The National Gallery is embarking on a bold and innovative initiative, inviting the people of the United Kingdom to play a pivotal role in shaping its future. This pioneering five-year project, known as NG Citizens, positions the public at the heart of the Gallery’s decision-making processes.
From programming to long-term priorities, NG Citizens embodies inclusivity, collaboration, and meaningful public engagement like never before.
For the first time, a UK gallery or museum has established a national Citizens’ Assembly, signalling a transformative approach to how cultural institutions engage with the communities they serve. This project not only builds on previously successful regional initiatives but sets a new benchmark for participation on a national scale. It’s a vision of shared stewardship, with citizens helping to define what it means for the National Gallery to truly belong to everyone.
A Groundbreaking Citizens’ Assembly
Central to NG Citizens is the Citizens’ Assembly, a group of 50 individuals selected from across the UK. Using a civic lottery, the Gallery will send 15,000 invitations to households nationwide, ensuring the assembly reflects the incredible diversity of the UK. Participants will include individuals who may never have engaged with the National Gallery before, amplifying voices that are often underrepresented in such cultural spaces.
Once selected, participants will begin their work by reflecting on the Gallery’s purpose, priorities, and public value. They’ll review and debate evidence presented by experts from diverse fields. This dynamic process, facilitated by Involve, a leading public participation charity, ensures that decisions are informed, inclusive, and visionary.
Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, encapsulates the importance of this project, stating, “At the heart of the National Gallery is our stewardship of a collection that belongs to the UK public – our core aim is to bring people and paintings together. NG Citizens marks a bold new chapter in how we do that. By including the public in our decision-making, we hope to ensure the Gallery remains a truly national institution – inclusive, responsive, and shaped by the people it exists for.”
Long-Lasting Collaboration
The work doesn’t end with the Assembly. Building on its recommendations, the Gallery will form a long-term Citizens’ Panel. This panel will continue collaborating with the Gallery over the next five years to implement ideas and foster ongoing public dialogue.
Such sustained collaboration ensures the initiative has a lasting impact, embedding the public voice in the Gallery’s evolving vision. Jane Knowles, Director of Public Engagement at the National Gallery, highlights the project’s transformative potential, saying, “Public engagement is at the core of our purpose as a national institution. This sector-leading Citizens’ Assembly represents a transformative way of working – one that actively involves people in shaping the Gallery’s future. It is a culture-shaping step that deepens our relationship with audiences across the UK and ensures we remain relevant, inclusive, and genuinely reflective of the public we serve.”
Leading the Way in Inclusivity
This national initiative builds upon the Gallery’s track record of partnering with the public in exciting and innovative ways. For instance, the newly transformed Roden Centre for Creative Learning was created with input from children across the UK on both architectural design and programming. Similarly, the Gallery’s augmented reality project, The Keeper of Paintings, was co-created with advisory groups consisting of children, families, and schools. Their contributions shaped everything from character development to gameplay, ensuring the project was truly collaborative.
With NG Citizens, the National Gallery solidifies this commitment to inclusivity by extending participation to a national level, setting a new standard for how cultural organisations engage with their audiences. Steph Draper, interim co-CEO at Involve, underscores the significance of this partnership, stating, “We are excited to see the National Gallery taking a bold, citizens-first approach and are honoured to partner with them on this transformative initiative. By working with the public to foster greater inclusivity, deeper connection, and a more responsive institution, we hope to help set a new standard for how cultural organisations can truly serve everyone, everywhere.”
Shaping the Future of National Institutions
Launching in the wake of the Gallery’s NG200 Bicentenary, this ambitious project marks the start of an exciting new chapter in its third century. NG Citizens isn’t just an experiment in public engagement; it’s a groundbreaking commitment to embedding public voices within the fabric of a national institution.
The Citizens’ Assembly represents a forward-thinking approach to democracy and public participation, demonstrating how cultural organisations can place their audiences at the centre of everything they do. This initiative will not only shape the Gallery’s programming and priorities but also foster trust, inclusivity, and a deeper connection between people and art.
The National Gallery’s leaders understand that true representation and inclusivity require actively engaging with the public, making bold changes in how decisions are approached. Sir Gabriele Finaldi and his team aren’t just reshaping the Gallery’s operations – they’re forging a new path for cultural institutions worldwide, proving that art and heritage belong to everyone, everywhere.
If NG Citizens represents the future of cultural engagement, then the National Gallery has once again proven itself to be not just a custodian of art, but a pioneer of progressive change. Through this initiative, the Gallery invites you to be more than just a visitor – but an active contributor to its evolving story. This is your moment to help shape the identity of one of the UK’s most iconic institutions. Will you be a part of it?