Culture reporter Paul Glynn has shared the exciting news that the 2025 Art Fund Museum of the Year nominees have been unveiled. For the first time in four years, all five finalists are located outside of London. The finalists include Beamish, The Living Museum of the North in County Durham, Chapter in Cardiff, Compton Verney in Warwickshire, Golden Thread Gallery in Belfast, and Perth Museum in Perth and Kinross. The winner will be revealed on Thursday 26 June at the Museum of Liverpool, marking the first time the event has ventured outside of the UK capital.
Jenny Waldman, director of Art Fund, expressed admiration for the museums, describing them as “inspiring examples of museums at their best”. She highlighted how each museum is deeply connected to its local community, responsive to current events, and brimming with creativity and innovation. Waldman commended the finalists for offering unique experiences that showcase the dedication and passion poured into creating inspiring and engaging spaces for all visitors.
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, located in County Durham, is an open-air museum that offers a glimpse into life in northeast England during the 19th and 20th centuries. Through immersive exhibits and interactions with costumed staff and volunteers, visitors can experience Georgian, Edwardian, and war-time history. Judges praised Beamish for its commitment to preserving local heritage and providing exceptional visitor experiences. The museum recently completed the Remaking Beamish project and opened the aged miners’ homes, shedding light on welfare provision for retired miners.
Chapter in Cardiff is an international center for contemporary arts, boasting a gallery, artists’ studios, theaters, and cinema screenings. The center has curated exhibitions by diverse international artists, exploring themes ranging from climate crisis to materiality. Chapter continues to enrich Cardiff’s cultural landscape through exceptional programs, offering accessible pricing, free tickets for the community, and artist residency programs. The center has also launched Wales’ largest festival of deaf-led creative activity, Deaf Gathering Cymru.
Compton Verney in Warwickshire, housed within a Grade I-listed 18th Century mansion, features six art collections, a sculpture park, and a café. Described as a vibrant cultural destination, Compton Verney aims to make art accessible to all by fostering connections between people, art, nature, and creativity. The museum’s exhibitions have delved into the legacies of renowned artists, such as Capability Brown, Louise Bourgeois, and Chila Kumari Singh Burman. Committed to breaking down barriers to cultural careers for young people with disabilities, the museum offers inclusive initiatives for the community
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