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We're shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year

We're thrilled to announce that we're shortlisted for Art Fund's Museum of the Year award 2026, the world's largest museum prize.

Every year, Art Fund shortlists five outstanding museums to recognise inspiring projects and activity in UK museums, celebrating the unexpected, the innovative and the forward-thinking.

We're so pleased to have been selected for our transformative collection remixes, bold exhibitions and exciting collaborations encouraging reflection, dialogue and creativity.

In the coming weeks the judges will be visiting us and the rest of the shortlist and the winning museum will be announced on 25 June.

Discover the full shortlist

Many congratulations to our friends at The Box, National Gallery, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery and V&A East Storehouse who were all shortlisted.

Meet the judges

The 2026 judging panel, chaired by Art Fund director Jenny Waldman, includes: Tony Butler OBE, Yinka Ilori MBE, Alice Loxton and June Sarpong OBE.

Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund:

‘The five shortlisted museums this year showcase the extraordinary creativity and innovation that make museums such vibrant and essential places. From opening up world-leading collections to connecting with communities of all ages through ambitious exhibitions and programmes, each one offers something special.’

Luke Syson our Director:

‘This is a really exciting moment for the Fitzwilliam. It's lovely to receive Art Fund recognition for the journey we've been on in the past few years, expanding our narrative and evolving our collection to link past and present, local and global, creating a museum where we hope everyone feels they belong. Art Fund support has been crucial for our transformation.’