Reimagining what a gallery can be, with community at the heart

At .. for good, we champion the power of inclusive, community-led work, and few institutions embody this spirit better than The Whitworth Gallery in Manchester. In this report, we explore how this major cultural institution has been breaking new ground in how it serves, collaborates with and learns from its local community.

The Whitworth isn’t just displaying art – it’s redefining what it means to be a public space for people. This research reflects on nearly a decade of bold experimentation, deep listening, and structural change, offering valuable lessons for cultural organisations everywhere.

What Was the Research About?

The report documents and analyses The Whitworth’s approach to becoming a more inclusive, responsive and socially engaged gallery. Specifically, it looks at how the institution:

• Works with local communities and partners

• Embeds equity, diversity and inclusion into its structure and practice

• Uses art and culture as tools for civic dialogue, wellbeing and justice

The work spans the period following the gallery’s major 2015 refurbishment, tracking its transformation from a traditional art institution into a more open, activist cultural space.

At its heart, the research explores how a gallery can become a genuine civic actor – one that doesn’t just reflect society, but helps shape it for the better.

How the Research Was Conducted

The report is the result of  collaborative research between The Whitworth, the University of Manchester, and multiple community partners. It draws on:

• Interviews with staff, artists, activists and community members

• Case studies of key programmes and exhibitions

• Observation and participation in events and projects

• Documentation of strategic decisions, leadership approaches and institutional change

This mixed-methods approach allowed for both reflection and critique, amplifying the voices of those who are too often marginalised by the cultural sector.

Utilising a participatory action research approach, the researchers engaged with just under 100 children and young people from across the local area. They engaged in creative evaluation of the then new ‘Gallery in the Park’ addition, an Anna Gallacio sculpture of a felled London Plane tree.

The children and young people drew maps, took and coded photographs, completed group creative sessions, and drew upon their own lived experiences of poverty, displacement, immigration and belonging. 

What Did the Research Find?

1. The Whitworth as a Civic Institution

The gallery committed to reshaping itself as a civic organisation – one that takes a stand on social justice issues and responds to community needs. This is evident in projects such as Still Parents (focused on baby loss), Traces of Displacement (on forced migration), and the Outdoor Art Club (supporting wellbeing through nature and creativity).

This shift hasn’t just been about programming, but about governance, staffing, and values. Equity is not treated as an add-on, but as central to the institution’s purpose.

2. Co-creation, Not Just Consultation

A standout finding is the gallery’s commitment to co-creation. Instead of simply asking communities for feedback, The Whitworth invites them into the creative process – from curating exhibitions to shaping policies.

This has built trust with local partners, including groups that often feel excluded from mainstream culture – such as Global Majority communities, refugees, and people with lived experience of trauma.

3. Challenging Institutional Norms

The gallery has questioned traditional ideas of authority, expertise and neutrality. It has experimented with leadership models that share power and welcomed critique from within and outside.

Of course, this has involved tensions – particularly around risk, accountability, and sustainability. But the report highlights how openness to challenge has made the organisation more resilient and relevant.

4. Art as a Tool for Change

Perhaps most powerfully, the research shows how art can be a catalyst for difficult conversations, healing, and transformation. The Whitworth doesn’t just present art – it uses it as a platform to address issues like racism, inequality, grief, and climate crisis.

Art is treated not only as a product, but as a process – a way to connect, reflect, and act.

What Are the Implications?

This report is not just about one gallery – it’s a call to action for the wider cultural sector.

Key takeaways include:

• Institutions must move beyond diversity “initiatives” to structurally embed equity and justice

• Co-creation with communities fosters deeper relationships, better outcomes and shared ownership

• Cultural spaces should be brave in taking a stand on social issues, even when it’s uncomfortable

• Long-term investment in partnerships is more valuable than short-term projects

It also raises important questions about how institutions measure success. Rather than attendance figures or media coverage, perhaps the more meaningful metrics are relationships, trust, and impact on people’s lives.

Why It Matters

As austerity, division and inequality continue to shape life in the UK, cultural institutions have a choice: retreat into old models of excellence and exclusivity, or step into their potential as spaces for care, courage and community.

The Whitworth has chosen the latter. And while its journey is still ongoing, this report offers a powerful example of what’s possible when art meets activism and institutions commit to radical change.

At .. for good, we’re inspired by this work and proud to share it. It speaks directly to our belief in research that’s not just about understanding the world, but about changing it – with and for the people who are most affected.