Young people were identified as a target audience for a renewed gallery after research with non-users highlighted that existing displays were confusing and inaccessible. The museum worked with young people to completely re-imagine what stories the world art collection might tell. It is a designated collection comprising 13,000 objects from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas.

The museum worked with existing young people’s groups, each focusing on a particular project. ‘Museum Collective’, a young people’s advisory group, was created to provide an overview linking the separate elements together. A youth support worker seconded from the local authority ensured the young people were supported.

Seven stories emerged which became the themes for the new gallery. Interpretation created by the young people is present in each story through the selection of display objects, audio-visual interpretation, and creative responses.