Latest news with #EMYA
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Manchester Museum named European Museum Of The Year
Manchester Museum has won the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA), hailed by judges for "balancing globally-significant academic research with community engagement and social responsibility". The museum, part of the University of Manchester, is the first university museum to receive the accolade, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards of its kind in the world. It topped a shortlist of 41 museums, including the world-renowned Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Judges praised how the museum, on Oxford Road, "reimagined its mission, acknowledging and addressing its complex history by redefining the role of its collections and public programmes". The museum - which is free to visit - was also praised for "thoughtful, informed, and impactful community engagement, creating a truly inclusive space where all individuals, regardless of identity or background, can see themselves reflected and represented". Esme Ward, director of the Manchester Museum, accepted the award at a ceremony at the Sybir Memorial Museum in Białistok, Poland - winner of the Council of Europe Museum Prize last year. "Museums have the power to be empathy machines - bringing generations and communities together to build understanding, while confronting the past with honesty and transparency," said Ms Ward. "More than ever before, we need museums that are values-led, imaginative and confident about what they stand for." Operated by the European Museum Forum (EMF), EMYA recognises either new museums or established museums which have undertaken a programme of modernisation. An average of around 45 museums apply each year, from across the 46 member countries. Two main awards, the EMYA and the Council of Europe Museum Prize, have been awarded continuously since 1977. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Museum's £15m revamp puts spotlight on South Asia Manchester Museum
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hit the North! Manchester Museum wins the 2025 European Museum of the Year Award
The Manchester Museum has collected this year's top honour at the European Museum of the Year Awards, which were presented on the last day of the EMYA2025 Conference in Poland at the Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok. On a self-proclaimed mission to become the 'most inclusive, imaginative, and caring, museum you'll ever see,' the Manchester Museum was awarded the prize in a year focused on 'Remembrance and Solidarity for Collective Action'. Part of the University of Manchester, this natural history museum was established in 1867 and boasts a collection of about 4.5 million items hailing from every continent. These include archaeological and anthropological artefacts, as well as a vivarium featuring live amphibians. The last exhibit in particular is the only place outside of Panama where visitors can see the critically endangered harlequin toad, which is known by researchers and enthusiasts alike for its striking colors. The European Museum of the Year Award was presented by Amina Krvavac, Chair of the EMYA Jury. In a year focused on solidarity and collective action, the Manchester Museum was recognised specifically for 'enhancing accessibility' and creating 'new spaces to foster deeper community connections and promote intercultural dialogue,' according to a statement from the awards. The museum was also specifically acknowledged for the ways in which it grappled with its colonial past. As museums around the world, including many in the UK, have grappled with the ways in which it has acquired and presented archaeological artefacts, the Manchester Museum, also born of Empire, has, according to the Awards committee 'reimagined its mission' by 'acknowledging and addressing its complex history by redefining the role of its collections and public programmes.' But what do these changes look like in practice? For one, the museum has placed heavy emphasis on highlighting the perspectives of indigenous peoples, and allowing people from those communities to curate and tell their own stories. Such is the case for 'Anindilyakwa Arts: Stories from our Country' an exhibition currently on display, which explores the culture and traditions of the Anindilyakwa People or Warnumamalya (true people), the Traditional Owners of the Groote archipelago off the north coast of Australia. This exhibit in particular was designed by and written with Anindilyakwa artists and Elders. In addition to this, in 2023, 174 cultural heritage items were returned by the Manchester Museum to their country, demonstrating an active desire on the part of the museum to right historical wrongs. The choice of venue for the awards was also carefully considered. Last year, the Sybir Memorial Museum won the Council of Europe Museum prize for its contributions to upholding human rights and democratic citizenship. The museum explores the stories of Poles deported to the USSR during the Second World War, and was praised for its ability to bring history to life 'through workshops, events, media, publications, and new formats.' This year's Council of Europe Museum Prize went to the Euskararen Etxea, the House of the Basque Language in Bilbao, Spain. This space, described by the awards committee as 'a unique cultural space dedicated to the Basque language, its history, and the stories of resilience and identity associated with it,' was awarded for its exploration of 'the deep emotions, challenges, and resistance tied to the Basque culture.' While this museum focuses on the history of the minority language used primarily in Spain, it offers exhibits in English, French, Spanish, as well as Basque, making it accessible to a wider variety of visitors. The museum recognised for community engagement was the Alvor Lifeguard Interpretative Centre (CISA) in Portimão, Portugal. Much like the Manchester Museum, CISA places heavy emphasis on people-forward exhibitions, with stories being told by the people they are about. CISA itself focuses on preserving traditional artisanal fishing practices and labour traditions, with many contributions coming from local residents. The Portimão Museum Prize for Welcoming, Inclusion and Belonging, which celebrates a 'friendly atmosphere of inclusion', went to the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, which was recognized for the ways in which it reaches out to young people. The museum boasts an average of 500 young visitors a day, according to the awards committee. Awarded for environmental sustainability was MUZOO, a contemporary Swiss space which invites locals to care for animals to foster conversations about biodiversity. It combines exhibits with interactive experiences that both create environmental dialogue and leave a lasting impression once the visitors leave. Nini Sanadiradze, the former General Director of The Union of Tbilisi Museums, was also honored as an individual for her 'courageous, at times controversial, museum practices that challenge and expand common perceptions of the role and responsibilities of museums in society.' She was also recognized with a medal of honor by the former Georgian president, Salome Zourabichvili, for her 'exceptional dedication to safeguarding and conserving Georgian cultural and historical heritage.' Next year's awards will be held at the Euskararen Etxea in Bilbao.
