Five UK museums ‘alive with ideas and energy' shortlisted for Art Fund prize
The Art Fund Museum of the Year prize offers the winner a gamechanging prize of £120,000, with £15,000 going to each of the other finalists.
The 2025 shortlist, announced on Tuesday, has museums from all four nations of the UK represented. They are Beamish in County Durham, Chapter in Cardiff, Compton Verney in Warwickshire, the Golden Thread Gallery in Belfast and Perth Museum, home of the Stone of Destiny, in Scotland.
Jenny Waldman, the Art Fund director, said all five were 'inspiring examples of museums at their best – deeply connected to their local communities, responsive to the world around them, and alive with energy and ideas'.
Beamish, the 'Living Museum of the North', a hugely popular open-air museum, tells immersive social and industrial history stories from the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s in north-east England.
Visitors travel through the different settings in old trams and buses and experience stories of ordinary life, whether down the mines or at the shops, told by staff and volunteers in period costume.
In the past year the museum has completed a project called Remaking Beamish which includes the recreation of a 1950s town complete with a cinema, toyshop, electrical and record shop and milk bar.
Perth Museum opened in March 2024 after a £27m renovation of a building which had been closed since 2005. It tells '10,000 years of Scottish, UK and world history through a local lens'.
Its star attraction is the Stone of Destiny, which has been returned to Perthshire for the first time in 700 years. The stone, an ancient symbol of Scottish monarchy, has been used in Westminster coronations since it was taken as war booty by the forces of the English king Edward I in 1296. It was under the throne again for Charles III's coronation.
Since the new museum opened it has attracted more than 250,000 visitors, including 100,000 people in less than 100 days. Giving it a five-star review, the Guardian's Jonathan Jones wrote: 'This is a local museum that reinvents local museums.'
The Golden Thread Gallery is Belfast's leading contemporary art gallery which reopened in a new space, the city's former Gas Corporation showroom, in August 2024 after a year's closure.
The new venue includes two large gallery spaces, a projection room and a visual art research library and archive which is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. Artists to have been exhibited include Charlotte Bosanquet, Rob Hilken, Graham Fagen, Susan Hiller and Claire Morgan.
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Compton Verney is a grand Georgian country house art gallery, home to six world-class art collections and set within 120 acres of Capability Brown parkland.
Last year it unveiled its new sculpture park which includes a Louise Bourgeois spider and works by Sarah Lucas, Perminder Kaur, Larry Achiampong and Helen Chadwick.
Chapter in Cardiff is a multi-arts space that includes galleries, theatres, cinemas, artists' studios and a community garden. It says it is committed to equitable arts programming and recently introduced an artist residency programme offering free studio space.
The winner will be announced at the Museum of Liverpool on 26 June. The judging panel is the artist Rana Begum, the comedian Phil Wang, the Tate director of research and interpretation, David Dibosa, and Jane Richardson, the chief executive of Museum Wales.
Previous winners of the prize range from the enormous, such as the V&A, to the tiny, such as the William Morris gallery in Walthamstow, east London. Last year's winner was the Young V&A in Bethnal Green, east London.
