V&A East and Norwich Castle Compete for Top Museum Honor
The V&A East Storehouse, National Gallery, and Norwich Castle are finalists for the prestigious £120,000 Art Fund Museum of the Year award, highlighting innovation across the UK museum sector.
V&A East Storehouse, National Gallery, and an accessible castle in Norwich are among the contenders for this year's Art Fund museum of the year award, the most prestigious UK prize in the sector.
The annual prize offers the winner £120,000, with £20,000 going to each of the other finalists, who the Art Fund's director, Jenny Waldman, said had all "innovated in different ways".
The V&A East Storehouse in London, the National Gallery, and the Box in Plymouth and the Fitzwilliam in Cambridge are also shortlisted for the £120,000 award, which recognizes the most innovative and impactful museums in the UK.
The V&A East Storehouse is a new museum set to open in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2024. It will showcase the V&A's diverse collection and offer behind-the-scenes access to the institution's conservation and research work.
Norwich Castle, a historic 12th-century keep that has undergone a £13.5m revamp to make it more accessible, is also in the running. The project has transformed visitor experiences, including a new staircase and lift access to upper floors.
The National Gallery in London is recognized for its ambitious digital innovation during the pandemic, including a series of acclaimed online exhibitions and virtual tour experiences that engaged millions globally.
The Box in Plymouth and the Fitzwilliam in Cambridge round out the shortlist, with the former celebrated for its inclusive community programming and the latter for its acclaimed exhibitions and collections.
The winner will be announced on July 5th, with the prize money intended to help the museum "strengthen its work and welcome even more visitors", according to the Art Fund.
"This year's finalists have all innovated in different ways, from creating new spaces and experiences for visitors to developing ambitious digital programs that have reached audiences worldwide," said Jenny Waldman, the Art Fund's director.
The Art Fund Museum of the Year award is considered the most prestigious museum prize in the UK, celebrating the most innovative and influential institutions across the country. The winner will be announced in a ceremony on July 5th.
Source: The Guardian
