The Box, Plymouth's museum and art gallery, has been awarded the 2026 Art Fund Museum of the Year. This accolade celebrates institutions that have demonstrated exceptional creativity, community engagement, and innovation in the cultural sector.
The judging panel highlighted The Box's significant impact on its local community, emphasizing the "sense of pride and connection it has created across Plymouth." June Sarpong OBE, a broadcaster and judge for the awards, stated that the museum "genuinely belongs to the people it serves."
The award specifically recognized The Box for its exhibitions that explore overlooked histories and its creation of welcoming spaces for learning and creativity. Judges noted that the institution is actively reimagining the role of a museum in contemporary society. This includes offering diverse programming and fostering a sense of ownership among its visitors and residents.
As the winner, The Box receives a prize of £20,000. The other four finalists—The National Gallery and V&A East Storehouse in London, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, and Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum—each received £20,000 in recognition of their contributions.
The Box, which opened in 2020, houses significant collections of art, historical artifacts, and natural history specimens. Its modern architecture, featuring large glass windows, is designed to be an inviting public space. Previous exhibitions have included works by artists like Beryl Cook, focusing on local stories and broader cultural themes.
The Art Fund Museum of the Year award is considered one of the most significant honors for museums in the United Kingdom, aiming to highlight and support the vital work these institutions undertake.
