By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
The Young V&A, renowned as the world's most joyful museum, has secured the 2024 Museum of the Year award. The east London institution, designed for children and young people, will receive a £120,000 prize. The Art Fund charity announced the accolade at a ceremony in the capital on Tuesday.
Previously known as the V&A Museum of Childhood, the Young V&A is a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum. It reopened in July 2023 following a three year, £13 million redevelopment. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised the museum for creating "a unique space dedicated to young people." Jenny Waldman, director of the Art Fund and chair of the judges, echoed this sentiment, describing the museum as "truly inspirational."
Waldman commended the Young V&A for reimagining the museum experience for young people, making it active, empowering, and dynamic, with a focus on learning through play. "You truly are the world’s most joyful museum and will inspire young people now and for generations to come," she added.
Located in Bethnal Green, the museum's building dates back to 1872 and houses over 2,000 objects from 2300BC to the present day across three new galleries Play, Imagine, and Design. The museum includes an open design studio, a game design space for teenagers, and an interactive Minecraft installation. Additionally, it offers a space for temporary exhibitions, with the first, Japan: Myths to Manga, exploring Japanese history and culture.
In its first nine months since reopening, the museum has welcomed more than 590,000 visitors. The Young V&A was one of five finalists for the Museum of the Year award, alongside Craven Museum in Skipton, North Yorkshire Dundee Contemporary Arts Manchester Museum and The National Portrait Gallery in London. Each finalist will receive £15,000. The prize particularly emphasizes community engagement, sustainable practices, and reinvention.
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