2025 Categories 

With 18 categories to choose from, including the new Visitor Accessibility Award, there are opportunities for everyone.

There are free-to-enter categories, paid-for categories, special nomination awards, some that are open to international entries plus one, the Innovation Award, which is geared up to businesses working in this sector.

All categories apply to projects/organisations based in the UK with the exception of our international categories.

Below, you can view the 2025 category criteria, eligibility dates and fees, where applicable.

It’s quick and easy to enter but make sure you follow our step-by-step How To Enter guide!

ENTER BY 31 JANUARY HERE
FREE! NEW!

Visitor Accessibility Award

Ensuring that museums, galleries, heritage sites, and cultural attractions are fully accessible is not only an ethical and legal obligation; it also enhances our cultural landscape, allowing everyone to engage with and enjoy the experiences offered.

This important new award aims to highlight exemplary initiatives undertaken by organisations to implement a comprehensive approach to visitor accessibility, which removes barriers and increases engagement for Disabled* people. 
 
Your submission should clearly outline the steps you have or are taking to integrate visitor accessibility across your organisation. Capital projects are eligible for entry but equally, you may focus on specific areas/programmes, etc. Either way, it’s essential to demonstrate how these efforts contribute to a long-term, strategic, commitment to accessibility across all aspects of the visitor experience — from online engagement to front-of-house services, facilities, tailored programming, accessible resources and training, etc. 
 
Your application must also illustrate how disabled people have shaped initiatives either through consultation, co-design or detailed feedback. 
 
As with all categories, the size of your organisation will be considered in relation to the scope of the submitted work. 
 
* Our language is informed by the social model of disability, which states that people are disabled by barriers in society rather than an individual medical condition or impairment, but we recognise that applicants may include different language in their applications.  By ‘Disabled People’ we refer to people with any form of impairment who are disabled by society and the multiple barriers they face, including people with a physical, sensory, intellectual, psychological, emotional, age-related or any other hidden impairment(s). We therefore include people with learning difficulties, d/Deaf People, Blind and visually impaired people, mental health system users and survivors, people living with chronic illness and Older People with age-related impairments.
 
IMPORTANT Please ensure you have read the FAQs and T&Cs on the How To Enter page and check the eligibility criteria before proceeding with your entry.
 
Open to UK organisations only
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Volunteer(s) of the Year

Across our sector, volunteers give up their time to help your organisation. They do it willingly, not for reward, but we think we should celebrate their hard work and the contribution they have made during 2024.  

This is your chance to thank your volunteers!

So, if you would like to give a very public show of appreciation to your volunteer(s) simply nominate the individual or team you think most deserving. 

FREE TO ENTER!

Please refer to the How to Enter eligibility section for further details including eligibility information.

Open to UK organisations only

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FREE!

Sustainable Project of the Year

This important award, in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will be made to outstanding environmentally sustainable projects or exhibitions which can demonstrate best practice in your approach to managing or communicating environmental impacts.

Up to two winners will be selected:

1. one which has used simple, affordable and easily-transferable approaches

2. one which is a project with environmental sustainability embedded at its heart

Entries should demonstrate how their project or exhibition has used, for example, energy efficiency measures, green visitor travel planning or unique approaches to engaging audiences with the climate crisis.

Entries should also identify any wider economic, social or environmental benefits to the organisation or community which have arisen from ‘thinking sustainably’.  Capital projects in particular might wish to demonstrate how they deliver against relevant UN Sustainability Goals

As a guide, to see what The National Lottery Heritage Fund expects of the projects it funds, explore its environmental sustainability guidance

Your application must apply to projects which were delivered during 2024.

For inspiration, take a look at these case studies of previous winners:

2024
Scottish Crannog Centre
Roots & Branches

2023
Food Museum
SS Great Britain

FREE TO ENTER!

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.

Open to UK organisations only

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FREE!

Sector Impact Award

Do you know an individual or an organisation driving positive change or innovation in the museums and heritage sector?  Is the work that they’re doing making a real difference? Are they going above and beyond normal expectations of their role or duty to move our sector forward?

We are seeking nominees who have a clear vision for their role in the future of our sector, who may inspire and motivate others and who may be actively working to drive positive change in the years to come.

The judges will look to reward those whose work is enhancing the sector through transformative and collaborative ideas and practices. Impact over a significant period, rather than just a short-term success, is important and consistency in achieving positive outcomes is a crucial criterion.

Nominees who have demonstrated the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to achieve sector-wide improvements will be considered favourably.

You can nominate someone else, or you can make your own evidence-based submission.

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.

Open to UK organisations only

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Team of the Year

This relatively new Award seeks to recognise the work of the teams in your organisation which are not normally forward-facing.

HR, finance, cleaning, grounds maintenance and collections care staff are just a few of the eligible teams carrying out essential work.

The award is intended to celebrate great teamwork which has had a positive impact and which makes a difference in the day-to-day running of your organisation.

The judges will be looking for evidence of consistent good practice, commitment to positive change, collaborative approach and all-around outstanding performance.

