ONE OF Cornwall’s leading museums is inviting people across the Duchy to help shape the final phase of its development by sharing their views online or in person.

Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery’s final phase of transformation proposes a new visitor journey through the whole museum, encompassing upgrades to galleries as well as the museum café and shop, and new learning spaces for all, including the 4,000 school-aged children who visit the museum each year.

An online consultation is now open to all, with everyone encouraged to take part and share what they would like to see from the museum’s next chapter. People can also visit the museum on Tuesdays throughout August for “Tell Us Tuesdays”, where the in-person consultation sessions will offer an informal opportunity to speak to the team, provide feedback and view the proposed designs.

The venue in Truro’s River Street has been undergoing renovations to its spaces since 2023, with extensive internal works on its visitor experience and galleries, as well as external works to secure the roof and open up the museum entrance. Earlier this year, the museum announced it had welcomed more than 50,000 visitors in its last financial year - an increase of more than 50% since before the transformation began.

This initial phase of the final development works to scope designs and feasibility is funded with £440,000 of initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Museum co-director Bryony Robins 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.”

Programming and engagement manager Emma Gibson added: “We really welcome 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. We encourage anyone with an interest in Cornwall’s heritage, culture and future museum experience to take part.”

Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery’s five-year impact report highlights some of the benefits to the transformation that has taken place so far. Beyond the increase in visitor numbers, the museum has reached more than 17,200 school-aged children across Cornwall, with more than 200 loan boxes distributed to schools to support classroom learning.

Volunteers have contributed 23,900 hours supporting vital research, caring for collections and helping to create a welcoming experience for visitors. And the transformation programme delivered £5.412 million of investment into the museum, generating an estimated total economic impact of £8.118 million for the local economy and supply chain.

The museum is encouraging visitors, non-visitors, families, schools, community groups and anyone with an interest in Cornwall’s heritage to take part and help shape the final phase of the development.

Take the survey online here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YBL7MQ8.