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\nPhotograph: David LeveneThe Box, Plymouth <\/p>\n
Art Fund\u2019s Museum of the Year is the biggest museum prize in the world. It is to\u00a0the UK\u2019s cultural institutions what Michelin stars are to chefs, Oscars are to actors and Grammys are to musicians. Last night (June 25) on board London\u2019s Cutty Sark, its 2026 winner was revealed.\u00a0This year\u2019s champion and recipient of the \u00a3120,000 prize was\u00a0The Box in Plymouth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since opening in 2020,\u00a0The Box has been telling the stories of Plymouth through more than two million\u00a0artworks, objects, specimens and archival materials.\u00a0Judges called the\u00a0The Box a \u2018revelation in so many ways \u2013\u00a0a true jewel in the crown of the South West\u2019.\u00a0They chose it as their winner for its \u2018ambitious and welcoming approach\u2019 and its community work and dedication to making art and culture accessible to all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nPhotograph: David LeveneThe Box, Plymouth
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A major part of what made The Box stand out was its programme of fifth birthday\u00a0celebrations. It\u00a0released a social and economic impact report that revealed\u00a0it had contributed \u00a3100 million in health and wellbeing benefits, had engaged with 89 percent of the city\u2019s schools and boosted Plymouth\u2019s economy by \u00a3244m since opening. The Box also hosted three artist-led projects\u00a0reimagining the future through\u00a0the port city\u2019s\u00a0past and\u00a0looking into how historic collections can challenge traditional museum narratives.<\/p>\n
When Will We Be Good Enough? by Osman Yousefzada explored power and colonial history,\u00a0Running and Returning\u00a0by Jyll Bradley showed how archives can be made more accessible and the joyful\u00a0Hello Sailor!\u00a0by Jeremy Deller celebrated\u00a0festivals\u00a0as an integral part of\u00a0art, culture and civic life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Visit The Box this summer and you\u2019ll find a major exhibition on abstract painter Gillian Ayres and the\u00a0Echoes of Us\u00a0exhibition, which presents\u00a0works from the Government Art Collection by artists including Barbara Hepworth and Chris Ofili.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\nPhotograph: David LeveneGallery inside The Box, Plymouth
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June Sarpong, broadcaster and one of this year\u2019s judges, said: \u2018What stood out so strongly with The Box was the sense of pride and connection it has created across Plymouth. From local groups such as the Windrush community to its partnerships with the university, it is a museum that genuinely belongs to the people it serves.<\/p>\n
\u2018Through exhibitions that uncover overlooked histories to welcoming spaces for learning and creativity, The Box is reimagining what being a museum can mean.\u2019<\/p>\n
The Box was up against four other venues: The Fitzwilliam in Cambridge, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery<\/a>, The National Gallery<\/a>\u00a0and the V&A Storehouse<\/a>. Each runner-up received\u00a0\u00a320,000 in prize money.\u00a0<\/p>\n Did you see that a\u00a0new art gallery is opening in the UK with works by Tracey Emin, David Shrigley, Steve McQueen and more<\/a>?<\/p>\n