Towner Art Gallery wins Museum of the Year 2020

Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne, East Sussex is one of five museums and galleries to have shared the coveted title of Museum of the Year title for 2020.

The others are Aberdeen Art Gallery, Gairloch Museum in Scotland, London's Science Museum, South London Gallery and Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Towner gallery was praised for the way it had "redefined its purpose as a free and open community resource and launched a new vision to transform communities through art" despite a funding cut. The judges said they also admired its "genuine commitment to promoting under-represented artists". Director Joe Hill said: "In the current unprecedented circumstances, we are proud to have continued to deliver a wide-ranging programme."

Jenny Waldman, director of the Art Fund, which runs the prize, said the winners were all

"exceptional examples of museums offering inspiration, reflection and joy in the heart of communities".

Museums "can help rebuild our communities and confidence as we emerge from the virus", she said, adding: "But they face financial peril."

The Art Fund said the shake-up was a response to the "unprecedented challenges that all museums face this year".

It's not the only award to be split this year - the Turner Prize was converted to £10,000 bursaries for 10 artists rather than choosing a single winner.


To read more about Towner click here

To read more about the Awards click here