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Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Welsh town that famous actors call home named one of the most affordable places to live
Welsh town that famous actors call home named one of the most affordable places to live In the shadow of the steelworks lies a town that is full of hidden gems Aberavon Beach is known to be one of the longest beaches in Wales (Image: John Myers ) Ask anyone what springs to mind when they think of Port Talbot, and chances are you'll hear the same answer echo back - the steelworks. Towering chimneys and plumes of steam that have long defined the town's skyline. Yet beyond the shadow of this great steel giant, lies a different side of Port Talbot that many people who are not local to the area, may not even know about. One that is rich with natural beauty, local history and hidden gems waiting to be explored. With that in mind, it shouldn't be shocking that recent research from the online property company Zoopla has revealed Port Talbot as one of the most popular, affordable places to live in Great Britain. The famously industrial town ranked fourth in a list, based on how often three-bedroom homes were viewed online, combined with how affordable those homes are compared to local earnings. Port Talbot sits just behind Neath, Llanelli, and the Scottish town of Glenrothes, proving it's more than just steel drawing attention. One of those reasons is Afan Argoed, also known as Afan Country Park - a haven for walkers and cyclists with its miles of scenic trails, winding through the Valley's ever changing landscape. This place was a childhood favourite of mine that holds memories of long dog walks with my granddad and rare sunny day picnics down Rhyslyn car park. Afan Valley - locally known as Afan Argoed is known for its fantastic walking and cycling trails (Image: Forestry Commission Picture Library/Isobel Cameron ) Article continues below Speaking of Rhyslan car park, this is also the starting point of a fantastic walking trail, that certainly put me in my paces growing up. The route forms a figure of eight, giving walkers the choice to complete the full loop or opt for one half - perfect if you're after a shorter, three-mile stroll. The first section is a treat for fans of Richard Burton, guiding you past landmarks tied to the legendary actor who was born just down the road in Pontrhydyfen. As a kid, reaching the portrait bench was always a bit of a milestone - a quiet clearing where three steel figures stand proud: Mr Burton himself, Gavin and Stacey actor Rob Brydon and former Afan Valley head ranger Dick Wagstaff. The sculptures were chosen by the local community and installed in 2010 by the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans. Just beside the figures, visitors will find a small but powerful surprise - a listening post that plays a snippet of Richard Burton's iconic voice, reading Dylan Thomas' famous poem: Under Milk Wood. To hear his rich, haunting tones echo so close to where he once roamed is a moment that sticks with you. A trail is available in Afan Argoed in tribute to honour legendary Hollywood actor Richard Burton (Image: Martin Ellard ) The second loop of the trail leads deeper in the heart of the Afan Valley's forest, where the tall evergreens and fern-lined parks makes it easy to see why the area is often called 'Little Switzerland'. Beyond that, there are many other trails for cyclists and walkers just waiting to be explored. Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here Aberavon Beach needs little introduction; it is a beloved stretch of coastline that has been drawing both locals and visitors for generations. With its long, sweeping sands and a sleek modern promenade overlooking Swansea bay, it's easy to see why it remains a firm favourite. That being said, the reintroduced parking charges have taken a bit of a shine off for some - but its still hard to stay away, especially during these flashes of warm weather. The beach itself is huge - one of the longest in Wales - and provides endless activities for all ages. The northern end is usually alive with sand yachting and kitesurfing making the most of the wind and waves. There is nothing better than a trip to Aberavon Beach on a warm summer's day (Image: John Myers ) What I love most about this beach is how it's a proper family spot. There are two decent play parks that provide safe, fun spaces for children to burn off energy, although Aberavon Aqua Splash might be the real highlight - complete with fountains, jets and "waterfalls" that is the perfect relief during those blistering (albeit rare) heatwaves. A site that must be a part of every local's childhood is the iconic blue whale and penguin statutes that you can check out during your walk along the beach. These relics have been here for as long as I can remember - if you know, you know. For those older kids, there's also crazy golf on the beachfront, which is a good laugh and of course the Reel Cinema; my absolute go-to. Rarely crowded, with a good choice of snacks and the added bonus of being able to wander straight onto the beach after a film for an ice cream - what's