Euronews
26-05-2025
- General
- Euronews
Manchester Museum is the European Museum of the Year 2025
The Manchester Museum has collected this year's top honour at the European Museum of the Year Awards, which were presented on the last day of the EMYA2025 Conference in Poland at the Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok. On a self-proclaimed mission to become the 'most inclusive, imaginative, and caring, museum you'll ever see,' the Manchester Museum was awarded the prize in a year focused on 'Remembrance and Solidarity for Collective Action'. Part of the University of Manchester, this natural history museum was established in 1867 and boasts a collection of about 4.5 million items hailing from every continent. These include archaeological and anthropological artefacts, as well as a vivarium featuring live amphibians. The last exhibit in particular is the only place outside of Panama where visitors can see the critically endangered harlequin toad, which is known by researchers and enthusiasts alike for its striking colors. The European Museum of the Year Award was presented by Amina Krvavac, Chair of the EMYA Jury. In a year focused on solidarity and collective action, the Manchester Museum was recognised specifically for 'enhancing accessibility' and creating 'new spaces to foster deeper community connections and promote intercultural dialogue,' according to a statement from the awards. The museum was also specifically acknowledged for the ways in which it grappled with its colonial past. As museums around the world, including many in the UK, have grappled with the ways in which it has acquired and presented archaeological artefacts, the Manchester Museum, also born of Empire, has, according to the Awards committee 'reimagined its mission' by 'acknowledging and addressing its complex history by redefining the role of its collections and public programmes.' But what do these changes look like in practice? For one, the museum has placed heavy emphasis on highlighting the perspectives of indigenous peoples, and allowing people from those communities to curate and tell their own stories. Such is the case for 'Anindilyakwa Arts: Stories from our Country' an exhibition currently on display, which explores the culture and traditions of the Anindilyakwa People or Warnumamalya (true people), the Traditional Owners of the Groote archipelago off the north coast of Australia. This exhibit in particular was designed by and written with Anindilyakwa artists and Elders. In addition to this, in 2023, 174 cultural heritage items were returned by the Manchester Museum to their country, demonstrating an active desire on the part of the museum to right historical wrongs. The choice of venue for the awards was also carefully considered. Last year, the Sybir Memorial Museum won the Council of Europe Museum prize for its contributions to upholding human rights and democratic citizenship. The museum explores the stories of Poles deported to the USSR during the Second World War, and was praised for its ability to bring history to life 'through workshops, events, media, publications, and new formats.' This year's Council of Europe Museum Prize went to the Euskararen Etxea, the House of the Basque Language in Bilbao, Spain. This space, described by the awards committee as 'a unique cultural space dedicated to the Basque language, its history, and the stories of resilience and identity associated with it,' was awarded for its exploration of 'the deep emotions, challenges, and resistance tied to the Basque culture.' While this museum focuses on the history of the minority language used primarily in Spain, it offers exhibits in English, French, Spanish, as well as Basque, making it accessible to a wider variety of visitors. The museum recognised for community engagement was the Alvor Lifeguard Interpretative Centre (CISA) in Portimão, Portugal. Much like the Manchester Museum, CISA places heavy emphasis on people-forward exhibitions, with stories being told by the people they are about. CISA itself focuses on preserving traditional artisanal fishing practices and labour traditions, with many contributions coming from local residents. The Portimão Museum Prize for Welcoming, Inclusion and Belonging, which celebrates a 'friendly atmosphere of inclusion', went to the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, which was recognized for the ways in which it reaches out to young people. The museum boasts an average of 500 young visitors a day, according to the awards committee. Awarded for environmental sustainability was MUZOO, a contemporary Swiss space which invites locals to care for animals to foster conversations about biodiversity. It combines exhibits with interactive experiences that both create environmental dialogue and leave a lasting impression once the visitors leave. Nini Sanadiradze, the former General Director of The Union of Tbilisi Museums, was also honored as an individual for her 'courageous, at times controversial, museum practices that challenge and expand common perceptions of the role and responsibilities of museums in society.' She was also recognized with a medal of honor by the former Georgian president, Salome Zourabichvili, for her 'exceptional dedication to safeguarding and conserving Georgian cultural and historical heritage.' Next year's awards will be held at the Euskararen Etxea in Bilbao. This weekend, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival officially came to a close - with its top prize, the Palme d'Or, being award to the Iranian revenge drama It Was Just an Accident. But beyond the silver screen, the real spectacle was on the red carpet. The Croisette was a catwalk of high drama, with fashion looks stealing the spotlight. It was undeniably the year of the gown - including Elle Fanning and Jennifer Lawrence delivering some show-stopping silhouettes. Meanwhile Pedro Pascal and Alexander Skarsgård gave the internet exactly what it wanted with their respective looks (that's without mentioning the viral kiss they shared after the premiere Pillion). This year also brought a notable shift in dress code: with the ongoing trend of sheer and skin-baring looks, the festival quietly updated its dress code to state that 'nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival.' But that didn't stop Cannes' A-listers from making bold, unforgettable fashion statements. This year's red carpet delivered talking-points, elegance, and plenty of sartorial surprises. Here are 14 of the most standouts looks from the 2025 festival.
