Art Pass reveals the 2026 Museum of the Year – here’s everything you need to know about the prize

The world’s largest museum prize, Art Fund Museum of the Year, recognises UK museums that showcase exceptional creativity, innovation and public engagement – find out more about this year’s winner and finalists.

The Art Fund Museum of the Year is the UK's most prestigious museum award, recognising institutions that have delivered outstanding projects, exhibitions, learning programmes or community initiatives over the previous year.

The prize celebrates museums that not only care for important collections but also find meaningful ways to engage new audiences, improve accessibility, and demonstrate the vital role museums play in society. In 2026, the total prize fund was £200,000, with the overall winner awarded £120,000 and each of the four remaining finalists receiving £20,000 in recognition of their achievements.

The 2026 judging panel was chaired by Art Fund Director Jenny Waldman and included historian Alice Loxton, broadcaster June Sarpong OBE, and Tony Butler OBE, Executive Director of Derby Museums.

Now available as part of Boundless Plus membership, you can visit the winner and finalists of the Art Fund Museum of the Year for free with your National Art Pass, as well as many other museums, galleries, and heritage sites for free or with discounted admission prices.

Find out more about upgrading to Boundless Plus membership and the benefits it offers on everything from days out to restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more.

Which museum won the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026?

© David Levene; Art Fund 2026The Box in Plymouth has been named the 2026 Art Fund Museum of the Year, securing the coveted title and reinforcing its reputation as one of the country's most innovative cultural destinations.

The museum received the £120,000 top prize after impressing judges with its ambitious programming, extensive educational outreach, and an estimated £244 million contribution to the South West economy since opening in 2020.

Free to visit, The Box combines museum collections, archives and galleries under one gigantic roof, telling the story of Plymouth through art, archaeology, natural history, maritime heritage and contemporary exhibitions. Alongside its permanent collections, it hosts world-class exhibitions, talks, workshops and community events for all ages throughout the year.

Judges were particularly impressed by The Box's social impact beyond its galleries, with its community engagement scoring highly. Through partnerships with schools, the University of Plymouth and local organisations, it has engaged almost 90% of the city's schools, helping young people explore local history, culture and creativity while supporting communities, including Plymouth's Windrush community.

© David Levene; Art Fund 2026Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund and chair of the judging panel, said: "The Box is a revelation in so many ways – a true jewel in the crown of the South West. In just five years, it has transformed how Plymouth's remarkable collections are shared and experienced, creating a welcoming space for visitors and reaching beyond its walls into public spaces and almost every school in the city. Its social and economic impact demonstrates what long-term investment in culture can achieve."

What’s on at The Box?

© David Levene; Art Fund 2026Home to more than two million objects, The Box brings Plymouth's rich maritime, cultural and social history to life through permanent collections, contemporary art and changing exhibitions. Highlights include the impressive display of 14 Victorian ship figureheads in Port of Plymouth, celebrating the city's seafaring heritage; the Mammoth Gallery, home to more than 3,000 natural history specimens and fossils, including a towering woolly mammoth; and 100 Journeys, which explores the voyages from Plymouth that have helped shape the world.

The museum is also known for using art to spark conversations about history and identity, with historic collections reworked by artists to make them more relevant and accessible to today's audiences. Exhibitions by Osman Yousefzada, Jyll Bradley, and Jeremy Deller explored themes, including colonial history, archives, and Plymouth's maritime past, while encouraging new perspectives on the city's stories.

This summer, visitors can enjoy two major exhibitions: Echoes of Us (20 June–20 September), showcasing works from Gillian Ayres: A Life in Colour (4 July–4 October), featuring 26 works spanning seven decades by one of Britain's leading abstract painters.

What is the National Art Pass?

© David Levene; Art Fund 2026Inspired to visit The Box after it was crowned Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026? Available to Boundless Plus members, the National Art Pass is your ticket to discovering some of the UK’s most outstanding museums, galleries and heritage attractions.

With a National Art Pass in your wallet, you can enjoy free entry to more than 200 museums across the UK, along with 50% off major exhibitions and discounts in many museum shops. It’s an easy way to explore everything from world-class galleries to historic houses and regional museums while saving on entry.

