Meet the winner
The Box in Plymouth was announced as Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026 at a ceremony at Cutty Sark in London on 25 June.
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Telling the story of Plymouth through its collections of more than two million artworks, objects, specimens and archival materials, The Box has welcomed more than 1.3 million visitors since opening in 2020. It brings together extraordinary collections, exhibitions and archives under one roof, alongside impactful community work and a deep commitment to access for all.
Art Fund Museum of the Year is the world’s largest museum prize
Every year, Art Fund shortlists five outstanding museums for Art Fund Museum of the Year.
The prize champions what museums do, encourages more people to visit, and gets to the heart of what makes a truly memorable museum.
This year, our judges are tasked with evaluating museums who, through unexpected, innovative and forward-thinking practices, are pushing the boundaries of what a museum is or can achieve.
Our judges for 2026
Our experienced and passionate panel of judges are responsible for selecting the shortlist of five museums and deciding who will win Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026.
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