The British Museum and the Marsh Christian Trust are looking for nominees for their first museum volunteers’ award.
There will be 12 regional prizes and one overall winner for the volunteer who has been judged as the best at engaging the public with museum collections.
Museum Association director Mark Taylor is backing the project and is encouraging museums across the country to take part.
He said: “Major museums use volunteers for both front of house activities and behind the scenes but many more smaller museums are completely dependent on volunteer dedication and commitment.
“Although it may not seem obvious to visitors, large parts of the museum sector would collapse without volunteers. We are pleased that this award exists to acknowledge the efforts of volunteers in museums across the country.”
Any individual or group can enter the project and the work carried out must have taken place in 2008 and have been centred on learning and education.
Volunteers will be judged on the difference they have made to the museum, how they have improved the visitor experience and feedback from museum staff and visitors.
Each of the regional winners will receive £250 and the overall winner will win £1000, entries must be made by 5pm on Monday March 16, 2009.
For more information or to enter a volunteer go to The British Museum website
