The Wedgwood Museum in Stoke-on-Trent won the Art Fund Prize last month.
Director Gaye Blake Roberts said it was an honour for the museum and she hoped the local economy would benefit from the national and international attention that the award confers.
The museum has fared better than the manufacturing empire that spawned it, which went into administration in January, before being rescued by a US-based company in March.
The £10m museum is housed on the historic site of Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, but is run by an independent charitable trust.
For the first time, an online public poll counted as a vote towards the final decision. More than 27,000 people voted via the Guardian website, although the poll had to be closed early because of suspected irregularities.
The 2010 prize will be backed by the Art Fund, but after that it has no sponsor. Andrew Macdonald, acting director of the Art Fund, said he would begin talks with the prize's trustees soon about possible future sponsorship.
The other shortlisted museums were Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, for its Centre of New Enlightenment; Ruthin Craft Centre in north Wales; and Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham.
Director Gaye Blake Roberts said it was an honour for the museum and she hoped the local economy would benefit from the national and international attention that the award confers.
The museum has fared better than the manufacturing empire that spawned it, which went into administration in January, before being rescued by a US-based company in March.
The £10m museum is housed on the historic site of Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, but is run by an independent charitable trust.
For the first time, an online public poll counted as a vote towards the final decision. More than 27,000 people voted via the Guardian website, although the poll had to be closed early because of suspected irregularities.
The 2010 prize will be backed by the Art Fund, but after that it has no sponsor. Andrew Macdonald, acting director of the Art Fund, said he would begin talks with the prize's trustees soon about possible future sponsorship.
The other shortlisted museums were Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, for its Centre of New Enlightenment; Ruthin Craft Centre in north Wales; and Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham.
Links
Wedgwood Museum review, Museums Journal February 2009, p46
Wedgwood Museum review, Museums Journal February 2009, p46
