Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery asks: what makes a world-class museum?

The museum in the heart of Truro has spent two years reshaping itself, and it now wants to know what you think should come next. Anyone with a view on Cornwall’s heritage, whether they visit regularly or have never been through the doors, is being asked to help design the final piece of the puzzle.

A new journey through the whole museum

Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery is opening a consultation on the final phase of its development, and the plans cover the building end to end. The proposals set out a new visitor journey through the whole museum, with upgrades to the galleries alongside changes to the café and shop, and new learning spaces built for everyone. That includes the 4,000 school-aged children who come through each year.

The museum has been transforming its spaces since 2023. There has been extensive internal work on the galleries and the visitor experience, plus external work to secure the roof and open up the entrance. Earlier this year the museum said it had welcomed more than 50,000 visitors in its last financial year, an increase of more than 50% on the numbers before the transformation started.

This opening stage of the final works, covering design and feasibility, is backed by £440,000 of initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by National Lottery players.

Tell Us Tuesdays

An online consultation is now open to everyone, and the museum is encouraging people to share what they want from its next chapter. There is also an in-person option. On Tuesdays throughout August the museum is running “Tell Us Tuesdays”, informal drop-in sessions where people can talk to the team, give feedback and look over the proposed designs.

Bryony Robins, Co-Director at the museum, said: “Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery exists for our communities, for our young people and for all visitors that want to connect with Cornwall’s heritage and enjoy cultural experiences. We’re building Cornwall’s national museum, and this is an important moment for people to tell us what a world-class museum means to them.”

Emma Gibson, Programming and Engagement Manager, added: “We’re really welcoming the views of both visitors and non-visitors during this consultation process. We want to understand how the museum can be shaped around the needs, interests and aspirations of our communities, from programming and access to the proposed designs for the internal works. Tell Us Tuesdays is a genuine open call for views, and we encourage anyone with an interest in Cornwall’s heritage, culture and future museum experience to take part.”

What the transformation has done so far

The museum’s five-year impact report puts some numbers on the change. Beyond the rise in visitors, it has reached more than 17,200 school-aged children across Cornwall, sending out more than 200 loan boxes to schools to support classroom learning.

Volunteers have put in 23,900 hours on research, collections care and welcoming visitors. And the transformation programme has delivered £5.412 million of investment into the museum, with an estimated total economic impact of £8.118 million for the local economy and supply chain.

The museum is asking visitors, non-visitors, families, schools, community groups and anyone with an interest in Cornwall’s heritage to take part. You can take the survey online here, or drop in on a Tuesday in August.

An Annual Pass to Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery costs £10, and members and Under 18s go free.