Website navigation
Museum Redevelopment Champions
Become a Museum Redevelopment Champion and help shape the future of Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Closes 11.59pm, Sunday 26 July
We’re looking for people from Sunderland to help us think about what stories should be told, what objects should be shown and how the Museum can feel more welcoming and relevant to more people.
You don’t need any Museum experience to take part. We’re looking for people with different life experiences, ideas and opinions to make sure that the transformed Museum truly reflects Sunderland, its people, it’s stories and its future.
This is a great opportunity to help build meaningful relationships with the communities of Sunderland and the Museum while learning from and understanding the views of others on the panel and beyond.
Find out more about the Museum Redevelopment project
What will the Museum Redevelopment Champions do?
As a Museum Redevelopment Champion, you will be a part of an exciting co-creation project to help shape the Museum’s transformation. Co-creation is basically a collaboration. We want the Museum to accurately reflect the city and the experiences of our communities – so, we need you to be involved.
The focus of the Museum Redevelopment Champions will be an update to the Twentieth Century gallery and contemporary displays in the Museum. These spaces were last updated during the last major renovation in the 1990s so, this is an exciting opportunity to bring our story up to date.
Object & Story Selection
Choose objects and stories that will feature in our displays and interpretation
Contemporary Collection
Collect loans and donations from Sunderland’s communities relating to specific topics
Improving Navigation
Work with designers and the Museum team to help us plan the venue signage
Improving Accessibility
Make sure that signage and interpretation is clear and there are no physical barriers for visitors making their way through the space
Content Oversight
Writing or reviewing physical and digital content that will feature in the building
FAQs
We want our Museum Redevelopment Champions group to include people with a range of backgrounds, ages, experiences and points of view.
Everyone is welcome to apply. However, we are especially keen to hear from people who may not have always felt included in museums or cultural spaces.
This includes those who:
- Rarely or never visit museums
- Don’t always feel welcome in cultural venues
- Face financial barriers to taking part
- Are from the global majority
- Have experience of the asylum system
- Are neurodivergent or have lived experience of disability
- Identify as LGBTQIA+
- Have caring responsibilities or work in care
- Are aged 50 or over
- Are aged 18-25
We’re also looking for participants with families and have an interest in gardening or horticulture.
If you care about our city and want to help us make the Museum better for the future, apply now.
The only requirements for Museum Redevelopment Champions are that you must:
- Care about Sunderland and have an interest in its people, places, communities and stories. We mean Sunderland in its widest sense, including all wards and neighbourhoods across the city
- Be aged 14 or over. If you are under 18, you will need a parent, carer or responsible adult to attend sessions with you.
- Be able to attend meetings in person
We would be happy to talk about any access needs or adjustments that would help you take part. There are places in our application form to make suggestions, but do get in touch if you would prefer.
The first stage of this project will run from August 2026 until February 2027. There will be a two-hour meeting every two weeks.
There may also be some trips to other museums or cultural venues that may be half-day or full-day commitments.
We know people have holidays, caring responsibilities, work and other commitments. We don’t expect everyone to attend every session, but we hope that Champions will come to as many as they are able to.
The first session will take place on 10 August 2026.
The meeting time will be agreed within the group, based on what works best for most people.
Your travel, expenses and refreshments will be provided. Please get in touch with any questions if you are interested in this opportunity but face financial barriers to participation.
You can apply to become a Museum Redevelopment Champion by completing the application form below.
The deadline for applying is 11.59pm, Sunday 26 July
Alternative application submissions
If you would prefer, you can submit a video or audio recording no more than 10 minutes long that answers all of the application questions.
Upload video/audio applications
Help with applying
If you need help with the application form, we would be happy to have a chat over the phone or arrange a meeting. Please email jenny.mcnamara@sunderland.gov.uk
We will be shortlisting applicants from Monday 27 July and you will be contacted on Friday 31 July about the decision. Please note, that while there are a limited number of Redevelopment Champion spaces available, there will be other opportunities to engage in the museum redevelopment programme.
Regular updates will be posted on our Opportunities page
Application Form
If you’re interested in becoming a Museum Redevelopment Champion, please complete and submit this form by 11.59pm on Sunday 26 July.
There are no right or wrong answers. We want to hear from you in your own words.
You can also apply by sending a short video or audio recording (no more than 10 minutes) answering the questions on this form. If you wish to do so, please see the submission link in the FAQs section above underneath ‘How to apply’.
If you need this form in a different format (for example, large print or audio) or would like help completing it, please contact Jenny McNamara at jenny.mcnamara@sunderland.gov.uk
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens Redevelopment Project is funded by Sunderland City Council with investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Wolfson Foundation and Friends of Sunderland Museums (FOSUMS).
