Becoming an Institution of the Commons: Giulia Gregnanin, Director and Curator, on the radical redevelopment of Timespan in the Scottish Highlands and how they are reimagining the museum as an Institution of the Commons, where cultural space is shaped collectively
Museums are undergoing a fundamental shift, moving away from inherited institutional structures that reinforce dominant narratives towards models that prioritise collective authorship, redistribution, and social action. At Timespan in the Scottish Highlands, we intend to be at the forefront of this transformation. For nearly four decades, as a small but ambitious museum, we have used our holistic model—blending heritage, contemporary art, and social action—to challenge extractive histories and propose diverse forms of participation. Now, through a radical redevelopment, we are taking the next step: reimagining ourselves as an Institution of the Commons, where cultural space is shaped collectively.
Françoise Vergès, in A Programme of Absolute Disorder: Decolonizing the Museum (Pluto Press, 2024), argues that decolonising museums requires more than expanding representation—it demands a structural undoing of inherited institutional models. Taking inspiration from her critique of the “universal museum” and its complicity in colonial extraction, we reject the notion of a neutral, authoritative institution. Instead, we position ourselves as a shared resource, actively engaging in justice-oriented museum practices that redistribute power, knowledge, and agency. This transformation is not about inclusion within existing frameworks but about dismantling and reassembling them in ways that acknowledge historical injustices and create new forms of cultural stewardship.
We reject the notion of a neutral, authoritative institution. Instead, we position ourselves as a shared resource, actively engaging in justice-oriented museum practices that redistribute power, knowledge, and agency
At the centre of this transformation is an architectural project that will redefine our physical and conceptual frameworks. In September 2024, thanks to the support of Museum Galleries Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, our transformative ambitions became possible. We launched a nationwide competition to reimagine our building as a more cohesive, accessible, and sustainable space. Assemble and Office Corr Higgins were selected to lead a feasibility study, embedding our research into climate justice, colonial legacies, and local histories into the very fabric of our institution. In this process, architecture is not merely functional—it becomes an active tool in unsettling traditional power structures and fostering a collective cultural space.
The Site as a Living Archive of Labour and Displacement
Our building—a former herring curing yard—embodies Helmsdale’s history of forced displacement and industrial labour. The modern village was planned in 1814 as a resettlement for communities forcibly cleared from the surrounding straths to make way for sheep farming. Fishing was imposed as their new livelihood, and Helmsdale grew into one of the largest herring ports in Europe. Our site, originally built for curing and processing herring, was central to this industry, where for much of the 19th and 20th centuries, hundreds of women gutted fish for the local and transatlantic trade. These entangled histories of displacement, migration, and gendered labour remain central to our approach today.
Since our inception in 1986, we have continually evolved, with a gallery added in 1996 and a major redevelopment in 2007 introducing a public archive, workshop spaces, and a contemporary art exhibition programme. However, the limitations of our current infrastructure now pose barriers to our ambitions. Becoming an Institution of the Commons requires a built environment that enables shared ownership, knowledge production, and inclusive participation.
Architecture as a Tool for Institutional Change
The redevelopment of our building began with an open tender, facilitated by RIAS Consultancy, to find an architectural approach that balances local needs with global ambitions. Out of 38 applications, five shortlisted teams participated in site visits and consultations with our community, ensuring the process remained inclusive and participatory. Ultimately, Assemble and Office Corr Higgins were selected for their interdisciplinary and socially engaged approach, which aligns closely with our vision of creating a museum that is not only accessible but also responsive to the needs of our community and the broader social and environmental challenges we face. Assemble and Office Corr Higgins understand that museums are not just buildings, but civic spaces shaped by those who use them. Their approach ensures that we will remain locally rooted while addressing broader social and environmental concerns.
We are embedding participatory design into the redevelopment process. Our goal is not just to build a better museum, but to establish new models for shared cultural stewardship
Our commitment to environmental justice extends beyond reducing our carbon footprint. The study will explore the use of local materials and craftspeople, reinforcing a circular economy while reducing embedded emissions. It will also investigate alternative energy solutions and sustainable construction methods, ensuring long-term resilience.
Physical and intellectual accessibility are at the core of the redesign. Beyond improving mobility access, we are rethinking exhibition formats and digital engagement strategies to ensure that our institution serves a broad spectrum of audiences, including those historically excluded from cultural spaces.
We are embedding participatory design into the redevelopment process through community workshops, surveys, and collaborative decision-making frameworks. Our goal is not just to build a better museum, but to establish new models for shared cultural stewardship.
In March 2025, the first round of consultations gathered intergenerational groups from the Helmsdale community, including young people, to envision our future. Parallel to this, an online survey extended the discussion to diasporic communities with historical ties to the region. This process ensures that the redevelopment reflects the lived experiences and aspirations of those who use the space.
Reframing Our Collections and Narratives
Our physical transformation is accompanied by a fundamental rethinking of our collections and interpretation strategies. Supported by Esmée Fairbairn funding, we have been conducting a radical review of our collection and archival holdings, reinterpreting objects through the lens of climate crisis, colonial legacies, and labour histories. This process challenges the conventional role of rural museums as static repositories of the past, instead positioning us as a site of active historical inquiry and contemporary relevance.
The exhibition Red Herrings by Joanne Coates exemplifies this shift. The project, developed through archival and field research, investigates women’s labour, class solidarity, and economic migration through the history of the Gutting Girls. This approach underscores our commitment to using art and heritage as tools for critical reflection and social justice.
Unfolding the Future
By mid-2025, we will present the feasibility study’s findings, marking the transition from planning to implementation. Securing funding will be an ongoing challenge, but we remain committed to ensuring that this transformation is not merely architectural—it is a redefinition of what a museum can be.
Our evolution reflects broader questions facing the sector: How can museums move beyond extractive models of cultural production? What does it mean for a museum to belong to its communities rather than simply serve them? As we reimagine ourselves as an Institution of the Commons, we do not claim to have definitive answers. Instead, we approach these questions as an ongoing process—one grounded in shared resources, collective knowledge, and a commitment to radical accessibility.
Giulia Gregnanin
Director and Curator, Timespan
Giulia Gregnanin is speaking at Museum Ideas 2025 in London. Explore how museums can be reimagined as co-created, people-focussed organisations in a time of growing inequality, environmental emergency and political crisis. Join us on 17 September to connect with colleagues from across the world, share meaningful discussions, and explore the ideas shaping the future of museums
