National Gallery’s £250 K. Citizens’ Assembly Sparks Art World Criticism and Conservative Backslash
London’s National Gallery has faced criticism for NG Citizens, a £250,000 citizens’ assembly made up of randomly selected, demographically representative UK residents convened to advise on the museum’s strategic direction through 2029. The group has met five times since its creation about a year ago, but opponents—including Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst—argue it misuses funds and undermines curatorial authority. ArtWatch’s Michael Daley called the initiative “barking mad,” and Evening Standard columnist Melanie McDonagh said it was an “awful idea,” according to reporting cited by The Times of London. The debate comes as the National Gallery’s attendance has not recovered from the pandemic and it faces an £8.2 million deficit, prompting a voluntary exit scheme that reportedly achieved £2 million in savings.
From This Briefing
This story was covered in Van Gogh Returns, and the City’s Art Wars