THE WORKERS MUSEUM WINS 2023 COUNCIL OF EUROPE MUSEUM PRIZE

With great joy, the European Museum Forum shares the decision by the CoE on the 2023 Winner of the Council of Europe Museum Prize.

The 2023 winners in other categories will be announced on the last day of the EMYA2023 Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony that will take place in Barcelona from 3 to 6 May 2023. 

STATEMENT BY THE EMF/EMYA ON THE INVASION OF UKRAINE

The European Museum Forum (EMF)/European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) is, as are other cultural organisations across the world, deeply concerned and distressed by the attack of the Russian Federation’s army on civilians and civic institutions in Ukraine.

Since the 1970s the EMF/EMYA has worked to connect cultures and to bridge social and political borders based on the values of citizenship, democracy and human rights. During this time EMYA has welcomed museum candidates and selected prize winners from all areas of Europe.

However, bearing in mind the recent events, it is with much regret that we now see it as necessary to temporarily suspend our, up to now fruitful and constructive, collaboration with Russian museums and museum professionals and their involvement in the awards, until the hostilities waged on Ukraine are deescalated and an acceptable solution negotiated.

EMF/EMYA is also working to find ways to lend positive support to museums and colleagues in Ukraine.

Jouetta Van Der Ploeg, EMF Trustee

It is a huge privilege to be a trustee of the EMF. For more than 41 years EMYA/EMF tunes into developments in European society and describes, interprets, recommends and advises on the implications of these changes for the museum and heritage sector.

EMYA through its scheme provides a unique opportunity to have a first hand experience of the current trends in the European museums and the way they deal with crises and turbulent political upheavals in this rapidly changing world. The nominated museums - either large and well-resourced or the very smallest -never fail to surprise in their diversity and ingenuity, in their commitment to supporting new ideas and public quality. More and more museums proclaim values like humanity, courage, solidarity, democracy and human rights. They fight against alienation and defend responsible citizenship.

To be part of this process is an inspiring, humbling and often emotional experience.

Amina Krvavac, Chair of the EMYA Jury

Over the past years, I have had a chance to interact with the EMYA judging panel, to learn about its work and the values it stands for, as well as its detailed evaluation process, but from the perspective of a museum candidate for one of the prizes awarded under the EMYA scheme.

In the course of this process, I understood how valuable the existence and work of EMYA is for any European museum, big or small, old or new, as it continuously inspires and motivates the museums to strive for higher quality and excellence in all aspects of their work. Becoming a judge and finding myself on the other side of the process is an incredible honour, one that comes with great responsibility to contribute to this important mission.

Joining EMYA judging panel is an incredible opportunity to get to know and work closely with an inspiring and dedicated group of professionals on promoting and advocating for excellence and innovation in the European museum sector. The privilege that comes with being an EMYA judge also lies in visiting and learning about the incredible work of nominated museums. Engaging in meaningful conversations with a very diverse pool of professionals allows for personal and professional growth, resulting in life-enriching experience.

M. Cristina Vannini, National Correspondent, Italy

I have been part of the big EMF/EMYA family since 2004, having held most of the roles: advisor, national correspondent, board member and now, once again, national correspondent (it is almost impossible to leave EMF/EMYA once you've gotten involved!) with a deeper understanding of the meaning of this organization than I had at the beginning of my involvement.

The vision of EMF has changed over all these years, shaping upon the ideas of different Presidents and Boards, but the stated mission of founder Kenneth Hudson is still here to remind us of the central significance of public quality and innovation in the museum field. 

My own personal professional growth owes much to the teachings and values of EMF, which I have tried to apply to my work as a museum consultant and lecturer in museum studies in a country where, even recently, the main concerns and policies on museums are still oriented towards conservation and less towards experience. Italy has always been underrepresented in EMYA, but the museums that have accepted the challenge have reported an extraordinary experience that has taught them to open up their views, to confront the outside world, and to establish a true dialogue with their societies and wider stakeholders to meet their mutual ends. And it is this what makes me continue to believe that the role of EMF/EMYA has a bearing in the years to come.