What do a Welsh coal mine, a courtyard of back-to-back houses and a Victorian herring curing factory have in common? The answer is they are all on this year's shortlist for the Gulbenkian Prize for museum of the year.
The £100,000 arts prize is the biggest of its kind in the UK and is renowned for recognising innovation, regardless of size. This year, six out of ten projects on the shortlist are based around the UK's heavy industries, including Big Pit, the National Mining Museum of Wales and the Coventry Transport Museum.
Speaking at the shortlist announcement, Michael Day, chief executive of Historic Royal Palaces and a member of the judging panel, said: 'Museums large and small all over the country are doing excellent work at the moment and this is a chance to showcase the best of that work.'
The Heritage Lottery Fund has contributed funds to nine of the ten contenders for the prize. These include a community project in north Devon focusing on a local furniture manufacturer, the Foundling Museum in London and a museum based on the culture and heritage of the Outer Hebrides in North Uist.
Liz Mackenzie, the vice-chairwoman of the British Association of Friends of Museums and a member of the judging panel, said that the most exciting aspect of the Gulbenkian Prize was its inclusiveness. She said: 'From coal pits to fancy country houses, from big museums to wee tidlers, all museums can feel secure in applying.'
Kathryn Stowers, a press officer at Big Pit in Blaenafon, was clearly delighted with the news. She said: 'The thought of a coal mine on the side of a Welsh valley winning the prize is just thrilling.'
At the other end of the scale, the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge, was shortlisted for its £12m courtyard development. The project reclaimed a previously redundant courtyard and added new galleries, an entrance and improved education facilities. Duncan Robinson, the director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, said: 'This year's list is very impressive and wide-ranging, which is really encouraging for museums.'
The four finalists will be announced in March and the winner of the prize will be announced on 26 May.
www.thegulbenkianprize.org.uk
The £100,000 arts prize is the biggest of its kind in the UK and is renowned for recognising innovation, regardless of size. This year, six out of ten projects on the shortlist are based around the UK's heavy industries, including Big Pit, the National Mining Museum of Wales and the Coventry Transport Museum.
Speaking at the shortlist announcement, Michael Day, chief executive of Historic Royal Palaces and a member of the judging panel, said: 'Museums large and small all over the country are doing excellent work at the moment and this is a chance to showcase the best of that work.'
The Heritage Lottery Fund has contributed funds to nine of the ten contenders for the prize. These include a community project in north Devon focusing on a local furniture manufacturer, the Foundling Museum in London and a museum based on the culture and heritage of the Outer Hebrides in North Uist.
Liz Mackenzie, the vice-chairwoman of the British Association of Friends of Museums and a member of the judging panel, said that the most exciting aspect of the Gulbenkian Prize was its inclusiveness. She said: 'From coal pits to fancy country houses, from big museums to wee tidlers, all museums can feel secure in applying.'
Kathryn Stowers, a press officer at Big Pit in Blaenafon, was clearly delighted with the news. She said: 'The thought of a coal mine on the side of a Welsh valley winning the prize is just thrilling.'
At the other end of the scale, the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge, was shortlisted for its £12m courtyard development. The project reclaimed a previously redundant courtyard and added new galleries, an entrance and improved education facilities. Duncan Robinson, the director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, said: 'This year's list is very impressive and wide-ranging, which is really encouraging for museums.'
The four finalists will be announced in March and the winner of the prize will be announced on 26 May.
www.thegulbenkianprize.org.uk
