Following a successful funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund Dynamic Collections fund we are looking to expand the scope of what we do and to recruit some new panel members with an interest in our Collections and in making them accessible to the widest possible audience.
Together we have explored LGBTQ+ lives through our Collections, and our current project looks at Class and Identity. In 2024 we are due to focus on disability, neurodiversity and mental health.
We are looking for local people with a range of lived experiences to help us reflect and represent the people of Walsall with our Collections displays, to select the works they want to see exhibited, and the events they would like to accompany the exhibition programme. Join us to have your say on the Collections you own!
The panel meet roughly monthly, both in-person and online. You can join remotely or attend sessions at the Gallery. It is very flexible, and dates for meetings and events are decided democratically as a group. We are friendly and meetings are informal and welcoming. No knowledge/experience of art necessary! Just bring your own lived experiences! Panel members can choose to remain anonymous, and contribute as little or as much as you like or are able to. A nominal fee is given for attendance at meetings, or for contributions at events etc.
It’s a great way to meet new people from diverse walks of life, have active discussions and do advocacy work on topics important to you, get helpful work experience opportunities, and keep active for wellbeing.
If you are interested in exploring our Collections as part of this co-production project, or to find out more, please get in touch with our Collections Curator, Julie via julie.brown@walsall.gov.uk or by calling 01922 654419 to arrange an informal chat, either in person, over the phone, or online.