Art Fund has announced the five finalists for the Museum of the Year 2026 award, the world’s largest museum prize. 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 remaining four finalists will each be awarded £20,000.
This prestigious award highlights institutional excellence in community engagement, innovation, and accessibility within the UK cultural sector. By recognizing diverse institutions—ranging from historic university collections and regional heritage hubs to brand-new open-access storage facilities—the prize underscores the evolving role of museums as dynamic spaces for public education and social connection rather than static repositories.