not to love? Reel Cinema sits on Aberavon seafront and for me, one of the best around (Image: Google ) Dog owners aren't left out either. While the main beach is not available to dogs during the summer months, the strong line up of cafes and restaurants are more than welcoming. Francos - a popular fish and chip shop, that is a highlight of any beach trip - is completely dog-friendly, offering your furry companion their own menu and abundance of water bowls. Memo Beach Café and Café Remos also welcomes dogs. These are the perfect places to stop for some lunch and coffee, while your dog chills at your side. Personally, a trip to Cafe Remos always has to involve their freshly made ice cream - their strawberry cones are a ten out of ten. Meanwhile, there is also The Front, which has grown quite popular over the years for their tasty burgers and reasonable prices. It's just next door to cinema and even has it's own drive-thru, which is sometimes a must as it's always super busy. If you asked most people about the best spots in Port Talbot, I am willing to bet that Aberafan Shopping Centre wouldn't be too high on the list. But I'm going to say it... there's actually quite a lot going for this place! The ageing shopping centre may be under some scrutiny, but there's a lot to love there (Image: Richard Williams ) One of its biggest claims to fame right now is Spud Fam, a baked potato business that's been making waves on TikTok. The shop is a real family operation - owned by Jordanna Landeg and her husband David, with Jordanna's brother Jude and their mum - all pitching in. Their videos give a behind-the-scenes look at the day to day running of the shop, including some of the interesting spud combos and orders that they serve up; showing just how creative - and delicious - a loaded potato can be. With a loyal following of over 12,000 on TikTok, they've made a name for themselves with their ridiculously loaded baked potatoes and fries. From classic cheese and beans to more adventurous options like beef brisket and their very own "Spud Fam's Bol", they've turned simple comfort food into something a bit more fun. Also in the shopping centre is Portablo Coffi, a coffee shop run by former steelworker Cassius. Opening at the start of this year, its already become a staple of the town thanks to its great coffee and warm, welcoming atmosphere. A wander round B and M's and Home Bargains with a coffee in one hand and a spud from your local independents in the other... sometimes it really is the simple things in life. Just a short drive from Port Talbot, lies Margam Country Park; which while not part of Port Talbot itself, is close enough to feel like an extension of the area's history. At the centre of Margam Park is the magnificent 19th century Tudor Gothic mansion, designed by architect Thomas Hopper for Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot. Built between 1830 and 1840, this Grade I listed mansion is packed with stunning features, from its soaring staircase hall to the distinctive octagonal tower. Margam Castle and it's estate was once owned by the illustrious Talbot family (Image: Robert Melen ) Margam Castle's outbuildings now house the Visitor Centre, which includes a café, gift shop and other handy facilities. Visitors can also explore the Entrance Hallway and the grand Staircase Hall, stepping back into much more opulent times. As a child, I remember Margam being the subject of plenty of ghost stories - the kind that made passing by places like the Castle and Margam Monastery a little spine-tingling. However, those eerie feelings have faded with time, replaced by a real sense of wonder at this beautiful, historic spot. There's lots more to see during a visit to Margam Park beyond the Castle itself. One of my childhood haunts was the Fairytale Village - which although a bit crusty and dusty, still has a certain charm. I loved wandering through, checking out the miniature houses inspired by classic folklore tales. For families, another must is the farm trail. It offers the chance to get up close to a variety of animals from alpacas and donkeys to pigs and pygmy goats. Even in my twenties, I had to take a stroll round there during a recent visit - although I will warn visitors to not go too close to those gates as I was almost victim to alpaca spit! Visitors to Margam also have the opportunity to feed the alpacas (Image: Margam Country Park ) My last bit of advice when visiting is - if you ever get the chance, don't miss the outdoor cinema experience. Watching a film beneath the shadow of Margam Castle is something magical; the atmosphere and setting make it an unforgettable night. Article continues below
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Sabrina Carpenter stays in same posh £25k-a-night London hotel as fellow pop queens
