On the 30th January 2025, the residents of Birmingham who took part in this citizens’ jury presented their recommendations from the past four months to the Birmingham Museums Trust leadership team, its stakeholders,  as well as influencers from the broader cultural and heritage sector. 

The citizens’ jury produced 11 ‘roles of the museum’ that reflected their feelings on a museum’s overall purpose, and 20 recommendations on how to move towards museums that work for all. The recommendations were categorised broadly under four themes:

This was the first ever citizens’ jury to take place in a museum in the UK, and we are truly excited to see how other cultural institutions can build on its learnings.

Zak Mensah and Sara Wajid, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust, said:

“This is a significant step forward for Birmingham Museums Trust and a new chapter in the city’s museums story. The Citizens’ Jury has provided us with invaluable insights and a clear direction for the future of our museums, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces that are more inclusive, accessible and relevant to local communities, while reflecting the region’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

“These recommendations will be a cornerstone in our transformation and will guide us as we work to make our museums more accessible, relevant and responsive to the needs of Birmingham’s diverse communities.”

To read the recommendations head over to our report section

Find out more on the Birmingham Museums Trust website

Feature image: Members of the citizens’ jury take part in an opinion line exercise.