The Box Wins 2026 Art Fund Museum of the Year

The Box, Plymouth, won the Art Fund Museum of the Year prize, £120,000, presented on the Cutty Sark at Royal Museums Greenwich, London. It beat finalists: Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge), National Gallery (London), Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery (Norwich) and V&A East Storehouse (London), each receiving £20,000.

The Box Plymouth wins £120,000 Museum of the Year prizeBBC NewsThe Box in Plymouth, ‘a welcoming space’ which ‘reaches beyond its walls’, wins UK Art Fund’s Museum of the Year prizeThe Guardian

Opened September 2020 after a £48 million capital investment. Owned by Plymouth City Council; operated by the not-for-profit Arca (Plymouth) Limited. Holds more than two million artworks, objects and archival items.

The Box in Plymouth, ‘a welcoming space’ which ‘reaches beyond its walls’, wins UK Art Fund’s Museum of the Year prize

Victoria Pomery, chief executive, received the award. Jenny Waldman, Art Fund director and chair of the judges. June Sarpong, broadcaster and judge. Baroness Fiona Twycross, museums minister. Other judges: Tony Butler, Yinka Ilori MBE, Alice Loxton.

The Box in Plymouth, ‘a welcoming space’ which ‘reaches beyond its walls’, wins UK Art Fund’s Museum of the Year prize

1.3 million visitors in the first five years (Guardian, Independent, BBC) – the Art Newspaper cites “more than one million”. The 2025/26 season recorded 356 000 visits, exceeding the 300 000 target. Health-and-wellbeing benefits exceed £100 million (Guardian, BBC). Economic boost to Plymouth: £244 million (Guardian, Independent, BBC, Art Newspaper). The schools programme reaches 89 % of city schools, engaging about 10 000 children annually. Artist-led projects in 2025 included Osman Yousefzada’s *When Will We Be Good Enough?*, Jeremy Deller’s *Hello Sailor!* and Jyll Bradley’s *Running and Returning*.

The Guardian

Art Fund’s director highlighted the museum as a leading example of civic impact and long-term cultural investment. Plymouth City Council emphasized the museum’s role in local regeneration and community engagement. The museums minister praised the museum’s ability to bring Plymouth’s story to life and its connection with schools. Judges noted the Box’s ambition, inclusivity and audience-focused programming.

The Box Plymouth wins £120,000 Museum of the Year prize

Visitor totals differ slightly: some sources report “more than 1.3 million” while another cites “more than one million”. No other substantive contradictions appear.

BBC News

• “What stood out so strongly with the Box was the sense of pride and connection it has created across Plymouth,” — June Sarpong, Broadcaster and Judge

The Guardian

• “Jenny Waldman, director of Art Fund and chairwoman of the judges for Museum of the Year, said: “The Box is a revelation in so many ways – a true jewel in the crown of the South West.” — Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund

The Box Plymouth wins £120,000 Museum of the Year prize

• “Baroness Fiona Twycross, museums minister, said: “I was delighted to visit The Box last week and see first hand the incredible work being done to bring Plymouth’s remarkable story to life.” — Baroness Fiona Twycross, Museums Minister

The Box Plymouth wins £120,000 Museum of the Year prize

• “Through exhibitions that uncover overlooked histories to welcoming spaces for learning and creativity, the Box is reimagining what being a museum can mean.” — June Sarpong, Broadcaster and Judge

The Guardian

Summer 2026 programme includes *Echoes of Us* featuring works from the government art collection and *Gillian Ayres: A Life in Colour*, a seven-decade retrospective. The museum will continue community-focused projects and expand outreach to the remaining schools.

The Guardian