Local 12-member citizens’ panel to be selected by civic lottery to shape Barking’s Galleon Arts Centre, marking London’s first deliberative public approach for an arts venue.
The development of the upcoming Galleon Arts Centre in Barking will be decided by a panel of local people, in a first for the capital.
The Creative Barking & Dagenham initiative, called “Imagine Galleon Together”, will be the first time that an arts space in London has been shaped by the public in a deliberative citizens’ panel.
The panel will be selected by a civic lottery this month, to represent the population of Barking and Dagenham.
The twelve-strong panel will then meet in June 2025 to create an outline plan for the future of Galleon Arts Centre which will be the basis of the centre’s future planning.
The centre was refurbished as an arts centre in 2021 but closed in 2023. It has recently reopened for occasional arts activities and events, organised by a small team of freelance creatives.
The project is a partnership with London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Arts Council England and is led by Sarah Wickens of Creative Barking and Dagenham, working with David Jubb of Citizens in Power and freelance consultant Allegra Galvin.
The ambition is for Galleon Arts Centre to reopen on an independent basis with Arts Council England investment and the support of Barking and Dagenham Council.
The citizens’ panel will have a “people-led decision-making process”, bringing together representative groups of people to deliberate on a particular issue and propose a way forward.
It is based on the model of citizens’ juries and citizens’ assemblies which are much used in Europe, Canada and Australia.
Barking and Dagenham residents can sign up for a chance to be randomly selected. Panel members will receive £200 in shopping vouchers for their time, plus support with childcare or other access costs. Residents can apply to take part using this form.
Local creatives and community groups are invited to share their insights too via a questionnaire. Unwaged people who contribute to advising the panel will be paid £37.50 per hour for their contribution. People can sign up to take part using this form.
Sarah Wickens, director of programme at Creative Barking & Dagenham, said Galleon Arts Centre “will be a much-needed resource for local people to be creative and participate in culture, and importantly it will be designed for and by Barking and Dagenham citizens.”
Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership & Engagement at Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “We’re committed to empowering Barking and Dagenham residents, and I know many residents will want to get involved in this innovative programme at one of the borough’s key creative hubs. Art is about opportunities, and I encourage everyone who wants an opportunity to help shape the Galleon Arts Centre to get involved”.
In the long term, Creative Barking & Dagenham aims to create a permanent citizens’ assembly that could help shape both Galleon Art Centre’s programme and other creative activities in the borough.
