Two London museums have been awarded the accolade of Art Fund Museum of the Year.
The Science Museum and South London Gallery are among five institutions in the country to share a £200,000 prize.
Judges said the Science Museum enjoyed a “landmark year which saw the museum inspire the next generation of scientists”.
They named the South Kensington museum “the world’s leading destination for people to be excited, inspired and delighted by science”, citing as examples the culmination of Tim Peake’s spacecraft nationwide tour, its biggest ever sleepover to mark the Apollo 11 anniversary, and the opening of two exceptional new permanent galleries – Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries and Science City 1550-1800: The Linbury Gallery.
South London Gallery, which has received Government money through the Culture Recovery Fund, recently doubled in size through the opening of a neighbouring site in a former Fire Station. The judges heralded it as a “world-class contemporary art space, built for and with its culturally diverse communities” which holds “promoting inclusion at the heart of its mission.
Art Fund director Jenny Waldman said: “The winners are exceptional examples of museums offering inspiration, reflection and joy in the heart of communities. The UK’s museums – admired worldwide and vital locally – were thriving before Covid-19. They can help rebuild our communities and confidence as we emerge from the virus. But they face financial peril.
“Not only do we need sustained investment from government, but we encourage everyone to go and explore their local museum – they need our support now.”
Aberdeen Art Gallery, Towner Eastbourne and Gairloch Museum were also awarded a share of the fund.
All five winners will stage digital events and activities to celebrate their win this week, including storytelling by Outlander star Sam Heughan, a panel discussion on art and sustainability with Caroline Lucas and chaired by David Dimbleby, a live archaeological dig, and a “museum mindfulness retreat”.
