By Anthony Bishop/ General Correspondent
The judges decided to split the honour five ways this year rather than picking one winner as usual. The winners range from London’s Science Museum to Gairloch Museum in north-west Scotland. The others are Aberdeen Art Gallery, South London Gallery and Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne, East Sussex. In recent years, the Museum of the Year winner has received £100,000. This year, the five winners will pocket £40,000 each. The Art Fund said the shake-up was a response to the “unprecedented challenges that all museums face this year.”
Aberdeen Art Gallery Aberdeen Art Gallery reopened last year after a redevelopment that increased the number of works on display. The gallery attracted 100,000 people in its first 100 days. The judges said they were impressed by the gallery’s “beautifully executed restoration.”
Gairloch Museum made a £2.4m move into a Cold War anti-aircraft command centre last year. The Art Fund said it “transformed a village eyesore into an important visitor attraction” Curator Karen Buchanan said she hoped the recognition would bring “our small, independent museum to the national stage.”
Science Museum
The judges praised an overhaul that saw the opening of new galleries dedicated to medicine and London’s scientific story from 1550-1800. Museum director Sir Ian Blatchford said they would use the prize money to support local schoolchildren.
South London Gallery
The judges were impressed by the gallery’s “integrity, creativity and inspiring leadership” Camberwell venue was praised for an expansion that saw it take over Peckham Road Fire Station. Gallery director Margot Heller said lockdown had forced them to connect with local schools and families.
Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne The gallery was praised for its “genuine commitment to promoting under-represented artists” Despite a funding cut, the gallery says it is “proud to have continued to deliver a wide-ranging programme”
