FOREWORD
EMYA 2025 Winners
The past year has been shaped by profound turbulence and complexity—not only for museums, but for societies across Europe and beyond. Political instability, economic uncertainty, deepening social polarization, and, in some regions, the devastating impact of armed conflict have created a volatile environment that affects nearly every aspect of life. Within this broader upheaval, museums face mounting challenges: diminishing freedoms, shrinking financial support, and, in some cases, threats to their physical security. They are navigating a world that feels on the cusp of a new global order—one that demands museums to rethink their roles, reaffirm their values, and reassert their relevance in a rapidly evolving landscape.
In the face of these turbulent conditions, museums have shown resilience and adaptability. They have often responded not with retreat, but with innovation, care, solidarity, and a deep sense of civic responsibility. Rather than focusing solely on preservation, they have acted with purpose—protecting cultural heritage, fostering inclusive dialogue, and staying attuned to the evolving needs and aspirations of their communities. In doing so, they continue to demonstrate that they are not only custodians of the past, but also civic institutions helping to shape a more just and equitable present and future.
As the European Museum Forum (EMF), we remain committed to recognizing and promoting excellence and innovation in the museum field. We see museums as active agents—spaces of inquiry, reflection, connection, and transformation. Through our annual awards program, we not only celebrate outstanding and forward-thinking practices, but also strive to foster cross-border exchange and strengthen networks that nurture professional development, critical dialogue, and long-term impact across the sector.
A total of forty-two museums from eighteen Council of Europe member states participated in this year’s competition, representing a rich and diverse spectrum of institutions—ranging from small, community-rooted initiatives to large national museums. These museums reflect a wide range of thematic focuses and demonstrate multiple approaches to engagement, interpretation, and public service, offering a vivid portrait of the many ways museums contribute to their communities across Europe. During the summer and autumn 2024, EMYA jury members visited each museum—some more than once. These on-site visits and in-depth evaluations enabled the jury to explore the full scope of each museum’s work and gain a nuanced understanding of the most recent developments, methodologies, and innovative responses in the field. The judging process was both thorough and reflective. With so many inspiring institutions in the running, the jury faced challenging decisions in selecting the awardees.
The 2025 awards winners represent a diverse spectrum of institutional models, thematic priorities, and geographic locations. Despite these differences, they share a common dedication to fostering positive transformation and advancing social impact.
Many of this year’s winners are leading the way in processes of restitution and reparation, actively engaging with difficult histories and working toward more just and inclusive futures. They are embracing participatory approaches to interpretation, programming, and governance—inviting communities to play a central role in shaping narratives and decision-making processes. In doing so, these institutions are not only offering platforms for dialogue and co-creation but also redefining the role of cultural spaces in contemporary society.
Several of the awardees have placed equity and accessibility at the heart of their institutional strategies. They are reimagining what it means to be truly open, inclusive, and representative in the 21st century, challenging traditional power dynamics and striving to create spaces that reflect and serve the full diversity of their publics.
We are proud to share their achievements in the pages that follow, and we invite you to engage with these brief portraits of each museum’s work—as sources of insight, inspiration, and potential collaboration.
Amina Krvavac
Chair, EMYA Jury
Manchester Museum is operated by the University of Manchester and housed in a striking neo-Gothic building at the heart of the university campus. With a collection of approximately 4.5 million objects spanning the natural sciences and human cultures, the Museum has been a centre of learning, research, and inspiration for over 130 years.
In 2023, the museum reopened following an ambitious transformation project. Guided by the core values of inclusion, equity, and care, the renewal introduced greater accessibility and created new spaces designed to foster deeper community connections and promote intercultural dialogue. This transformation enabled the museum to reimagine its mission, acknowledging and addressing its complex history by redefining the role of its collections and public programmes. Today, the Manchester Museum stands as a welcoming institution that celebrates the city’s diversity, serving individuals, families, and groups from all walks of life, speaking different languages, and representing a wide array of cultural backgrounds.
The museum’s top floor now hosts 18 charities, including a college for neurodiverse students. Climate-focused groups also collaborate with the museum, using its research to create initiatives such as green spaces in disadvantaged areas. The floor features a greenhouse, therapy room, co-working spaces, and an experimental area for community-led projects.
