Major art galleries in London and Wakefield shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year award

Five museums have been selected as finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2017 including two art galleries – the Tate Modern in London and the Hepworth Wakefield.

The other nominees are: The Lapworth Museum of Geology, Birmingham, the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art, Newmarket, and Sir John Soane’s Museum, London.

The winning museum, which will be announced at a ceremony at the British Museum on Wednesday 5 July 2017, will receive £100,000 in prize money. In addition, for the first time this year, the other shortlisted museums will each receive £10,000.

Stephen Deuchar CBE, director of Art Fund, said: “Each of these museums has had a remarkable year, reaching – in a range of ways – new heights in their efforts to serve and inspire their visitors.

“Whether unveiling new buildings, galleries, displays or public programmes, all the finalists have shown a real commitment to innovation and experimentation, offering fresh perspectives and new ways of seeing and understanding their collections.”

This year’s jury, chaired by Deuchar, comprises: sculptor Richard Deacon CBE; director of the British Museum Hartwig Fischer; former deputy mayor for culture and education at London’s City Hall, Munira Mirza; and radio DJ and television presenter Jo Whiley.

Art Fund has supported Museum of the Year since 2008. Its forerunner was the Prize for Museums and Galleries, administered by the Museum Prize Trust and sponsored by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation from 2003-2007.

Winners over the past six years include the V&A (2016), Whitworth Gallery (2015), Yorkshire Sculpture Park (2014), William Morris Gallery (2013), Royal Albert Memorial Museum (2012) and the British Museum (2011).

Images:
1. Tate Modern. Photo: Marc Atkins / Art Fund 2017, copyright Marc Atkins; Courtesy: Art Fund
2. Hepworth Wakefield. Photo: Marc Atkins / Art Fund 2017, copyright Marc Atkins; Courtesy: Art Fund

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