McCausland congratulates the Ulster Museum on winning Art Fund prize

Culture Minister, Nelson McCausland today congratulated the Ulster Museum on winning the 2010 Art Fund Prize for museums and galleries.

Minister McCausland said: "This prize recognises and stimulates originality and excellence in museums and galleries in the UK and this is the first time a Northern Ireland museum has won such a prestigious prize."

The Minister commented that it was rewarding to see that over 72,000 people including those from Northern Ireland, voted for their favourite museum, and over 40,000 people posted comments, telling the Judges why they think their favourite should win.

The Minister concluded: "My Department has invested approximately £11.7million to the world-class transformation of the Ulster Museum which has proven to be the most talked about experience in Northern Ireland. I congratulate the Museum and all those involved in this competition on their commitment and creativity which has enabled the museum to win this superb award."

Notes to editors:

1. The purpose of The Art Fund Prize for Museums and galleries is to recognise and stimulate originality and excellence in museums and galleries in the UK, and increase public appreciation and enjoyment of all they have to offer.
2. The Art Fund campaigns for adequate public funding for acquisitions and acts as an advocate for museums and galleries across the UK. It spearheaded the campaign for free admission - which culminated in the decision to waive charges at all national museums and galleries in 2001. The Art Fund's sponsorship of this major award, (formerly the Gulbenkian Prize), reflects its continuing nationwide championship and celebration of museums and their visitors.
3. There were four museums chosen by the Judges to form the short list
4. The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford - An ambitious redevelopment of one of the great university museums of the world that extends and enhances public access to its remarkable collections of art and archaeology.
5. Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust - The transformation of a fifty-four acre site, part of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, which interprets life in a typical town of the East Shropshire Coalfield around 1900.
6. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry - A long-established regional museum has been transformed through a major redevelopment which is reaching new audiences and has become a fresh focus for local pride.
7. The Ulster Museum, Belfast - Part of the National Museums Northern Ireland, the Ulster Museum has reopened following a three-year redevelopment that has fundamentally reshaped the character of this major museum
8. The 2012 Judging Panel is: Kirsty Young (Chairman), Kathy Gee, Professor A C Grayling, Professor J Steve Jones, Sally Osman, Lars Tharp, Jonathan Yeo.
9. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office Tel (028) 90 515 047 or email DCAL Press Office
10. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.