Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026

Could your organisation be Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026?

Art Fund Museum of the Year is the world’s biggest museum prize. It champions what museums do, encourages more visitors, and gets to the heart of what makes a truly outstanding museum.

Art Fund wants to hear from museums who through unexpected, innovative and forward-thinking practices, are pushing the boundaries of what a museum is or can be and contributing to a brighter and connected future for all.

Any UK based public museum, gallery, historic place, library or archive which has spaces for the public to visit and experience the visual arts or other object-based collections can apply.

The prize awards £120,000 to the winning museum and, for 2026 and beyond, the four finalists will receive an increased prize of £20,000 each - bringing the total prize money to £200,000.

Applications close on 19 January 2026.

Find our more: Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026 - Art Fund

Image: Beamish Museum, Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025 © David Levene / Art Fund 2025