The Museums + Heritage Awards has announced that paleoanthropologist and stand-up comic Ella Al-Shamahi will take center stage as the host for the 2024 edition of the awards ceremony.
Al-Shamahi will bring a fresh perspective to the Museums + Heritage Awards, adding her unique blend of wit and intelligence to an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence in the industry.
“We are thrilled to have Ella Al-Shamahi as the host for the Museums + Heritage Awards 2024. With her passion for history, culture, and storytelling, she embodies the spirit of our event perfectly,” said Anna Preedy, director of the Museums + Heritage Awards.
“Ella’s expertise and charisma will undoubtedly enhance the overall experience for our guests, making this year’s ceremony one to remember.”
Al-Shamahi is a National Geographic Explorer, palaeoanthropologist, evolutionary biologist and stand-up comic. She has authored Times and Sunday Times Book of the Year ‘The Handshake: A Gripping History’, performs internationally and has taken four stand-up shows to the Edinburgh Fringe which blend comedy and evolutionary science.
A TED main stage speaker, Al-Shamahi is also a science communicator, having hosted TV shows including BBC Two science series ‘Neanderthals: Meet Your Ancestors, ‘Horizon: Body Clock – What Makes Your Body Tick’, and Waterhole: Africa’s Animal Oasis’, alongside ‘Jungle Mystery: Lost Kingdoms of the Amazon’ for Channel 4.
Entries for this year’s Awards ceremony are open until Thursday 1 February 2024. A shortlist will be announced on 14 March 2024, before the live ceremony on Wednesday 15 May 2024.
In response to increased demand for tickets, this year’s ceremony will take place at the recently renovated and larger venue, London’s Hilton Park Lane.
The Museums + Heritage Awards promises an unforgettable night of celebration, recognition, and networking within the cultural sector. The event will showcase the exceptional achievements of museums, galleries, heritage sites, and cultural institutions across various categories.
