A growing network of local people is helping shape Hereford’s new museum and art gallery through an ambitious co-production and consultation programme.
Co-production panels have been meeting since early 2025 with over 60 people from across the county already involved. Their discussions are having a tangible impact on the designs for the redeveloped museum and art gallery. Together they are helping ensure the new museum and art gallery reflects the diversity of the county and is rooted in the lives, identities, and creativity of the people it serves.
Panels representing young people; people with disabilities; LGBTQ+ communities; people from ethnic minority backgrounds; gypsy, roma and traveller perspectives; and veterans and military families have been set up. There’s also a panel made up of teachers who are helping to shape learning resources and support meaningful engagement with schools.
The response has been fantastic; however, the museum team acknowledges that more work is needed to ensure full and balanced representation across all panels.
There are still places available on several panels. In particular, the team welcomes interest from:
- Black, Asian, Polish, Romanian and Lithuanian residents
- Young people aged 16–25, from all backgrounds
- Veterans and members of military families
- People with lived experience of disability
- Teachers from all types of educational settings
The time commitment required is only around one or two hours each month.
Damian Etheraads, Museum and Art Gallery Lead at Herefordshire Council, says:
This is more than a building project, it’s about creating a destination that feels open, welcoming, and relevant to everyone. The voices of local people are helping us get there - and they’re shaping everything from the stories we tell to the spaces we create. We want to be honest about where we’re strong - and where we still need help. If you don’t see yourself reflected in the new museum yet, we want to hear from you. There’s still time to get involved.
Anyone interested in joining a panel or finding out more is encouraged to email herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk
Support is available to ensure everyone can take part in a way that works for them.