This year’s commendations were hotly contended and close runners up to the two Oxford Museums were SS Great Britain and The Collection, Lincoln. Eleven very different and outstanding events were shortlisted for Commendation (see list and case studies).
This year’s Museums and Galleries Month (in May) saw an unprecedented number of evening events centred around the Weekend of 18/19 and 20th May based on the European-wide Nuit des Musees on Saturday 19 May. Many others were linked to the MGM theme “People – who are we?” inspiring a wide range of events and activities including art and family history.
Ylva French, Executive Director of the Campaign for Museums which organises Museums and Galleries Month added:
“This year Museums at Night as a concept really took off. This was partly due to our cooperation with the promotions company for the Twentieth Century film “Night at the Museum”. This made it possible for 50 museums around the country to show the film to the public without restrictions over the Museums at Night weekend.
“This initiative, as well as the commitment of many national museums in London and in the regions including museums throughout Tyne and Wear to late night openings with special events and even special transport has made all the difference.
“What people are looking for increasingly in museums and galleries is a chance to see something different and to join in. All the events shortlisted for this year’s MGM Commendation Scheme whether large or small allowed visitors that special involvement.”
The two Oxford Museums will receive £500 towards next year’s Museums and Galleries Month event. All the commended and shortlisted museums will be featured on the MGM website, as their case studies aim to inspire those looking for ideas for next year’s MGM, when the theme is “Ideas and Innovation”. Read about past successes in Case Studies.
The judging panel included Javier Pes, editor of Museum Practice, Elise Oliver, Archives Awareness Campaign, Emily Burns, head of events, English Heritage, Abigail Walker, Renaissance programme manager, MLA, and Rachael Evans, regional audience development officer, MLA Eest Midlands. Emily, Elise and Rachael are all members of the Museums and Galleries Month Strategy Group.