This is a chance to show your appreciation for the positive impact that your nominated team has had on your organisation.

What better way to say thank you than to nominate them for Team of the Year?

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.

This important award is brought to you in partnership with Association of Independent Museums (AIM).

Open to UK organisations only

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Visitor Welcome Award

When a visitor arrives at your organisation, they are choosing to come to you rather than going to the cinema, park or shopping centre. You are competing for their leisure time and so a smile and customer-focused service can transform their experience.

This important award seeks to celebrate the greatest visitor experience and the most welcoming atmosphere.

Understanding, knowing, listening and communicating with your visitors is at the heart of this category and, from start to finish, impressions count. Please describe what your organisation has done to ensure that your visitors get the best welcome ever.

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.

Open to UK organisations only

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Permanent Exhibition of the Year

Arguably, this category is the ‘Best Movie’ equivalent! It celebrates the creation of museums or galleries, the redevelopment of existing ones or a new permanent exhibition, within the period of eligibility.

The judges will be looking for evidence of innovative design and interpretation within the project brief and budget. They are seeking thoughtfully designed experiences with effective storytelling throughout that engages, informs, and inspires. 

Particular attention should be paid to the impact the exhibition has had on the overall museum, gallery or heritage attraction as well as to its visitors.

Full consideration will be given to budget in relation to size and scope of the project so please be sure to include all of the *facts and figures*.

All figures and costs are treated in confidence.

For designers and contractors wishing to enter this category, it is imperative that the submission is made with the permission of your client. Where possible, we recommend that the submission is made jointly, with the input of your client.

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.


Open to UK organisations only.  For non-UK exhibitions please refer to the International Exhibition of the Year category.

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Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year

A highly competitive category, the judges will usually reward two temporary or touring exhibitions – one with a budget (ie total delivery costs – see next section) of up to £80,000 and the other for more than £80,000 ex VAT.

Entries for this award should highlight excellence in the creation of a temporary or touring exhibition, designed to be featured within a museum, gallery or heritage attraction. Particular attention should be given to the effectiveness of the exhibition in attracting new and diverse audiences. 

Please be clear about total delivery costs which should cover all core costs for the creation and running of the exhibition for the period relating to the submission: design, implementation and running of the exhibition. There is no need to include employee salaries but you should include external contractors/freelancers/consultants etc fees.  
 
The presentation of your figures is important so that the judges can ensure that they are comparing like with like.
 
For designers and contractors wishing to enter this category, it is imperative that the submission is made with the permission of your client. Where possible, we recommend that the submission is made jointly, with the input of your client.
 
The exhibition must have been open to the public at some point within the period of eligibility ie 2024.
 
Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.
 
Open to UK organisations only
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Shop of the Year

Looking not only at profit but the entire retail operation during the period of eligibility, this award aims to honour the leaders in our sector.

Your shop can be permanent, temporary, online or a combination of all three. In all instances, the judges will be looking for impressive results as well as considering the overall customer experience. Importantly, please also demonstrate how your shop is on brand and how effectively it and its products link to the museum, its collection and its narrative.

In convincing the judges of why you should scoop the Best Shop Award, please provide the following figures: Average Transaction Value; Spend Per Head as well as Turnover, Gross and Net Profit plus percentage increases on the previous year (unless new).

Tell us about your conversion rates – the percentage of visitors buying from your shop and how these have changed in relation to the visitor numbers. 

Please ensure all figures are included in your submission and not just in your Supporting Materials. 

Consideration will be given to the relative size of your organisation.

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.

Open to UK organisations only

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Learning Programme of the Year

The continued and vital work of museum and heritage organisations’ learning colleagues is a lifeline for educators. This award looks at how cultural organisations successfully work to support early learning providers, home learners schools and further education providers, through formal blended physical and/or digital learning resources.

Please be clear about your objectives and define who the beneficiaries of the programme are/were. When describing your work be sure to tell us how you achieved your objectives, placing particular emphasis on the impact it had on teachers and learning audiences including primary, secondary and SEND schools and FE/HE providers.

Please include numbers – explain how many people benefited and what increase in engagement there has been. The judges will also be looking at how programmes are relevant to local audiences as well as supporting local and national strategies.

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.

Open to UK organisations only

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Community Engagement Programme of the Year

This award will be given to the organisation which best connected with those members of its community who face the greatest barriers to engagement, perhaps as a result of socio-economic disadvantage, digital poverty, disability or age.

Tell us how your community engagement work is tailored to meet the needs and interests of specific target groups, to offer wider access to your organisation, its collections and stories.

Ensure you describe the community or communities you were working with and in describing the process of delivery, place particular emphasis on how you overcame any barriers to engagement. Please describe the positive impact that this work has had on your community and provide evidence of outcomes – these could include new and return visits, shifting demographics, development of partnerships, etc. 

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.

Open to UK organisations only

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Marketing + Communications Campaign of the Year

This award will be given for the sector’s most effective marketing or communications campaign or strategy.

