The National Gallery in London is transforming its governance model by introducing a citizens\u2019 assembly made up of members of public from across the UK. The new initiative, titled NG Citizens, will create a panel to advise the national museum on its future policy and direction.<\/p>\n
From next month, invitations will be sent out to 15,000 households across the UK. Fifty participants will then be selected via a \u201ccivic lottery\u201d\u2014a selection technique used to draw a representative sample of citizens. The next stage will involve selecting 20 individuals who will sit on the citizens\u2019 panel over the next five years.<\/p>\n
A statement from the gallery says the move places audiences at the heart of its decision-making. \u201cThe gallery aims to shape its programmes and priorities around the needs and aspirations of communities across the UK,\u201d the statement says, adding that the final group will reflect the wide diversity of the UK.<\/p>\n
Maurice Davies, a UK museums consultant, responded positively to the news, branding it a \u201cgenerally good thing\u201d. He tells The Art Newspaper: \u201cI think it probably is quite radical for a London national museum, especially one as traditionally part of the establishment as the National Gallery\u2026 But is the gallery actually changing its governance model or is it more sophisticated audience research?\u201d<\/p>\n
The move has also sparked further questions about the governance and reach of UK museums. Guillaume Cerutti, the former chief executive of Christie\u2019s, wrote on LinkedIn: \u201c[The initiative] highlights a fundamental question facing all museums: how can cultural institutions remain relevant and accessible in an increasingly fractured world? <\/p>\n
\u201cTo this extent, reaching out to non-visitors and democratising access are essential priorities. But I don\u2019t think a citizens\u2019 assembly of 50 participants selected by a civic lottery is the right way to achieve this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Writing in The London Standard, the cultural commentator Melanie McDonagh said: \u201cI do not want the National Gallery to be asking a selection of individuals including those with no knowledge of art or who lack cultural formation of any kind to be deciding on the exhibitions I go to or on acquisitions.\u201d However, a National Gallery spokesperson has confirmed that the new assembly will not directly choose exhibitions or works of art, but will produce recommendations\u00a0on the gallery\u2019s purpose, priorities and public value.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese recommendations will shape real decisions\u00a0about how the gallery operates, including how it shares its collection and welcomes visitors. The gallery is committed to responding transparently\u00a0and integrating assembly insights into its strategy and future programming,\u201d the spokesperson adds.<\/p>\n
Jane Knowles, the gallery\u2019s director of public engagement,\u00a0adds in a statement: \u201cIt 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. This isn\u2019t a consultation, it\u2019s a collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n