The Ashmolean's collections have been displayed in new ways. © Culture24
Four UK museums are preparing themselves for the UK’s biggest museums and gallery prize after being shortlisted for 2010 The Art Fund Prize.
With the winner announced on June 30, the four on the shortlist reflect the eclecticism we have come to expect of the UK's biggest single art prize which, as is customary, rewards a major museum redevelopment.
One of Britain's oldest museums, the Ashmolean in Oxford, has made the final four for a multi-million redevelopment, which doubled its size and introduced new features while retaining the ambience of a venerable old institution.
(Above) Coventry's Herbert Museum and Art Gallery
Blists Hill Victorian Town, one of our most popular open air museums in the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, makes the final four for its £12m redevelopment, which has introduced a landmark visitor centre and World Heritage Site exhibition, a new street of shops and trades, a clay-mining experience, a narrow gauge railway and an incline lift.
In Coventry, the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery has been recognised for its long track record of community engagement and engendering civic pride, which was consolidated in 2008 with a £20m redevelopment which introduced seven new permanent galleries, a history centre, creative media studios, education spaces, temporary exhibition galleries, collections stores and other visitor facilities.
Takabuti (above), an Egyptian mummy from the 7th century BC - just one of the artefacts now on display at the Ulster Museum
The gallery was recently awarded the Guardian family friendly award for its efforts in creating a warm and welcoming environment for all.
A final place on the shortlist goes to Ulster Museum for its Opening Up scheme, a £17.8 million project which has radically reconfigured the great Museum's listed building, also introducing a series of new galleries including interactive Learning Zones, a stunning new Applied Art Gallery and state-ofthe-art, 3 storey-high Window on Our World display.
The new Visitor Centre at Blists Hill
Chair of the judges, broadcaster Kirsty Young, described the task of selecting the four shortlisted museums as "very challenging".
"Our visits have been eye-opening and the exceptional quality of the long list has meant that we've been spoilt for choice. During our deliberations the judges' passion and enthusiasm for the museums and galleries was more than evident."
The Art Fund Prize website is hosting a public poll, with the option for voters to leave comments in support of their favourite museum or gallery. Votes and comments will be given to the Judges for their consideration when selecting this year’s Winner.
Visit www.artfundprize.org.uk for more information.
