Menu
16/06/2011
British Museum Scoops £100K Art Fund Prize
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt last night presented one of the culture sector's most prestigious accolades to one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions.
The British Museum’s groundbreaking project A History of the World won the 2011 Art Fund Prize, worth £100,000.
The project explored world history from two million years ago to the present day through artefacts in the museum’s collection. At its heart was a 100-part series on BBC Radio 4 entitled A History of the World in 100 Objects.
Michael Portillo, chair of this year’s judging panel, said: “We were particularly impressed by the truly global scope of the British Museum’s project, which combined intellectual rigour and open heartedness, and went far beyond the boundaries of the museum’s walls. Above all, we felt that this project, which showed a truly pioneering use of digital media, has led the way for museums to interact with their audiences in new and different ways.”
The Art Fund Prize annually awards £100,000 to a single museum or gallery for a project showing excellence, originality and imagination but it is the first time that a London-based national museum has won the prize.
The British Museum, which received nearly six million visitors last year according to figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, has said it will use the prize money to fund loan programmes with museums across the UK.
The winners of the Clore Award for Museum Learning, a new £10,000 award under the umbrella of the Art Fund Prize, were also announced. Judges were so impressed by the finalists that they selected two winners and doubled the prize money available. The South London Gallery and a consortium of the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History each took home £10,000.
(BMcN)
The British Museum’s groundbreaking project A History of the World won the 2011 Art Fund Prize, worth £100,000.
The project explored world history from two million years ago to the present day through artefacts in the museum’s collection. At its heart was a 100-part series on BBC Radio 4 entitled A History of the World in 100 Objects.
Michael Portillo, chair of this year’s judging panel, said: “We were particularly impressed by the truly global scope of the British Museum’s project, which combined intellectual rigour and open heartedness, and went far beyond the boundaries of the museum’s walls. Above all, we felt that this project, which showed a truly pioneering use of digital media, has led the way for museums to interact with their audiences in new and different ways.”
The Art Fund Prize annually awards £100,000 to a single museum or gallery for a project showing excellence, originality and imagination but it is the first time that a London-based national museum has won the prize.
The British Museum, which received nearly six million visitors last year according to figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, has said it will use the prize money to fund loan programmes with museums across the UK.
The winners of the Clore Award for Museum Learning, a new £10,000 award under the umbrella of the Art Fund Prize, were also announced. Judges were so impressed by the finalists that they selected two winners and doubled the prize money available. The South London Gallery and a consortium of the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History each took home £10,000.
(BMcN)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 November 2009
Anglo-Saxon Gold Haul Tops £3m
Anglo-Saxon treasure recently unearthed in Staffordshire has been valued at £3.28 million, the British Museum has said. The independent Treasure Valuation Committee reached the figure for the largest collection of treasure ever found after meeting at the museum.
Anglo-Saxon Gold Haul Tops £3m
Anglo-Saxon treasure recently unearthed in Staffordshire has been valued at £3.28 million, the British Museum has said. The independent Treasure Valuation Committee reached the figure for the largest collection of treasure ever found after meeting at the museum.
08 November 2012
£50m Museums And Galleries Boost Announced
Scotland’s museums and galleries are set to receive almost £50 million from the Scottish Government in 2013-14, the Culture Secretary has announced.
£50m Museums And Galleries Boost Announced
Scotland’s museums and galleries are set to receive almost £50 million from the Scottish Government in 2013-14, the Culture Secretary has announced.
24 January 2006
Whale's bones to go to Natural History Museum
The whale, which died in the River Thames at the weekend, is to be given to the Natural History Museum. The young female bottlenose whale made headlines around the world when she swam into the Thames last Friday. Hundreds of spectators gathered to witness the sight - no such animal had been spotted in the Thames since records began in 1913.
Whale's bones to go to Natural History Museum
The whale, which died in the River Thames at the weekend, is to be given to the Natural History Museum. The young female bottlenose whale made headlines around the world when she swam into the Thames last Friday. Hundreds of spectators gathered to witness the sight - no such animal had been spotted in the Thames since records began in 1913.
02 June 2005
Traditional painter gets Turner Prize nomination
A traditional painter, specialising in landscapes, still life and portraits, has been short-listed for the controversial Turner Prize. Gillian Carnegie is one of four artists short-listed for this year’s Turner Prize, which in previous years as been awarded to such controversial artists as Damien Hirst.
Traditional painter gets Turner Prize nomination
A traditional painter, specialising in landscapes, still life and portraits, has been short-listed for the controversial Turner Prize. Gillian Carnegie is one of four artists short-listed for this year’s Turner Prize, which in previous years as been awarded to such controversial artists as Damien Hirst.
10 April 2008
Trio Deny Helping July 7 Bombers
Three men from Leeds accused of helping those behind the July 7 bomb attack in London have denied conspiracy to cause an explosion. Jurors heard today that Waheed Ali, 24, Sadeer Saleem, 27, and Mohammed Shakil, 32, looked for potential locations to detonate bombs such as the Natural History Museum and the London Eye.
Trio Deny Helping July 7 Bombers
Three men from Leeds accused of helping those behind the July 7 bomb attack in London have denied conspiracy to cause an explosion. Jurors heard today that Waheed Ali, 24, Sadeer Saleem, 27, and Mohammed Shakil, 32, looked for potential locations to detonate bombs such as the Natural History Museum and the London Eye.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