Scroll down to find out what Sabrina is doing to ensure her performance is flawless B&BEY Sabrina Carpenter stays in same posh £25k-a-night London hotel as fellow pop queens Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEYONCE, Mariah Carey and Sabrina Carpenter are all regarded as music royalty – and I can reveal they all have the same taste in hotels. I have been told that Sabrina has hired out the £25,000-a-night penthouses her fellow pop queens stayed in at the five-star Corinthia London. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 9 Sabrina was spotted testing a crane in Hyde Park Credit: Supplied The Manchild hitmaker was at the swanky hotel during her sold-out British Summer Time gigs in Hyde Park this weekend. A source said: 'Sabrina only wanted to stay at the very best during her time in the capital. 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Sounds like Sabrina will reign over the capital. 9 Sabrina has hired out the £25,000-a-night penthouses at the five-star Corinthia London Credit: Getty WORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY 9 Beyonce clamps her gnashers on a bottle of bubbly while wearing an eye-catching outfit Credit: Instagram 9 Jennifer Lopez looked super sweet as she posed with cupcakes Credit: Instagram BEYONCE got her teeth into Independence Day celebrations, clamping her gnashers on a bottle of bubbly while wearing an eye-catching outfit in Maryland. The Crazy In Love hitmaker, above, wowed in a star-clad chainmail bodysuit with a faux fur coat of the US flag draped over her shoulders at her concert at the Northwest Stadium on Friday. Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez looked super sweet as she posed with cupcakes, marking the special date on Instagram. Smiling J-Lo wished her 248million followers 'happy fourth of July' as she playfully held two of the iced treats over her bust. FAREWELL SABBATH FOR OZZY 9 Ozzy Osbourne took to his throne as the Prince of Darkness for his final performance Credit: Getty OZZY OSBOURNE took to his throne as the Prince of Darkness for his final performance with Black Sabbath last night. The Iron Man hitmaker was joined by his original bandmates Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward for the Back To The Beginning concert at Villa Park in the band's home town of Birmingham. Ozzy, who has publicly battled Parkinson's disease in recent years, perched with his cloak draped ceremoniously around him. He was supported by wife Sharon Osbourne. His son Jack Osbourne spoke ahead of the momentous gig. Asked if Ozzy was nervous, he said: 'I think it is every emotion. He is so excited about performing again and so excited about getting on stage. 'December 2018 was the last time he did a full gig – that is how long it has been. 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CROCKED SAM SCRAPS EURO FESTIVAL DATES 9 Sam Fender has suffered a vocal haemorrhage Credit: Redferns SAM FENDER has been forced to pull out of his European festival tour due to a vocal haemorrhage. The Seventeen Going Under singer revealed that he received the devastating diagnosis after headlining the British Grand Prix Opening Concert at Silverstone on Friday night. He posted on Instagram after his performance: 'At the beginning of the week I got my voice checked by my ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor and the cords were slightly swollen. 'After a few days' rest I was advised by my team that I was okay to perform. 'On stage at Silverstone I could feel that things were a lot harder than usual, I felt I needed to push a lot harder to sing – this is never a good sign. 'I've just been checked by my ENT again today, as I was concerned about it, and it's transpired that I have had a haemorrhage on one of my vocal cords.' 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Metro
7 hours ago
- Metro
Kneecap lead 45,000-strong crowd in anti-Keir Starmer chants at Finsbury Park
Irish rap trio Kneecap made their feelings towards Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer clear tonight as they led the crowd in angry chants. Tonight, the group played their largest gig to date, taking to the stage in Finsbury Park, London, in front of 45,000 people. They were supporting Irish band Fontaines DC, whose frontman, Grian Chatten, joined to perform their collaboration, Better Way To Live. Fans watched on as Kneecap came out in front of a screen that said, 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.' And in typical Kneecap fashion, they weren't shy in expressing their disdain for certain politicians throughout the night either. On the mic, they vowed that next month will mark 'the second time Kneecap have beat the British Government in court'. People then echoed the Belfast group's chants when they repeated the 'F**k Keir Starmer' and 'You're just a s**t Jeremy Corbyn' comments made at Glastonbury the previous weekend. The group also stated that 'it's not the English people we don't like; it's the English government,' following the PM's attempts to have Kneecap removed from the Glasto lineup this year. Starmer previously claimed that he didn't believe it would be 'appropriate' for Kneecap to perform at Worthy Farm, given that Liam O'Hanna, who performs as Mo Chara, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier this month, charged with a terror offence. He will return next month. In response to the Labour leader's calls for a ban, Kneecap shared a screenshot from his interview, writing: 'You know what's 'not appropriate' Keir?! Arming a f***ing genocide… [sic]'. Also on stage tonight, Kneecap addressed their recent legal woes in a jovial manner: 'It's nice to be back in London and not be up in court.' 