communities across the UK,' the statement says, adding that the final group will reflect the wide diversity of the UK. However, this move move has also sparked further questions about the governance and reach of UK museums.
Beyond citizens’ assemblies – Engaging communities through forums
The citizens’ assembly model is just one of many ways museums can strengthen ties with their communities. Another approach is the community forum – structured public gatherings that foster inclusive, open dialogue on issues of shared concern.
To support museums in hosting such forums, NEMO has recently published ‘Fostering dialogue in divisive times – A guide for museums regarding engagement with community forums on climate action’. The guide equips museums with practical strategies to facilitate respectful, informed conversations, balancing reliable information with dynamic, participatory discussion. While focused on climate action, the approach can be adapted to address topics ranging from governance to education and public health.
Community forums empower museums to act not only as custodians of heritage, but also as active facilitators of civic life – helping to strengthen community resilience and encourage well-informed public participation. The guide offers both:
- A theoretical framework grounded in research and case studies
- A step-by-step toolkit (pages 19–21) for planning and delivering impactful forums
By combining innovative governance experiments like NG Citizens with participatory tools such as community forums, museums can reimagine their role as platforms for dialogue, inclusion, and shared decision-making.
