We are currently seeking funding to deliver a pilot project that will test and refine the concept for a Derby Crime and Punishment Museum. This pilot will bring together a pop-up exhibition, hands-on workshops, and an immersive escape room experience, all rooted in real stories from Derby’s past. By focusing on genuine local cases, the project will explore crime, justice, and punishment in a way that is engaging, thought-provoking, and accessible to a wide audience.

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The pilot is designed to do more than showcase ideas - it will actively shape the future museum. Through public engagement, feedback, and participation, we will assess what resonates most with visitors and how best to deliver an experience that is interactive, immersive, and emotive. Free elements, including exhibition access and selected activities, will ensure inclusivity, while paid-for elements will also allow us to test how paid experiences could support long-term sustainability.

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Alongside public delivery, the pilot will support research, consultation, and early design development, helping us build a robust, evidence-led case for the full museum. This approach ensures that the final project is not only ambitious, but grounded, viable, and shaped by the people it is created for.​

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To take part in our Crime and Punishment Museum Public Interest Survey click here.

 

If you'd like to read some further history on Derby's crime and punishment history then click here.

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