V&A East Storehouse has today been selected by Art Fund, the national charity for museums and galleries, as one of five finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026, the world’s largest museum prize.
“Being shortlisted is a wonderful recognition of what V&A East Storehouse set out to achieve — to open up the back of house world of a museum in a radical new way. Seeing more than half a million people step inside, explore, question and find inspiration — truly making the space their own — has been thrilling. It’s been deeply humbling working with local communities and young people to shape this new museum, and we’re proud to have added to the growing conversation about how national collections should be open for everyone.” Tim Reeve, V&A Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer
Alongside V&A East Storehouse, the other finalists include:
The Box (Plymouth) – Celebrating its fifth birthday in September 2025 having welcomed over 1 million visitors, The Box is a museum, gallery and archive that narrates the rich history of Plymouth, preserving the city’s cultural collections of more than 2 million artworks, objects, specimens, and archival materials.
The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge) – The University of Cambridge’s principal museum since 1816, the Fitzwilliam is expanding its narrative and evolving its collection to create a museum where everyone belongs. Collection remixes, bold exhibitions and innovative partnerships are encouraging reflection, dialogue and creativity, and driving record-breaking visitor numbers.
The National Gallery (London) – Founded by Parliament in 1824, the National Gallery houses the nation’s collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the late 13th to the early 20th century. The gallery celebrated its Bicentenary in 2025 with a UK-wide programme and an entire rehang of its collection.
Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery (Norwich) – Following major redevelopment, Norwich Castle’s Norman Keep reopened in 2025 and is now the most accessible castle in the UK, with rooms furnished to create an authentic sense of life in the twelfth century, immersive storytelling and the new Gallery of Medieval Life.
The winning museum, recipient of £120,000, will be announced on 25 June at a ceremony at Cutty Sark in London. £20,000 will be given to each of the four other finalists – an increase of £5,000 for each museum – bringing the total prize money to £200,000.
Art Fund annually shortlists five outstanding museums for Art Fund Museum of the Year. The 2026 edition recognises inspiring projects and activity from autumn 2024 through to winter 2025. In addition to looking at the overall achievements of the organisation, judges are tasked to evaluate museums who through unexpected, innovative and forward-thinking practices, are pushing the boundaries of what a museum is or can achieve.
The 2026 judging panel, chaired by Art Fund director Jenny Waldman, includes: Tony Butler OBE (Executive Director of Derby Museums), Yinka Ilori MBE (artist), Alice Loxton (historian, author and broadcaster) and June Sarpong OBE (broadcaster, writer and campaigner). 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.
The prize is funded thanks to Art Fund’s members who buy a National Art Pass, alongside the many funders and individuals who generously support Art Fund’s work. National Art Pass holders enjoy discounts and benefits at the shortlisted museums and hundreds more across the UK.
