The Burrell Collection has won the prestigious 2023 Art Fund Museum of the Year prize. The Glasgow-based museum, which houses the 9,000-object collection of Sir William and Constance Burrell, was announced as the winner last night and received the £120,000 prize – the largest museum prize in the world – at a special ceremony at London’s British Museum.
Managed by the charity Glasgow Life, the Burrell Collection was officially reopened by King Charles in October 2022 following a major refurbishment and redisplay, which aimed to celebrate diversity through the museum’s rich and varied collection and create the most accessible, inclusive and sustainable fine and decorative arts museum in the world.
The Burrell Collection has welcomed over 500,000 visitors in the year after its reopening and contributed an economic impact of £20m for Glasgow in its first six months.
Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund and chair of the judges for Art Fund Museum of the Year, said:
“The Burrell Collection is extraordinary – a world-class collection displayed in an inspirational building, in harmony with the surrounding landscape of Pollok country park. Reopened in 2022, the sensitive renovation and collection redisplay invite exploration and delight, with innovative digital displays offering new ways of understanding the art and objects in the museum’s light, welcoming spaces. All this was achieved with a strong shared purpose and with the involvement of local community groups in Glasgow.”
“Huge congratulations to the talented team at the Burrell Collection for winning Art Fund Museum of the Year 2023 and to those who invest in supporting its important work. Thanks to them this museum is truly for everyone to enjoy.”
Mary Beard, historian, broadcaster and judge for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2023, said:
“The Burrell Collection is a treasure trove of objects to discover, with everything from one of the UK’s most important collections of Chinese art, to medieval tapestries and stained glass, and works of art by Rembrandt, Degas and more. They have realised, with real rigour and imagination, the true depth of what it means for a museum to be accessible. I would encourage everyone to go and experience it.”
The winner was one of five finalists. The other shortlisted museums are: Leighton House (London), The MAC (Belfast), Natural History Museum (London) and Scapa Flow Museum (Orkney). Each finalist will receive £15,000. Together with £120,000 received by the winning museum, the total prize money for Art Fund Museum of the Year is £180,000, specially increased for 2023 and beyond to mark the 120 years of Art Fund supporting museums.
Art Fund has also collaborated with Google Arts & Culture to present the last decade of the prize. A new online experience gives an exclusive overview of the shortlisted and winning museums.
Smith Greenfield is an independent insurance broker specialising in insurance for exclusive lifestyles and collectors of valuable objects including: art insurance, antiques insurance, jewellery insurance, watch insurance, vintage car insurance, fine wine insurance and more. To discuss specialist insurance for your lifestyle, please contact our Premier Client Adviser, Imran Moideen, via email imran.moideen@smithgreenfield.co.uk
Image: The Burrell Collection, Museum of the Year finalist, 2023 © Janie Airey Art Fund 2023