Its new exhibition spaces exemplify a forward-thinking institution committed to making its collections and resources accessible to everyone. As a university museum, it plays a vital role not only in academic research but also in advancing social responsibility and justice. This is reflected in its co-curation approach, which is seen as an ongoing process that collaborates with local and diasporic communities to incorporate multiple perspectives into the interpretation and presentation of its collections. Through its thoughtful, informed, and impactful engagement with communities, the museum continues to invest its resources and efforts in creating a truly inclusive space—where all individuals, regardless of their identity or background, can see themselves as belonging to the museum.
THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE MUSEUM PRIZE 2025
BILBAO, SPAIN
HOUSE OF THE BASQUE LANGUAGE. EUSKARAREN ETXEA
VISIT WEBSITE
The House of the Basque Language (Euskararen Etxea) and its Basque Language Interpretation Centre is a unique cultural space dedicated to the Basque language, its history, and the stories of its resilience and identity. The museum focuses on the intangible heritage of the Basque language, offering visitors an immersive experience that goes beyond objects to reflect the deep emotions, challenges, and resistance tied to Basque culture. It provides an opportunity to explore the significance, evolution, and role of the Basque language in fostering community.
The Centre is committed to accessibility, offering its content in Basque, Spanish, French, and English. This multilingual approach ensures that a diverse audience can engage with the exhibition and emphasises the interconnectedness of European languages and cultures. The Centre encourages visitors to explore the similarities and mutual influence between languages, providing a deeper understanding of European linguistic diversity.
THE KENNETH HUDSON AWARD FOR INSTITUTIONAL COURAGE AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY 2025
TBILISI, GEORGIA
NINI SANADIRADZE, FORMER GENERAL DIRECTOR OF THE UNION OF TBILISI MUSEUMS
This year’s Kenneth Hudson Award is presented to Nini Sanadiradze, the former director of the Union of Tbilisi Museums in Georgia. The award recognises her remarkable strength and commitment to upholding democratic values in the face of persistent attempts to undermine her professional and personal integrity.
Her leadership exemplifies resilience and dedication, particularly in her efforts to foster social justice through her work with diverse communities. Sanadiradze’s courage serves as an inspiring example for museum professionals, not only in Georgia but across the global cultural sector. Her unwavering commitment to democracy and inclusion continues to impact the museum field, reaffirming the crucial role museums play in defending and nurturing societal values.
THE SILLETTO PRIZE FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT 2025
PORTIMÃO, PORTUGAL
ALVOR LIFEBOAT INTERPRETATION CENTER
VISIT WEBSITE
The Alvor Lifeguard Interpretative Centre (CISA), opened in 2023, is an example of how museums can serve as powerful agents of community engagement and cultural preservation. Housed in a restored former lifeguard station overlooking the Atlantic, CISA is located in Alvor, a historic coastal village in southern Portugal where fishing has long been central to daily life and identity.
The lifeguard station, once a vital symbol of safety for fishermen facing the perils of the open sea, has been reimagined as a space to safeguard the collective memory of the community it serves. Its transformation into a museum was made possible through active collaboration between the residents of Alvor and the Museum of Portimão, with local people contributing stories, photographs, artefacts, and expertise to shape the museum from the ground up.
Its permanent exhibition tells the rich, layered story of Alvor’s maritime heritage—from the era of hand-rowed and sail-powered boats, guided by the stars, to the present-day realities of fishing in an increasingly unpredictable environment affected by climate change and ecological shifts. The exhibition places equal emphasis on the past and present, celebrating not only the history of the village but also the resilience and adaptability of those who continue to work at sea today.
More than a museum, CISA is a living, breathing community centre. It actively supports the continuation of traditional artisanal fishing practices and the preservation of endangered skills, serving as a platform for intergenerational knowledge exchange. Through co-curated displays, storytelling sessions, workshops, and events, residents can see their own lives, labour, and traditions reflected with dignity and value.
THE MEYVAERT MUSEUM PRIZE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 2025
LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS, SWITZERLAND
MUZOO
VISIT WEBSITE
MUZOO was reopened in 2022 after major renovations that combined a natural history museum and a zoological garden to create a unique, entertaining, and informative learning experience. Its sites include a zoological garden, a public park, and the main museum, forming an innovative museological space that explores the complex relationship between people and their environment through a visitor experience offering direct contact with animals. Its permanent and temporary exhibitions address biodiversity and sustainability. At the same time, the use and care of its natural spaces and the management of the municipal park aim to foster new attitudes about animal welfare, inviting community members to care for local animals.
