The Next Gen Pilot Programme is a new initiative at the Museum of Watford designed to bridge the gap between museum theory and professional practice. As the very first group to take part, these participants piloted the programme’s framework, testing which elements worked well and identifying where improvements could be made for future cohorts. They played an integral role in shaping the museum .

The programme was built around a series of workshops covering the core principles of museum work, from collections management and curation to exhibition design, interpretation, and public engagement. To implement these skills, the group worked on a real-world project: developing the first hang of our fine art collection for the museum’s new site.

The focus of their work was the co-curated exhibition, Watford at Work: Hidden Labour. By navigating the full curatorial process - selecting works, researching , defining a "big idea," and writing the interpretation- the group developed an exploration of working life in Watford through the lens of class and gender.
This exhibition will be on display in our new museum, representing the culmination of the skills they developed throughout the pilot.

A massive thanks to our pilot cohort - Aksa, Chloe, Jamie, Khizra, and Kitty - for their creativity and incredible work in bringing this project to life. Hear from the cohort in the video below, the pilot group discusses their experience with the programme.