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The winner will be announced in June 2026 during the annual conference of the European Museum Forum.
The nominees include museums from 17 European countries, including institutions from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, according to the Romanian publication g4media.ro.
The award evaluates not only collections but also innovation
The European Museum of the Year Award was established in 1977 under the auspices of the Council of Europe. The award recognizes museums that demonstrate excellence in visitor engagement, innovative approaches, educational programs, and contributions to societal development.
Unlike the traditional approach, where the main criteria for evaluating a museum were its collections and the historical value of its exhibits, modern museum awards increasingly take into account an institution’s ability to engage with its audience, utilize digital technologies, and create new formats for interacting with visitors.
Among this year’s nominees are the Museum of Ethnography in Budapest, MUDE—the Design Museum in Lisbon, the CERN Science Gateway in Switzerland, and the Young V&A in London.
Museums in the Republic of Moldova (as well as in Romania) did not make the list of EMYA-2026 nominees. Nevertheless, participation in such European competitions remains one of the tools for the international promotion of cultural institutions and the development of cultural tourism.
Museums are becoming part of the tourism and urban economy
The development of modern museums is gradually extending beyond the cultural sphere. Major museum projects are becoming elements of urban infrastructure, attracting tourists, supporting the development of local businesses, and shaping the international image of regions.
For European cities, museum institutions are becoming part of the strategy for developing tourism and the creative economy. Investments in cultural infrastructure are often linked to the revitalization of urban spaces, the creation of new jobs, and increased regional appeal.
The EMYA-2026 award ceremony will take place in Bilbao on June 13, 2026, as part of the annual conference of the European Museum Forum.
