UK museums are increasingly turning to citizens' assemblies to involve the public in shaping institutional policy and direction. The National Gallery in London launched its NG Citizens panel in 2024, following Birmingham Museums Trust's 2024 citizens' jury of 26 local residents. The Imperial War Museum and London's Migration Museum have also announced plans for similar assemblies. The National Gallery's panel, formed through a civic lottery of 15,000 invited households, will meet from November 2025 to March 2026 to develop recommendations on the gallery's purpose, priorities, and public value—though it will not directly select exhibitions or acquisitions.
This trend matters because it represents a shift toward democratic decision-making in cultural institutions, which advocates argue can increase public trust and agency. Lucy Reid of Democracy Next notes that museums, as relatively trusted institutions, can model inclusive governance. However, the approach has drawn criticism from cultural commentators like Melanie McDonagh, who worry that participants without art expertise could influence curatorial and acquisition decisions. The outcome could set a precedent for how publicly funded museums engage with diverse audiences and balance expertise with public input.