A bold experiment has been taking place in Nottingham, where a 40-member citizens' assembly is shaping the future of New Art Exchange (NAE), the UK's largest gallery dedicated to African, Caribbean and south Asian artists. This unprecedented move marks what may be the world's first cultural institution to hand over permanent leadership to a citizen-run body.
Residents from Hyson Green, an area with some of the highest deprivation rates in the country, have taken charge of NAE, bringing their diverse perspectives to the table. With 52 languages spoken among its members, this community-driven approach has resulted in significant changes at the gallery.
One notable decision made by the assembly was the removal of a street gallery that some found intimidating and off-putting. Instead, efforts were focused on creating a welcoming space for visitors, including a revamped cafe. This shift has led to an increase in overall engagement, with visitor numbers rising by 22% since the assembly took over.
Another area of focus has been promoting events that bring people together, such as poetry and DJ nights, which have drawn large crowds. The assembly's efforts have also led to recommendations for later opening times and greater support for young artists.
While some may question the effectiveness of these citizen-led initiatives, results so far suggest a significant impact on NAE's operations and community engagement. The gallery's executive director, Saad Eddine Said, believes that collective knowledge and diverse perspectives have strengthened his team.
As this experiment gains attention, other cultural institutions are beginning to explore similar approaches. With the success of NAE's citizens' assembly, it appears that power and decision-making may be shifting towards those who know best – the communities being served.
Residents from Hyson Green, an area with some of the highest deprivation rates in the country, have taken charge of NAE, bringing their diverse perspectives to the table. With 52 languages spoken among its members, this community-driven approach has resulted in significant changes at the gallery.
One notable decision made by the assembly was the removal of a street gallery that some found intimidating and off-putting. Instead, efforts were focused on creating a welcoming space for visitors, including a revamped cafe. This shift has led to an increase in overall engagement, with visitor numbers rising by 22% since the assembly took over.
Another area of focus has been promoting events that bring people together, such as poetry and DJ nights, which have drawn large crowds. The assembly's efforts have also led to recommendations for later opening times and greater support for young artists.
While some may question the effectiveness of these citizen-led initiatives, results so far suggest a significant impact on NAE's operations and community engagement. The gallery's executive director, Saad Eddine Said, believes that collective knowledge and diverse perspectives have strengthened his team.
As this experiment gains attention, other cultural institutions are beginning to explore similar approaches. With the success of NAE's citizens' assembly, it appears that power and decision-making may be shifting towards those who know best – the communities being served.
. I mean, I love reading about NAE's new direction and all, but trying to engage with others on the forum is just a total slog. Can't we just have a proper discussion thread without having to wade through 10 pages of irrelevant posts first? 
And another thing, why can't we post images or videos like everyone else? 
It feels so out of touch with the rest of the net.
And I love that they're focusing on creating a welcoming space for visitors, promoting events that bring people together... all that jazz. It's like they're actually trying to make a difference 
. Can we get more of this kind of community-driven thinking here? 
has anyone been to NAE yet? should def check it out 
how awesome is it when ppl from the community get to shape the future of a cultural inst like this?? i mean its not just about bringing in new ideas but also hearing out what the ppl who are affected by the art and events really want...like 22% increase in visitors since they took over is no joke 
and promoting events that bring people together sounds like a total game changer 
btw i think its great that the executive director is acknowledging the value of the citizens' assembly's input, it shows he actually cares about what they have to say 
40 members from that area are now running a gallery thats meant to celebrate art & culture from diverse backgrounds... I mean its a big change but I guess its kinda cool that they're putting their own spin on things 
. I just wonder if this experiment will work out in the long run or if it'll be a flash in the pan 
.
It's like, we're always talking about how important it is to listen to our neighbors, but what happens when you actually put that into practice? 
And let's be real, who better to decide how a gallery should be run than the people who actually live in that community?
It's a game-changer, in my opinion!
It's all about bringing people together and creating a community vibe.
the 22% increase in visitor numbers is pretty sweet too 
. It's like they say, those who know best should be in charge 
. Maybe other cultural institutions will take note and make some changes themselves 
.
? What makes these residents qualified to lead a gallery that features works by artists from diverse backgrounds? Are they even familiar with the art world or is this just a case of community-driven populism? 