The Museum of Making (Derby Museums) has been selected as one of the five finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022, the world’s largest museum prize.

The other four shortlisted museums are: Horniman Museum and Gardens (London), People’s History Museum (Manchester), The Story Museum (Oxford) and Tŷ Pawb (Wrexham).

Tony Butler, Executive Director of Derby Museums says: “I am thrilled that the Museum of Making has been shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022. For over 300 years Derby Silk Mill has been a symbol of the city as a place for innovation and creativity. We are so proud of the transformation of the Mill into a live, interactive museum, where people can learn, think and make. Through its exhibitions, studios and workshops the Museum of Making not only celebrates our past, but will inspire future generations. The recognition by the Art Fund is a tribute to the collective effort of staff, volunteers and the wider community who have shaped this wonderful museum, for which I am very thankful.”

Art Fund annually shortlists five outstanding museums for the Museum of the Year prize.

The 2022 edition champions organisations whose achievements tell the story of museums’ creativity and resilience, and particularly focuses on those engaging the next generation of audiences in innovative ways.

The winning museum will be announced at a ceremony at the Design Museum on 14 July and will receive £100,000.  The other four shortlisted museums will each receive £15,000 in recognition of their achievements.

The members of this year’s judging panel, chaired by Art Fund Director Jenny Waldman, are: Dame Diane Lees, Director-General, Imperial War Museums; Harold Offeh, artist and educator; Dr Janina Ramirez, cultural historian and broadcaster, and Huw Stephens, BBC Radio 6 DJ and broadcaster.  The judges will visit each of the finalists to help inform their decision-making, while each museum will make the most of being shortlisted over the summer through special events and activities for both new and current visitors. #museumoftheyear

Speaking on behalf of the judges, Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund said: “An abundance of applications to be Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022 shows the creativity and resilience of museums right around the country, despite the immense challenges of the last two years. The five superb finalists are all museums on a mission who are tackling the vital issues of today – from combating the climate emergency to improving literacy or exploring migration – and reaching diverse communities as they do so. Each is working hard to encourage the next generation to get involved, both to inspire them and to equip them with essential skills.” 

The Museum of Making opened in May 2021 following a multimillion-pound transformation. Standing on what is widely regarded as the site of the world’s first modern factory at Derby Silk Mill, this pioneering museum celebrates Derbyshire’s 300-year history of making, innovation, and technology. It also looks to the future of making and inspires creativity, as at the heart of the museum is the state-of-the-art workshop – a dedicated space packed full of specialist equipment and skilled staff who are on hand to help visitors get creative.

Find out What’s On at the Museum of Making.