MUZOO also operates an Injured Wildlife Care Centre, where volunteers help care for animals that have sustained injuries due to human activity. MUZOO has been developing as a central hub for local biodiversity associations contributing to citizen science. They conduct projects in the field, allowing nature enthusiasts to impact the environment positively. Volunteers participate in scientific projects, such as counting nesting birds, transporting amphibians across dangerous roads, or identifying bats in the urban environment.
THE PORTIMÃO MUSEUM PRIZE FOR WELCOMING, INCLUSION AND BELONGING 2025
ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE
ISTANBUL MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
VISIT WEBSITE
Founded in 2004 as Türkiye’s first museum of modern and contemporary art, Istanbul Modern opened its new building on the shores of the Bosphorus in 2023. The museum spans over 10,500 m² and offers extensive temporary exhibition spaces, interdisciplinary educational programs for all audiences, and film screenings. Its permanent collection covers the period from 1945 to the present, featuring works by national and international artists that reflect Türkiye’s artistic creativity and its historical and social contexts. Istanbul Modern also serves as a platform for emerging artists and a venue for innovative exhibitions, fostering new conversations about the evolving nature of culture and society in Türkiye and beyond.
Its commitment to education, accessibility, and bridging local and international art practices makes it a vital cultural institution in Istanbul. The museum’s inviting building, located between the city and the Bosphorus on a historically significant waterfront, creates a welcoming atmosphere where diverse visitors naturally feel they belong. Large, light-filled spaces encourage lingering, conversation, and engagement with the art, fostering a true sense of community. The museum’s extensive educational outreach further strengthens its commitment to inclusion, often designed in collaboration with local schools and engaging over 500 young visitors daily. Programmes focused on gender equality, empowerment, sustainability, and creativity ensure visitors of all backgrounds feel seen, valued, and connected to the museum’s mission.
The Foundation Museum Ovartaci is the only art museum in Denmark dedicated to artists with mental health issues. The museum is designed in a new concrete brutalist building within the ‘Kulturhus Bunkeren’ culture hub, a new business area in the northern part of Aarhus, next to the University Hospital. The permanent exhibition presents the collection of Louis Marcussen, also known as Ovartaci, who spent over fifty years as a patient in the Psychiatric Hospital in Risskov, near Aarhus. Visitors learn about Ovartaci’s life and works, which serve as a premise for mental health education, prompting questions intended to champion received ideas on mental illness. The museum’s efforts to promote social interaction and participation, irrespective of background, diagnosis or beliefs, as pivotal to mental well-being, are commendable. It also offers various activities for children and young visitors through partnerships within the cultural and health sectors, including a creative workshop for vulnerable people. The museum is also operated mainly by a team of part-time workers with different forms of physical or mental disability.
The Korsak’s Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art, located within Lutsk’s Adrenaline City cultural and entertainment complex, is dedicated to promoting Ukrainian art and deepening cultural and artistic appreciation. Its mission is to transform the past, reflect the present, and shape the future while elevating Ukrainian art on the European and global stages.
As the largest museum of contemporary Ukrainian art, its four floors and fifteen exhibition halls display the work of more than 300 prominent Ukrainian artists. The permanent collection includes more than 700 artworks across different periods from the 20th and 21st centuries, including realism, socialist realism, modernism, abstraction, and surrealism.
The museum seeks to connect Ukrainian contemporary art with the broader European art scene in the context of Ukraine’s European integration. Its dedication to rediscovering forgotten Ukrainian artists and facilitating discussions about the impact of totalitarianism on artistic expression is commendable, as are its exhibitions that encourage visitors to consider art’s profound role in society and reconsider its potential to foster free thought and diverse perspectives.
The İşbank Museum of Painting and Sculpture is located on Istiklal Street, one of Istanbul’s busiest pedestrian streets. Funded by Türkiye’s first private bank, İşbank, the museum is housed in the historicl Boudouy Apartment, which was built in 1907 and which served as a branch of İşbank from 1953 to 2016. Established by İşbank in 2004, the museum’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, and drawings by prominent Turkish artists. In 2020, the museum underwent substantial renovations and reopened in 2023 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye. Since then, it has hosted the inaugural permanent exhibition, Observing Turkish Art, showcasing a diverse collection of works from the late 19th century to the present. Along with its temporary exhibitions and public programmes, the museum aims to promote art appreciation to broad audiences. Its distinctive curatorial approach brings previously lesser-known artistic positions to the fore, thereby allowing for new and often surprising perspectives on the nation’s art history. Its architecture combines modern design with historicl elements, creating a unique and welcoming environment for art lovers and the general public.
