Image: Museums + Heritage Awards 2024
Entries are now open for the 2025 Museums + Heritage Awards.
Known as the ‘Oscars of the museums world’, a panel of judges will crown a total of 18 winners at London’s Hilton Park Lane in May 2025, just 12 weeks from today.
During November, those hoping to be among the winners will benefit from the Early Bird rate. Entries will close at the end of January 2025.
A new category for 2025 – the Visitor Accessibility Award – is available to enter for the first time.
I am BEYOND excited that @MandHShow now has a Visitor Accessibility category in their awards!!! Bring on the game changing….😍 @AnnaPreedy https://t.co/GWvUpFfPia
— Sam Bowen (@makedoandSEND) October 22, 2024
It will recognise cultural institutions that have made significant strides in improving access for all visitors.
It's the moment you've been waiting for… entries for the Museums + Heritage Awards are NOW OPEN! 🎉
3 free-to-enter categories, a new Visitor Accessibility Award & 3 international Awards – there's something for everyone!
Start your entry here👇https://t.co/QwzyFwLGPZ pic.twitter.com/lBmPxbp7ts
— Museums + Heritage Show & Awards (@MandHShow) November 1, 2024
Details and guidance for entering can be found on the Museums + Heritage Awards website.
The closing date for entries is 1st February 2024. (An Early Bird reduced entry fee is available this month only).
Museum + Heritage Awards Categories
- New: Visitor Accessibility Award
- Volunteer(s) of the Year (in partnership with Heritage Volunteering Group)
- Sustainable Project of the Year (Sponsored by National Lottery Heritage Fund)
- Sector Impact Award
- Team of the Year (in partnership with Association of Independent Museum)
- Visitor Welcome Award (sponsored by Tyg Tickets)
- Permanent Exhibition of the Year
- Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year (in partnership with The Exhibitions Group)
- Shop of the Year (in partnership with Association for Cultural Enterprises)
- Learning Programme of the Year (in partnership with GEM)
- Community Engagement Programme of the Year
- Marketing + Communications Campaign of the Year (Sponsored by Cabbells, in partnership with Arts Marketing Association)
- Partnership of the Year Award
- Best Use of Digital
- Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year (in partnership with Institute of Conservation)
- Innovator of the Year
- Exhibition of the Year – International
- Best Use of Digital – International
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The judging panel
Three new judges joined the Museums + Heritage Awards panel last year, taking the panel to nine, all selected for their extensive experience. Find out more about the new judges here. The full panel is:
Keith Merrin
Keith Merrin is the Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) overseeing its nine museums which include 3 of the top 5 most visited free attractions in the North East.
Sara Wajid MBE
Sara Wajid is joint CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust, one of the UK’s largest independent museum trusts.
Bernard Donoghue OBE
Bernard Donoghue has been the Director of ALVA since September 2011 following a career in advocacy, communications and lobbying, latterly at a senior level in the tourism and heritage sector.
Maggie Appleton MBE
Maggie Appleton MBE was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Air Force Museum in October 2014 and took up her post on 12 January 2015.
Deborah Smith
Deborah Smith is the director of the Arts Council Collection, the most widely circulated national collection of modern and contemporary British art.
Dr Matthew Tanner MBE
Matthew Tanner has worked in the maritime heritage sector for 20 years. He has specialised in bringing maritime heritage to life for non-maritime audiences.
Sally Shaw MBE
Sally Shaw MBE has been the Director of Firstsite, Colchester since 2016. With her team, she has delivered a successful turn-around programme realigning Firstsite with a focused, relevant purpose.
Caro Howell MBE
Caro Howell is new to the judging panel for 2018 and in her role as Director of the Foundling Museum, she brings a welcome new perspective to the panel.
Stephen Duncan
Initially joining Historic Environment Scotland as Head of Commercial and Visitor Operation in 2009.
Read more about the categories, judges and entry process on the Museums + Heritage Awards website.
