Former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Portillo will chair the seven-strong judging panel for the 2011 Art Fund Prize.
“Those entrusted with Britain’s rich resource of museum collections are constantly innovating, finding new ways to display their treasures, and seeking to develop their buildings with vivid new designs,” said Portillo. “This prize seeks to reward their efforts and to draw the public’s attention to those advances.”
The news comes as the 2011 competition opens to entries for any kind of museum and gallery project as long as it was completed, or mainly took place, during 2010.
This includes new exhibitions, buildings or refurbishments, and imaginative use of new technology. Education, audience development and outreach work, as well as conservation projects involving the public, are also eligible for entry.
The winning museum or gallery will be presented with its £100,000 award next June. The rest of the judges will be announced in the autumn.
Stephen Deuchar, director of the Art Fund, said: “Recognising excellence for new initiatives, the Art Fund Prize is a fantastic platform from which to make a significant noise about your institution and to reach out to new and existing audiences. The rewards are great, for winner and applicants alike.”
Last year’s winner was the Ulster Museum for its £30m redevelopment.