The House of Music Hungary (HoM) is a new cultural complex in the City Park of Budapest whose aim is to bring music to diverse audiences through innovative and creative learning experiences and musical performances by international and local musicians. HoM’s interactive, permanent, and temporary exhibitions present European and Hungarian music history, from rural sounds to contemporary Sinti and Roma music. HoM is an active teaching and learning space where students, residents and visitors to the city can experience sounds and music in cooperation with several European art universities, research Hungarian and European music in its documentation centre, and see indoor and outdoor live performances in the new concert hall. Its outreach programmes also include a broad range of activities for schools in marginalised areas of the country. HoM’s core message and curatorial programming are commendable: music is inclusive and should be accessible to everyone, regardless of education, economic status, or social standing.
The Wien Museum on Karlsplatz has been Vienna’s popular city museum since 1959. Its recent renovations and extensions have almost doubled its size and further developed its exhibition and educational programmes. The new Wien Museum aims to be an open house committed to a pluralistic, cosmopolitan, and progressive society. Its expanded permanent exhibition, Vienna. My History, brings visitors closer to present-day Vienna and its recent transformation, character, and challenges. The museum has also developed new outreach programmes, a new collection policy focused on everyday culture, and a Community Gallery, which presents content co-created with local communities and enables new and effective ways for broad audiences to link the past with contemporary issues. More than a city museum, Wien Museum seeks to be a cultural resource and an inspiring place for everyone living in Vienna or visiting the city. Its public viewing terrace also offers a new and free attraction in the heart of Vienna.
The Maria Callas Museum was inaugurated in a three-story neoclassical house in downtown Athens in 2023. It is the first museum dedicated to the world-renowned singer’s life and work. The museum aims to convey Calla’s artistic personality and present her work to a broad audience, especially those unfamiliar with opera. Visitors are immersed in the world of the opera singer through texts, objects, videos, and rare sound clips, as the life and career of Maria Callas unfold. The museum includes details of her upbringing in Greece, her international career and major roles, her personality, the moments and the people of her life, and the legacy she left behind. Its innovative scenography powerfully and skillfully captures the theatricality and performance that defined her career and primary artistic expression.
Museum Arnhem reopened in 2022 with a new wing, a restored old building, and a sculpture park. An art and heritage museum where nature, history, and culture meet, the museum documents the city’s history through the stories and art of its residents. It features more than 25,000 works of realistic, contemporary art, jewellery and design. Its collection also includes a specific focus on work by female artists. The collection is presented to the public through a series of temporary exhibitions, exhibited in dialogue with emerging and established artists. The museum’s new public spaces encourage the local community’s participation and involvement, showing how art can foster a sense of community and belonging. The new spaces include a studio space where exhibitions can be created with local residents and institutions, and educational programmes where residents, families and children can join in creative sessions led by contemporary artists. The museum’s garden is also open free of charge to all who wish to enjoy the sculptures, the view and nature.
EMF Board of Trustees 2025
- Joan Roca, Trustee Former director of MUHBA, Spain
- Sharon Heal, Secretary Director Museums Association, United Kingdom
- Hans Looijen, Treasurer, Chair ad interim Museologist, Le Mont Entier, France
- Amina Krvavac, Trustee Executive Director, War Childhood Museum, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Léontine Meijer-van Mensch, Trustee Director, Museum of Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Michał Wiśniewski, Trustee Head of Educational Department – Academy of Heritage, International Cultural Centre, Poland
- Medea S. Ekner, ex-officio Director-General, ICOM
The EMYA Jury 2025
- Amina Krvavac, Chair, Executive Director, War Childhood Museum Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Agnes Aljas, Research Secretary, National Museum of Estonia Estonia
- Beat Hächler, Director, Swiss Alpine Museum Switzerland
- Danielle Kuijten, Director, Imagine IC Netherlands
- Dominika Mroczkowska-Rusiniak, Cultural Projects Manager, National Institute for Museums Poland
- Adriana Muñoz, Curator, National Museum of World Cultures Sweden
- Joan Seguí, Director, L’Etno Spain
- Mathieu Viau-Courville , Lecturer, University of Lorraine France
- Friedrich von Bose, Senior Researcher of Museum Studies, University of Zurich Switzerland
- Zandra Yeaman, Curator of Discomfort, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow United Kingdom
Council of Europe
Founding Partner
Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe is a European human rights organisation with 46 member States that seeks to develop and promote common democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights, a treaty designed to protect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
The Council of Europe advocates for human dignity, equality, non-discrimination, protection of minorities, respect for cultural diversity, freedom of expression and of the media, freedom of assembly, citizen participation and education in human rights and democracy.
