Image: Shared Future CIC
The initiative will see a jury of randomly selected local people have direct impact on future actions of Birmingham Museums Trust
Thousands of Birmingham residents have received invitations to participate in a new community-driven museum management project.
Birmingham Museums Trust will carry out what it claims is the UK’s first Citizens’ Jury in a museum setting, and its conclusion will have a direct impact on the future actions of Birmingham Museums Trust.
The project directly involves local residents in deciding the future direction of Birmingham’s museums.The Citizens’ Jury will address the question: “What does Birmingham need and want from its museums, now and in the future; and what should Birmingham Museums Trust do to make these things happen?”
Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, Co-CEOs of Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “We believe that Birmingham should have world class museums that we can all be proud of – the museums and the collections belong to the people of Birmingham and we trust our citizens to make decisions about the future. The recommendations made by this Jury will have a direct impact on what we do in the future.”
The initiative will select up to 30 participants through a two-stage lottery process to ensure a representative cross-section of Birmingham’s population. The Jury will meet over six sessions in October and November 2024, combining online and in-person meetings. They will receive £360 in vouchers as compensation for their time.
Social enterprise Shared Future will run the process, with support from DemocracyNext as an advisor and critical friend. An Oversight Panel will ensure the process adheres to best practice principles.
