Entries are now open for 2023 Museums + Heritage Awards. With two new awards added, this year’s ceremony will see even more talent recognised across the sector.
Known as the ‘Oscars of the museums world’, a panel of judges will crown a total of 18 winners.
The first of two new awards will recognise a team that, for the past year, has quietly helped operations to continue running smoothly. The objective of the award is to recognise a part of your organisation often overlooked during award ceremonies.
From HR, grounds maintenance, and collections care staff; teams in all departments will be considered by the judges for its collective positive impact, making a difference to the day-to-day running of your organisation. The judges will be looking for a team that can demonstrate good practice, a collaborative approach, and invaluable combined results.
? The Museums + Heritage Awards are coming SOON, very soon, 1 November soon! We’ve got new categories as well as old favourites, giving a chance for everyone to have their moment ?https://t.co/EwfhDirq0m#museums #heritage #culture #foreveryone #awards pic.twitter.com/4D2p9CAaxD
— Museums + Heritage Show & Awards (@MandHShow) October 26, 2022
The second new award will recognise sector support companies and individuals. This new category has been designed to shine a spotlight on freelancers, consultants, associations, partners and suppliers.
It will recognise the creativity and solution-driven focus which is crucial to the success of museums, galleries and heritage and cultural visitor attractions. The judges will reward a person, business or association whose work has supported and enhanced the sector as a whole, or which can demonstrate the tangible difference made to its clients.
Museums + Heritage Awards are seeking nominations for this category and will also invite submissions, with client supporting testimonials, from individuals, companies and associations.
The Awards are open to all museums, galleries, archives and heritage visitor attractions, organisations, charities and bodies plus their suppliers, contractors and partners.spark
Sustainable Project of the Year (Sponsored by the National Lottery Heritage Fund), Volunteer(s) of the Year, and Fundraising Campaign of the Year are free to enter. The remaining awards are offered with an Early Bird reduced entry fee for this month only. A full list of categories is below.
Details and guidance for entering can be found on the Museums + Heritage Awards website.
The closing date for entries is 1st February 2023. (An Early Bird reduced entry fee is available this month only).
Museum + Heritage Awards Categories
NEW: Team of the Year Award
NEW: Sector Support Award
Visitor Welcome Award
Cafe or Restaurant of the Year
Sustainable Project of the Year
Volunteer(s) of the Year
Permanent Exhibition of the Year
Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year
Shop of the Year
Learning Programme of the Year
Community Engagement Programme of the Year
Marketing + Communications Strategy of the Year
Partnership of the Year Award
Best Use of Digital
Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year
Exhibition of the Year – International
Best Use of Digital – International
“We are very much riding the wave following our win at the Museums + Heritage Awards. The impact of the awards for me personally and Kiplin as a whole is still being felt. We are so happy to be part of the elite group of M+H award winners, thank you.”
This year’s judges:
Diane Lees CBE
Diane Lees CBE, Chair of the 2019 judging panel, has been Director General of the Imperial War Museums since October 2008. Leading on the Museums’ international programme and cultural festival for the First World War centenary.
Sara Wajid
Sara Wajid is joint CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust, one of the UK’s largest independent museum trusts.
Bernard Donoghue OBE
Bernard Donoghue has been the Director of ALVA since September 2011 following a career in advocacy, communications and lobbying, latterly at a senior level in the tourism and heritage sector.
Maggie Appleton MBE
Maggie Appleton MBE was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Air Force Museum in October 2014 and took up her post on 12 January 2015.
Dr Matthew Tanner MBE
Matthew Tanner has worked in the maritime heritage sector for 20 years. He has specialised in bringing maritime heritage to life for non-maritime audiences.
Sam Mullins OBE
Sam Mullins has been Director of the London Transport Museum since 1994, where he has overseen the development of the world’s premier museum of urban transport and the social history of transport in London past, present and future.
Caro Howell
Caro Howell is new to the judging panel for 2018 and in her role as Director of the Foundling Museum, she brings a welcome new perspective to the panel.
Stephen Duncan
Initially joining Historic Environment Scotland as Head of Commercial and Visitor Operation in 2009.
For all the details on categories, guidance on entering, and key dates for your diary, visit the Museums + Heritage Awards website.
