Skipton's Craven Museum has been announced as one of five finalists for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2024 award.
Art Fund annually shortlists five outstanding museums for Museum of the Year. The 2024 edition recognises inspiring projects from autumn 2022 through to winter 2023, with audiences and communities at their heart – with a particular focus on community engagement, sustainable ways of working, and demonstration of ambition by reinventing what it means to be ‘the best’ museum for the audiences of today and tomorrow.
On behalf of Craven Museum, Danielle Daglan, Head of Culture and Archives at North Yorkshire Council said: ‘’We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year; to have the work of this small but hugely dedicated and passionate team recognised by this award is amazing!
“Craven Museum at Skipton Town Hall sits at the heart of its community and has accessibility considerations running through everything the team does. We believe all communities deserve the highest quality cultural experiences – this is our ethos, and we think small museums have the potential to lead the way in innovation of access and community engagement - we are proof of this and we want to inspire others to do the same.’’
Craven Museum was previously recognised as the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum 2023 and Best Accessible Museum 2023. It was judged one of the top 3 museums for access provision out of over two thousand UK museums and heritage sites. Craven Museum programmed free or low cost activities or events every day of the 2023 school holidays for families, in recognition of the current cost of living crisis.
Between 2022-2023, 115 artists displayed work in the museum's exhibition gallery, and 8 community groups created displays in the community cases. The museum welcomed 156,391 visitors in the 2022-23 period, an increase of roughly 56,000 visitors compared to the same period the previous year.
The other four shortlisted museums are Dundee Contemporary Arts (Dundee); Manchester Museum (Manchester); National Portrait Gallery (London); Young V&A - Victoria and Albert Museum (London).
The winning museum will be announced at a ceremony at the National Gallery in London on 10th July and will receive £120,000. Each of the other four finalists will be awarded £15,000.
The 2024 judging panel, chaired by Art Fund director Jenny Waldman, includes: Anupam Ganguli (Finance Director, Historic Royal Palaces), Vick Hope (broadcaster), Tania Kovats (artist) and Sir John Leighton (former Director-General, National Galleries of Scotland). The judges will visit each of the finalists to inform their decision-making, while each museum will make the most of being shortlisted over the summer through events and activities for new and current visitors.
Speaking on behalf of the judges, Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund said: "Congratulations to Craven Museum on being shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2024. Each of our finalists truly has something for everyone and all have community at the very heart of their programming.
"Their commitment to innovative partnerships whilst operating within an extremely challenging funding environment is incredible, and I'm so pleased to see the way they support and centre young people through their work. Across a wide range of size and scale, these organisations are all real leaders in their field. I urge everyone to go and visit these extremely special spaces."
Shed workshop rejected partly due to archaeology concerns
Social football for ladies and girls promoted in Skipton
MP launches Small Business Awards in South Craven
Christmas tree farm in Steeton celebrates 40 year anniversary
Councillors told to decline allowances if they don't agree with increase
Leisure centre expansion to depend on council balancing finances
Apprentice winner helps to launch new Skipton Business
BGT finalist to headline Your Skipton stage at Christmas lights event
Warning over taxi drivers with criminal records getting licences from other authorities
Sales income means council-owned house builder is back in black
Anger as council refuses to issue key home-to-school transport maps
‘Buzzing Skipton’ workshop to improve town centre
Hundreds hit the trails for Sue Ryder at Run Bolton Abbey
Skipton named 5th best location for Christmas break
Christmas toy appeal launches to spread joy and sustainability
Ermysted’s honours war hero as Jack Petty’s medals go on display
Remembrance Day commemorations held to honour the fallen
Rishi Sunak MP criticised for non-attendance at council meetings
Electric ambulances trialled in North Yorkshire
Airedale issues A&E warning ahead of doctors' strike
