Cities across the West Midlands are bursting with creative talent and institutions and Walsall is no exception. Julie is the collections curator at The New Art Gallery Walsall, a cultural hotspot where art is presented and collected.

The Gallery interprets historic, modern and contemporary art in innovative and challenging ways, welcoming visitors from all over the globe as well as the local areas. Their aim is to increase the understanding and enjoyment of arts and culture through their dynamic exhibition, education and events programme.


Community and human connection is important to Julie who says:

My favourite thing about my job is working with people and putting people at the heart of our collections.

Her day to day work varies from putting together archive displays to discussing future exhibitions with their collections community panel.

The Gallery develops a wide range of activities and events for diverse audiences including schools, colleges, universities, families and community groups.

Community is at the heart of what we do - we work with different members of our community from local artists to care homes and dementia groups.

Julie explains how much The Gallery has to offer, which often surprises people. She says:

It’s comparable with institutions in London and it punches above its weight. It’s a free resource for the people of Walsall.

The Gallery also hosts a series of artists’ residences in their very own Artists’ Studio. They offer development support and opportunities to artists, often from the West Midlands region, in exploring new ways of connecting artists and audiences.