Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026
Applications open from 19 November 2025 to 19 January 2026.
Art Fund Museum of the Year is the world’s biggest museum prize. It champions what museums do, encourages more people to visit, and gets to the heart of what makes a great museum. The prize recognises and celebrates outstanding work and projects across UK museums and provides a platform to encourage audiences to engage with museums far and wide.
This year the judges will shortlist five exceptional organisations who through unexpected, innovative and forward-thinking practices, are pushing the boundaries of what a museum is or can be. They will decide one outstanding winner to take home the £120,000 prize. The remaining four finalists will each receive £20,000, increased for 2026 and beyond.
All shortlisted museums also receive the support of Art Fund throughout the campaign, which includes national press coverage opportunities; bespoke marketing support and other exciting collaborations and partnerships to help you reach more audiences.
We want to hear how museums are 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.
We are keen to hear about projects and activities, that took place from 2024-2025, which respond to any, or all, of the following focus areas:
Re-addressing how spaces or collections are presented to better serve diverse audiences and visitors
Harnessing partnerships and developing talent, skills and opportunity for a sustainable future
Exemplary community engagement, either through exhibition storytelling, or programming with a focus on equality, diversity and inclusion
Who can apply
Key deadlines
How to apply
Your application
Read the guidance
Download the Guidance for applicants which explains more about the application process and how to fill out the application form, and watch our webinar to hear more about the process.
Get in touch
If you haven’t found what you need in the guidance document, get in touch with Emma Mills (emills@artfund.org) to set up a call to discuss further.
Submit your application
This year we will be accepting all application forms and supporting documents via email.
You can send your completed application form to programmes@artfund.org (with emills@artfund.org in the cc line). Please ensure the application form remains as a Word file (not a PDF) as this will enable us to process the information.
Deadline to apply: Monday 19 January 2026, 5pm.
After you've applied
Acknowledgement of application
The prize project manager will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application and the next steps.