NG Citizens
About
The National Gallery’s collection of 2,600 paintings belongs to everyone, everywhere.
NG Citizens is a new, UK-wide project, inviting people from all four corners of the nation to consider this important question:
What do you want from the UK’s National Gallery? How can it bring people and paintings together in authentic and meaningful ways, now and in the future?
This is the first time a UK gallery or museum has convened a national Citizens’ Assembly, and it forms part of a five-year project to put the public at the heart of our decision-making.
What is NG Citizens?
NG Citizens is a Citizens’ Assembly made up of fifty people from the UK aged 16 and over, chosen by civic lottery from 15,000 invited households. Across five sessions, they will learn, deliberate, and make recommendations on the Gallery’s future.
The Assembly’s recommendations will directly inform how we welcome our visitors, share our paintings, and plan for the future. Their work will also feed into a smaller Citizens’ Panel, which will continue to work with us over the long term, helping to shape our direction for the next five years.
Who is involved?
- The National Gallery – home to over 2,600 paintings kept in trust for the UK public.
- Involve – the UK’s public participation charity, designing and facilitating the Assembly.
- Sortition Foundation – specialists in civic lotteries, recruiting participants by lottery.
Key Dates
The Citizens’ Assembly will meet on the following dates:
- Session 1: 15 November 2025
- Session 2: 6 December 2025
- Session 3: 24 January 2026
- Session 4: 7 February 2026
- Session 5: 28 March 2026
Share your vision
Not everyone who expresses interest can take part in NG Citizens, but we still want to hear from you.
In just three words, what kind of Gallery would you like to see?
Your words will feature at the first Assembly session, inspiring participants as they begin their conversations.
Questions?
For any media enquiries about NG Citizens please contact:
The National Gallery Press Office: press.external@nationalgallery.org.uk
Saffron Bowdler, Communications Manager: saffron.bowdler@nationalgallery.org.uk