What we do

About

Our bold ambitions for Birmingham

A member of staff holding a object from the collection with visitors looking at it in the background.

Our mission 

Bring Birmingham out by shining new light on people’s stories, collections and creativity.

Our vision 

A radical reinvention of the museum as a catalyst of cultural and social change.

Our impact on Birmingham 

Birmingham is a vibrant, interconnected city where cultural richness thrives, citizens are empowered, communities find joy and belonging, trust is nurtured, inequalities are diminished, and sustainability and equity are central to our society.

Two men and one female sitting down at a table with food and activities on the table, one man is holding a drink

Communities

There are different ways for you to get involved, from volunteering to community projects and the Welcome Pass Scheme.
The group of Citizens' Jury participants.

Citizens' Jury

We aim to reshape the future of Birmingham's Museums by involving local residents in the decision-making process.
Group of 25 small Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet artefacts

Portable Antiquities Scheme

A voluntary recording scheme for archaeological objects found by members of the public.
A pair of researchers analysing collections items

Dynamic Collections

Transforming the accessibility of our collections through Documentation Detectives and the Voices of the City projects.
A lady wearing blue conservation gloves holding a gold replica Anglo Saxon helmet

Conservation and collections care

Our Conservation Department are responsible for the care of the collections.
A contemporary artwork hanging from the ceiling, made of twisted lines and circles of brightly covered plastic hanging down in the middle.

Research Projects

We are part of a variety of research projects, from the 20/20 Project to Race, Empire & the Pre-Raphaelites, and more.
Black and white photo of people sitting small retro looking tea room with plastic chairs and tables.

Food and Drink Oral History project

Reinterpreting our oral history collections through a public health lens.
A person leaning in to take a closer look at two busts and terrarium that is on open display on warehouse shelves.

The Whitworth Wallis Fellowship

The six-month Fellowship offers an artist the unique chance to develop their practice using the city's collections.
Round Room gallery with statue of Lucifer in the centre and art works displayed on the walls behind.

Experiments

Discover some of our digital experiments in our blog.
A room in a gallery filled with art, a variety of paintings are on the wall and display cases of objects around the edge.

Past projects

Find out about our past projects including StoryLab and Collecting Birmingham.