Since 1977, the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has selected and awarded the Council of Europe Museum Prize, in close partnership with the European Museum Forum (EMF) following the judging process and recommendations of the EMYA jury.
Partners
Thanks to our Supporters
The European Museum Forum would like to thank all the National Correspondents, individuals, and organizations that have supported our work throughout the year.
- Heritage & Museums
- German Museums Association
- Finnish Museums Association
- Norwegian Museums Association
- Polish National Institute for Museums
- Swiss Museums Association
- Swiss Museum Pass
- The Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, Department for Heritage and Arts
For further details about EMYA Awards please go to
https://europeanforum.museum/emya-scheme/awards/
CANDIDATES FOR THE EUROPEAN MUSEUM OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2025
- Salon Stolz, GRAZ, AUSTRIA
- Wien Museum, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
- Carl Nielsen Museum, ODENSE, DENMARK
- Foundation Museum Ovartaci, AARHUS, DENMARK
- Ensérune, Oppidum and Archaeological Museum, NISSAN-LEZ-ENSÉRUNE, FRANCE
- National Navy Museum, PARIS, FRANCE
- Savoisien Museum, CHAMBÉRY, FRANCE
- Deutschlandmuseum, BERLIN, GERMANY
- Maria Callas Museum, ATHENS, GREECE
- House of Music Hungary, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
- Gallerie D'italia, NAPOLI, ITALY
- Gallerie D'italia, TORINO, ITALY
- Het Loo Palace, APELDOORN, THE NETHERLANDS
- Open Air Museum Het Hoogeland, WARFFUM, THE NETHERLANDS
- Museum Arnhem, ARNHEM, THE NETHERLANDS
- UMU – University Museum Utrecht, UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS
- Miffy Museum, UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, OSLO, NORWAY
- Coastal Express Museum, STOKMARKNES, NORWAY
- Central Museum of Textiles In Łódź, ŁÓDŹ, POLAND
- Museum of Photography in Kraków, KRAKÓW, POLAND
- Krzysztofory Palace, Museum of Kraków, KRAKÓW, POLAND
- “Under The Swan” Pharmacy, Department of the Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum in Bydgoszcz, BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND
- Museum of Amber, Department of Museum of Gdańsk, GDAŃSK, POLAND
- Alvor Lifeboat Interpretation Center, PORTIMÃO, PORTUGAL
- Serralves Museum, PORTO, PORTUGAL
- Collective Memory Point, VAD, ROMANIA
- House of the Volcanoes, LANZAROTE, SPAIN
- Museum of Iberian Art El Cigarralejo, MULA, SPAIN
- The House of Architecture, MADRID, SPAIN
- House of the Basque Language. Euskararen Etxea, BILBAO, SPAIN
- Medical History Museum, GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN
- Enter Technikwelt Solothurn, SOLOTHURN, SWITZERLAND
- Muzoo, LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS, SWITZERLAND
- International Museum of the Reformation, GENEVE, SWITZERLAND
- Glacier Garden Lucerne, LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
- İşbank Museum of Painting-sculpture, ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE
- Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum, BODRUM, TÜRKIYE
- Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE
- Korsak's Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art, LUTSK, UKRAINE
- Manchester Museum, MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM
- Sainsbury Centre, NORWICH, UNITED KINGDOM
EMYA
Impressum
EUROPEAN MUSEUM FORUM
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EMF website
www.europeanforum.museum
Council of Europe website
http://website-pace.net/web/apce/the-museum-prize
European Museum of the Year Awards. The Winners 2025
Published by: European Museum Forum
Edited by: Mathieu Viau-Courville, Amina Krvavac, Dominika Mroczkowska-Rusiniak, Zandra Yeaman
Graphic Layout: Submarine, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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