Museums are more than places where you can look at really, really old stuff. The have the ability to empower, to connect communities, to confront difficult topics and to spark important conversations. Those specific abilities are what is recognised by the Council of Europe Museum.
The prestigious award has been handed out by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe every year since 1977. It exists to highlights the attractions that have contributed to upholding human rights and democratic citizenship, broaden knowledge of contemporary societal issues and bridge cultures. This year, that grand prize went to London’s Young V&A
Once known as the V&A Museum of Childhood, the free-to-visit Young V&A reopened in Bethnal Green in 2023 following a huge £13 million refurbishment. It contains three main galleries – Imagine, Play and Design – tailored to different age groups. Part-soft play, part-cultural experience, kids (and adults, of course) can discover Victorian praxinoscopes, 1970s puppets, the extensive dolls’ house collection and classic British toys of days gone by.
Judges called it an ‘inspiring model for child-centred, research-informed, and socially engaged museum practice, notably for its effectiveness in demonstrating how a cultural institution can strengthen civic participation and intercultural dialogue by empowering children’.
Luz Martínez Seijo, the committee representative for the museum prize, said: ‘The Young V&A is a clearly outstanding museum in terms of its mission to engage visitors with the themes of human rights, equality, participation and cultural democracy.
‘It conveys a strong message of empowerment of young generations, particularly those from deprived areas who may have limited contact with mainstream and institutional cultural offerings, with experiences that can help them embrace the future with confidence and participate fully in democratic societies.’
The Council of Europe Prize is part of the wider European Museum of the Year awards. Last year, the headline prize (European Museum of the Year) went to Manchester Museum.
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