Five museums have today been announced as finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026, the world’s largest museum prize. They are:
• 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.
• V&A East Storehouse (London) – Opened in May 2025, V&A East Storehouse is a world-first, new museum experience which invites visitors to walk among half a million creative works, enabling visitors to get up-close with their national collections on a scale and in ways not possible before.
Not only does National Art Pass help to fund this prestigious prize, National Art Pass holders receive a range of benefits at the shortlisted museums, including free entry to Norwich Castle, 50% off exhibitions at the National Gallery and Fitzwilliam Museum, a free tote for the first 500 visitors to Norwich Castle, and shop and café discounts.
Visits to the shortlisted museums – and museums across the UK – not only offer an affordable day out full of inspiration but can boost wellbeing too. Recent research undertaken by King’s College London and co-funded by Art Fund and the Psychiatry Research Trust, provided the most compelling scientific evidence to date that viewing art has immediate, measurable benefits for our health and wellbeing.
These exceptional museums will make the most of the finalist status throughout the spring and summer, and visitors with a National Art Pass (until 25 June) can enjoy events and experiences including:
– Norwich Castle – Free tote bag for first 500 visitors with a National Art Pass
– Fitzwilliam Museum – 50% off charged exhibitions and 10% off in Courtyard Kitchen for visitors with a National Art Pass
– V&A East Storehouse – 10% off in e5 Storehouse café and V&A East Storehouse retail pop-up for visitors with a National Art Pass
– National Gallery – 10% off in shop when visiting the Zurbarán exhibition that day, and access to Supporters House on Sundays (17 May – 21 June) when visiting the Zurbarán exhibition that day
– The Box – 10% in The Box Kitchen & Bar, 10% in the onsite shop, and access to special and discounted events with a National Art Pass
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.
The winner will be selected by an expert panel of judges including: 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).