'It's been a mad few weeks, lads, Jesus f***ing Christ. Look at the f***ing state of us,' added O'Hanna. For the eighth year, 150,000 festival goers will descend on Glasgow Green from 11-13 July to see the liked of 50 Cent, Gracie Abrams and Biffy Clyro, and you could be there! Metro has teamed up with Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT Festival to offer four VIP tickets to one lucky winner. For a chance to win this massive music prize, simply enter your details here. You have until midnight on Sunday 6 July 2025 to enter using the form below. Entrants must be 18+. Good luck! T&Cs apply*. Click here if form is not loading. * Open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 18:01 BST on 2 July 2025 and closes at 23:59 BST on 6 July 2025. The promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required. Entrant must visit and when prompted by the form, submit their name, email, telephone number, date of birth and postcode. Acceptance of the terms and conditions is necessary to enter the promotion. There will be one (1) winner. The winner will win four (4) VIP weekend tickets for TRNSMT Festival, running from 11th – 13th July 2025 at Glasgow Green, in Glasgow ('Prize'). Proof of age and photographic ID are required for entry for all guests (the guests of the winner must be at least 16 years old at the time of entry). The Prize, including entry and attendance at TRSNMT festival, is subject to and governed by the Promoter's full ticket terms and conditions. 1 prize available. 1 entry per person. Full T&Cs apply, see here. Meanwhile, fellow member Naoise O Caireallain, who uses the stage name Moglai Bap, said, 'If anyone's free on the 20th of August, you wanna go to the court and support Mo Chara' before shouting, 'Free Mo Chara, free, free Mo Chara'. Wearing a keffiyeh, O'Hanna responded: 'I appreciate it, the 20th of August is going to be the second time Kneecap have beat the British Government in court – in their own court, on their own terms—and we're going to beat them for the second time. 'I tell you what, there is nothing like embarrassing the British Government.' Last year, Kneecap won a discrimination challenge over a decision by former business secretary Kemi Badenoch to refuse them a £14,250 funding award. The UK Government conceded it was 'unlawful' after the band launched legal action claiming the decision to refuse the grant discriminated against them on grounds of nationality and political opinion. It was agreed that the £14k+ sum would be paid by the Government to the group. Furthermore, amid this evening's performance, the group intermittently broke off the mosh pits and raucous crowd by addressing the war in Gaza, which is a recurring theme of their shows. O'Hanna said: 'It's usually around this point of the gig that we decide to talk about what's happening in Palestine. 'I understand that it's almost inhumane that I'm thinking of new things to say on stage during a genocide for sound bites. 'It's beyond words now, like, we always used to say, obviously they're being bombed from the skies with nowhere to go, but it's beyond that now. 'They've been being starved for a few months on end, and not only that, the areas that they have set up to collect aid and food have turned into killing fields, and they're killing hundreds a day trying to collect food.' He continued: 'It's beyond words, but again, we played in Plymouth last night to 750 people, and we did the same thing, so it doesn't matter how big or small our audience is; Kneecap will always use the platform for talking about this.' O Caireallain had said earlier in the gig: 'They can try and silence us, they can try and stop us, but we're not going to stop talking about Palestine—as long as there's a genocide happening in Palestine, we're going to keep talking about it, and yous are going to keep talking about it, and they can't stop us.' The UN human rights office has recorded 613 killings near humanitarian convoys and at aid distribution points in Gaza run by an Israeli-backed American organisation since it began operations in late May. More Trending Kneecap's impassioned pro-Palestine speeches this weekend come after the launch of an investigation into their Glastonbury set by Avon and Somerset Police. Also involved in a probe is Bob Vylan, whose performance saw singer Bobby Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, lead crowds in chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)'. Directly after the duo's set, Kneecap also performed on the West Holts Stage, where they chanted 'Free Palestine'. Currently, footage is being reviewed by an appointed senior detective to investigate whether comments made by either act amounted to a criminal offence. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The Starmiversary is here – where did it all go so wrong? MORE: What we know about Zarah Sultana's new party 'with Jeremy Corbyn' after she quits Labour MORE: From tears to cheers, readers discuss Rachel Reeves and tax rises
