Prestigious Award Finalist 2021
4th August 2021
Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre is a finalist for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021!
With a total prize fund of £160,000, Art Fund Museum of the Year is the world’s biggest museum prize. It champions museums and galleries on a national stage, shining the spotlight on the originality and creativity of museums of all kinds and sizes from every part of the UK. The prize celebrates exceptional museums, galleries and historic houses, recognises imaginative work, and inspires more people to engage. Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre is a finalist for the prestigious award because of its outstanding levels of engagement and impact via their digital activity and outreach programme, especially over the last year. As well as innovators and champions of art and culture in Yorkshire, they support groups, individuals and communities right across Barnsley,
targeting resources at those who need it most.
The museum has been built on the generosity of the people of the borough who have donated precious objects and artefacts as well as sharing special stories, all of which are represented in the eclectic galleries. It is the first-ever museum dedicated to Barnsley and its people– representing its past, present and future. Seeing the success, memories, people and places represented in this way has given the people of the borough a huge sense of civic pride.
The free museum is totally unique, telling the story of Barnsley through interesting objects, interactive experiences, sound, film, digital displays, immersive exhibitions as well as lots of opportunities for younger visitors to play and explore.
Based in the iconic Barnsley Town Hall, it offers a wonderful day out in its gallery spaces, shop, family area
and archive service. Everything that is so special about the town is represented – from industry and heritage to sport, science, stars of stage and screen together with a programme of changing exhibitions.
