Art Fund has announced the five finalists for the 2026 Museum of the Year prize, the world’s largest award of its kind. The shortlist includes Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, The Box in Plymouth, and London’s National Gallery and V&A East Storehouse. The winner, to be announced on June 25 at the Cutty Sark, will receive £120,000, while the four runners-up will each be awarded £20,000.
This prestigious prize highlights the resilience and innovation of the UK museum sector, recognizing institutions that have successfully modernized their collections and deepened community engagement. The inclusion of major national institutions alongside regional hubs like The Box and the newly redeveloped Norwich Castle underscores the diverse ways museums are evolving to remain accessible and culturally relevant in the 21st century.