As the Young People's Programmes Manager at the National Portrait Gallery, I set up and have managed the Gallery's Youth Forum for the past eight and a half years. The members recently described themselves to the new Director as 'the engine room'! They act as a peer-led advisory panel for the Gallery, being regularly consulted by internal staff as well as pro-actively hosting their own events including monthly Pick up a Pencil: Drop-in drawing sessions for ages 14-21 with a guest artist, and the annual Young People's Private View for the BP Portrait Award: Next Generation project. A small group of members have also formed a Youth Crew to document events and to participate in Teen Twitter Takeover Day. Another group are training up to deliver their own tours on Van Dyck's self-portrait and will be participating in Museum Takeover Day.

Check out the National Portrait Gallery Youth Forum Facebook here