Perth Museum in the running for prestigious prize

Daily Record

01-05-2025

City centre visitor attraction is on shortlist for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025.
Perth's landmark museum - home of the Stone of Destiny – is once again in the running one of the most prestigious cultural prizes.
It is one of five finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, which is the world's largest museum prize.
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The popular visitor attraction, which opened at the end of March 2024, welcomed over 250,000 visitors in its first year - smashing its visitor target of 167,000 by 50 per cent.
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Since opening the £27m museum has received a clutch of awards and has been nominated for three Museum + Heritage Awards.
Culture Perth and Kinross chief executive Helen Smout said: 'We are thrilled to be in the running as Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, and honoured to be the only Scottish museum on the shortlist.
'This nomination belongs to the people of Perth and Kinross, Scotland, and all our staff, volunteers, supporters, and contributors who have helped make Perth Museum a very special place since we opened just over a year ago.
'We are changing perspectives on what a small, regional museum can achieve.
'Regardless of who takes home the grand prize, we already feel like winners.'
Perthshire North MSP and First Minister John Swinney said: 'This is a fantastic achievement that speaks to the quality of Perth Museum, and the significant impact it has had on the local area.
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'I extend my sincere congratulations to all those involved in making Perth Museum such a memorable and engaging place to visit.
'Being shortlisted for such a prestigious prize is a testament to their hard work and ingenuity.'
Art Fund, the national charity for museums and galleries, shortlists annually five outstanding museums for Museum of the Year.
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The 2025 prize recognises inspiring projects and activity from autumn 2023 through to winter 2024.
In addition to looking at the overall achievements of the organisation, the judges are tasked with identifying impactful projects that spotlight the wide range of remarkable people, including museum staff and volunteers, who bring museums to life by engaging with communities, families and younger visitors, artists and creatives.
Perth Museum tells the story of over 10,000 years of Scottish and world history through a local lens.
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Alongside the Stone of Destiny, the Museum displays Perth and Kinross's Recognised Collections of National Significance as well as iconic loans and exhibitions.
The winner of the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, announced on June 26, will receive £120,000 and £15,000 will be given to each of the four other finalists.
The prize is funded by the generosity of Art Fund's members who buy a National Art Pass. During the shortlist celebration period (29 April to 26 June), Art Pass holders can enjoy free entry to the new Macbeth exhibition at Perth Museum, and 50% off all paid exhibitions at Perth Museum and Perth Art Gallery year-round.
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Art Fund director Jenny Waldman, speaking on behalf of the judges said: 'Congratulations to Perth Museum on being shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025.
'This year's finalists are 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.
'Each one offers a distinctive experience, showing the endless creativity and care that goes into making museums inspiring and exciting spaces for everyone. Art Fund is proud to celebrate their work and support their ambition through Art Fund Museum of the Year. We hope people across the UK will be inspired to visit these remarkable places and museums in their local area to discover the powerful role they can play in our lives.'
The Museum + Heritage awards ceremony will take place in London on May 15.