This can consist of a sustained campaign or a one-off initiative. Entries can cover events, viral marketing, fundraising campaigns, use of social media, advertising, PR, sponsorship activities etc but must demonstrate creativity and originality, a provable impact and clearly illustrate an effective return on investment.

Be sure to be clear about the impact your strategy has had in terms of visitor numbers, new audiences and/or engagement.

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.

Open to UK organisations only

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Partnership of the Year 

This award will be given to the most innovative and impactful partnership project or programme.

We’re all stronger together!

The Judges will look for partnerships that have achieved something which individual organisations could not have done on their own, and which demonstrates creativity and had a significant impact on people, collections or place.

The project or programme should involve at least one museum, collection or heritage/cultural site or organisation, and one or more additional partners (which may be non-museum or heritage organisations). Particular emphasis should be given to the impact the partnership has had and its lasting legacy.

Please note that your entry must focus on the benefits and strengths of the partnership not on the detail of, for example, an exhibition or event that may have been delivered as a result of your partnership.

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.


Open to UK organisations only

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Best Use of Digital 

The digital transformation continues. Digital storytelling has come to the forefront, proving to be an essential tool for many organisations and the process of using digital technologies to create new – or to modify existing – visitor experiences is ever more important.

The focus of this award is not on the digitisation process itself but on how organisations have used digital innovations to take stories to new audiences.  Examples might include AI, VR/AR, virtual tours, gamification, innovative digital interpretation, commercial partnerships and other new digital experiences either online or in situ.

Entries must demonstrate how you have successfully used your digital offering to reach new audiences, in new and creative ways, as well as using digital tools to enhance other activities such as commercial or learning. Be clear about impact and evaluation and clearly demonstrate why and how your digital project or programme has been successful. 

Consideration will be given to the relative size of your organisation.

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.


Open to UK organisations only but please note there is an International version of this category too.

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Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year

This award will highlight the quality of work undertaken on restoration, repair and conservation projects within the UK.

The category is open to the restoration and conservation of single objects through to entire buildings.
 
Judges will look at how a project has been managed and implemented from conception to completion. Your entry must clearly demonstrate rigorous project and conservation planning and processes.
 
As well as looking at the processes undertaken, the judges will also be looking at how the project has enhanced public access whilst ensuring important historical objects and buildings have been safeguarded for the future.
 
We strongly recommend that you provide  ‘before and after’ photo/video evidence for this category in support of your written entry.
 

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.


Open to UK organisations only

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OPEN TO ALL BUSINESSES

Innovator of the Year

We want to celebrate businesses that are shaking things up! This is a unique opportunity to get your brand, products and services in front of the world’s greatest museums, heritage and cultural visitor attractions.

The possibilities are endless, from new technologies to companies providing the sector with a chance to save time or money, or helping grow audiences and gain new insights.

All products and services were considered, from ground-breaking technology to developments in sustainability, audience tracking, communication, and cataloguing and conservation.

To pitch for the title of Museums + Heritage Innovator of the Year, you must submit a video of up to three minutes in which you must clearly explain why your company and/or products and services are worthy of this title.

The video does not have to be a big production, it could be shot on a smartphone in one take.

Please note that the shortlistees of this category will be put to a sector-wide to determine the winner. 

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.

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INTERNATIONAL

Exhibition of the Year – International

From small but perfectly formed exhibitions to global blockbusters as well as new museums/attractions, submissions are welcome from all but the location must be outside of the UK.

This category relates to both permanent and temporary exhibitions outside the UK.

The judges will be looking for evidence of innovative design and interpretation within the project brief and budget. They are seeking thoughtfully designed experiences with effective storytelling throughout that engages, informs, and inspires. 

Particular attention should be paid to the impact the exhibition has had on the overall museum, gallery or heritage attraction as well as to its new and/or existing visitors.

Full consideration will be given to the budget in relation to the size and scope of the project so please be sure to include all of the facts and figures.

All figures and costs are treated in confidence.

This award category is open to museums, galleries, archives, heritage visitor attractions, organisations, charities and bodies plus their suppliers, contractors and partners. For designers and contractors wishing to enter this category, it is imperative that the submission is made with the permission of your client. Where possible, we recommend that the submission is made jointly, with the input of your client.

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.

Open only to exhibitions outside of the UK only

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INTERNATIONAL

Best Use of Digital – International

The digital transformation continues. Digital storytelling has come to the forefront, proving to be an essential tool for many organisations and the process of using digital technologies to create new – or to modify existing – visitor experiences is ever more important.

The focus of this award is not on the digitisation process itself but on how organisations have used digital innovations to take stories to new audiences.  Examples might include AI, VR/AR, virtual tours, gamification, innovative digital interpretation, commercial partnerships and other new digital experiences either online or in situ.

Entries must demonstrate how you have successfully used your digital offering to reach new audiences, in new and creative ways, as well as using digital tools to enhance other activities such as commercial or learning. Be clear about impact and evaluation and clearly demonstrate why and how your digital project or programme has been successful. 

Consideration will be given to the relative size of your organisation.

Please refer to the How to Enter section for further details including eligibility information.


Open only to projects created outside of the UK

 

 

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