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Manchester Museum has been named European Museum of the Year for 2025
A very well-deserved win.
Emily Sergeant -
28th May 2025 
Manchester Museum has been awarded the prestigious title of European Museum of the Year for 2025.
Congratulations are in order, because Manchester Museum – which is part of The University of Manchester (UoM) – has received one of the most prestigious museum awards in the world, the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA), and has made history in doing so too, as it’s the first university museum to ever receive the annual prize.
It beat out 41 other cultural hubs across the continent to claim the coveted prize.
Operated by the European Museum Forum (EMF), EMYA recognises new or redeveloped museums that showcase the best in excellence and innovation in their field.
According to the organisation, the aim of the award is to shine a worthy spotlight on museums that promote inter-cultural dialogue and community participation, demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, and show creative and imaginative approaches to the production of knowledge.
Judges praised how Manchester Museum has ‘reimagined its mission’ since its £15 million redevelopment completed back in February of 2023, which was described as ‘the most ambitious museum transformation in a generation’.
The major bricks and mortar redevelopment introduced new galleries, partnerships, visitor facilities, and sector-leading work around repatriation, restitution, and indigenisation to what was an already-important visitor attraction in our city centre, as well as the top floor being transformed into an environmental and social justice hub for environmental and educational charities to address issues affecting communities within Manchester.
The museum was also praised by judges for acknowledging and addressing its complex history by redefining the role of its collections and public programmes, with its approach to co-curation cited as part of this, especially working with local and diasporic communities to bring new perspectives to collections and challenging traditional narratives.
Judges also made sure to comment on the museum’s ‘thoughtful, informed, and impactful community engagement’ which helps to create a truly inclusive space where all individuals can see themselves reflected and represented.
Speaking on the prestigious award win, Esme Ward, who is the Director of Manchester Museum, said: “Museums have the power to be empathy machines, bringing generations and communities together to build understanding, while confronting the past with honesty and transparency.
Read more:
- Manchester Museum shortlisted for prestigious European Museum of the Year award following £15m redevelopment
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- Manchester Museum has returned 174 cultural heritage items to Australian Aboriginal communities
“More than ever before, we need museums that are values-led, imaginative and confident about what they stand for.”
Featured Image – Chris Bull (via Manchester Museum)
