Gallery Walk
A facilitation technique where outputs, ideas, or prompts are displayed on the walls like a gallery exhibition. Participants circulate at their own pace, reading, adding sticky note comments, and dot-voting on items. It replaces lengthy group presentations with a more active and democratic engagement format.
How to run it
- 1
Post outputs, ideas, or question prompts on large sheets of paper around the room — one per station.
- 2
Give participants sticky notes, markers, and voting dots.
- 3
Explain the task: circulate through the gallery, read each sheet, add comments or questions on sticky notes, and place dots on items you find most important or compelling.
- 4
Allow 15–25 minutes for self-paced exploration.
- 5
Bring the group back together to debrief the themes that emerged.
- 6
Use the dot clusters to identify the highest-priority items for discussion.
Tips
Include a prompt on each station so participants know what to do there (e.g.
'Add what's missing' or 'Vote for the most important risk').
For large groups, start at different stations to avoid crowding.
Label each station clearly.
Variations
Run a 'Rotating Stations' variant where small groups rotate together (carousel style). For remote sessions, use a digital whiteboard with image cards instead of physical posters.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Gallery Walk?â–¾
Use Gallery Walk when you want to: Sharing workshop outputs; Collaborative sense-making; Prioritisation after brainstorming; Conference and event formats.
How long does Gallery Walk take?â–¾
Gallery Walk typically takes 20–45 minutes.
How many participants does Gallery Walk work for?â–¾
Gallery Walk works best for groups of 6–60 participants.
What materials do I need for Gallery Walk?â–¾
To run Gallery Walk you will need: flip charts or poster paper, markers, sticky notes, wall space.
How difficult is Gallery Walk to facilitate?â–¾
Gallery Walk is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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