The pass also opens the door to major cultural highlights, including discounted entry to the Art Fund Museum of the Year shortlist, as well as recent winners such as Beamish, The Living Museum of the North (2025), Young V&A (2024) and The Burrell Collection (2023).

Beyond entry benefits, Boundless Plus members also receive a subscription to Art Quarterly magazine and regular “Art in your inbox” newsletters, helping you stay up to date with exhibitions and cultural events across the UK.

Find out more about upgrading to Boundless Plus membership and the benefits it offers on everything from days out to restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more.

Visit the 2026 shortlist

© David Levene; Art Fund 2026With finalists for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026 spread across the UK, there’s never been a better time to use your National Art Pass to visit some of these nationally acclaimed institutions.

The 2026 finalists were:

• Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

• National Gallery, London

• Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Norwich

• V&A East Storehouse, London

Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

© David Levene; Art Fund 2026One of the UK's finest university museums, the Fitzwilliam Museum is renowned for its world-class collections spanning Egyptian antiquities, Old Master paintings, manuscripts and decorative arts. With a packed schedule of exhibitions, talks and family activities, the museum is one of Cambridge's must-visit cultural attractions, with masterpieces by artists including Titian, Monet and Degas on display.

Entry to the main museum is free, but thanks to National Art Pass, Boundless Plus members can enjoy 50% off exhibitions. Current exhibition highlights include War Craft on until 23 August, which explores how creativity has emerged from conflict and Frank Bowler: Seeking the Sublime, a bold and colourful display of the artist’s life works. A must-see exhibition coming this autumn is A Call to Art: William Morris & the Pre-Raphaelites, from 23 October to May 2027.

National Gallery, London

© David Levene; Art Fund 2026Home to one of the world's greatest collections of Western European paintings, the National Gallery houses more than 2,300 masterpieces by artists including Van Gogh, Turner, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci.

Current highlights include Zurbarán until 23 August 2026, showcasing the dramatic works of the Spanish Baroque master, while Waldmüller: Landscapes opens from 2 July 2026, celebrating the Austrian artist's luminous depictions of nature.

Entry to the permanent collection remains free, but with a National Art Pass Boundless Plus members can enjoy 50% off exhibitions.

Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Norwich

© David Levene; Art Fund 2026Recently transformed through a major redevelopment, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery combines medieval history with impressive art and archaeology collections.

Highlights include exploring the restored Norman keep and castle’s medieval dungeon on a guided tour (if you dare!), and browsing treasures from across East Anglia in the galleries. There’s also plenty for children to enjoy with interactive displays and family-friendly events.

Current exhibitions include Seven Decades of Contemporary Art, celebrating the Norfolk Contemporary Art Society, alongside Miranda Boulton: Chain of Flowers, an exhibition inspired by nature, craft and storytelling.

With a National Art Pass you get free entry and free access to exhibitions.

V&A East Storehouse, London

© David Levene; Art Fund 2026V&A East Storehouse has redefined the museum experience by giving visitors unprecedented access to more than half a million objects from the V&A's collections. Located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this innovative space provides unique access to fashion, design, theatre, furniture and popular culture through its open storage displays and unique Order an Object service, which allows visitors to view selected collection items up close.

A highlight of any visit to V&A East Storehouse is the David Bowie Centre, the permanent home of the musician's internationally significant archive. Fans can explore around 200 rotating items from the collection, including costumes, handwritten lyrics, instruments and photographs, or book the free Order an Object experience for a closer look at selected pieces from the archive's 90,000-plus objects. Later in 2026, more than 100 archive highlights will tour the UK in David Bowie: On Tour, opening at V&A Dundee on 4 November.

Other highlights not to miss include collection displays such as the Agra Colonnade, Natalia Goncharova's spectacular Firebird theatre backdrop and displays celebrating LGBTQ+ histories and contemporary design.

Entry to the museum is free, although some events and exhibitions may be ticketed, using National Art Pass provides free entry or a discount to selected exhibitions.

^{This article was accurate at the time of publication. Please note information and offers shown may change over time.}