Beamish Celebrated as Art Fund Museum of the Year for 2024

Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, has clinched the esteemed Art Fund Museum of the Year award, the world’s largest museum prize.

Judges awarded Beamish a £120,000 prize, praising it as a “joyous, immersive, and unique place shaped by the stories and experiences of its community.”

Located in County Durham, Beamish is marking its 55th anniversary by bringing to life the history of north-east England from the Georgian, Edwardian, and the 1940s and 1950s through engaging exhibits. Visitors can interact with costumed staff and volunteers, experiencing regional narratives that reflect everyday life. The museum is dedicated to preserving local heritage.

The award was presented on Thursday night at a ceremony at the Museum of Liverpool by comedian Phil Wang, who serves as one of the judges. Wang noted, “Beamish is a deserving winner this year. My visit was one of the most fun days I’ve had in years. The staff’s unwavering dedication and the astonishing attention to detail in every aspect truly impressed me. They had to drag me out kicking and screaming!”

Jenny Waldman, director of the Art Fund and head of the judging panel, referred to the museum as “a jewel in the crown of the north-east.” She shared that the judges were amazed by the meticulous detail found in the exhibits spread across a 350-acre site, alongside the enthusiasm of its staff and volunteers. “With three-quarters of adults in the north-east stating that museums instill pride in their community, Beamish exemplifies how museums can enrich and celebrate local culture,” she added.

In 2024, Beamish attracted over 838,630 visitors, solidifying its status as the region’s top attraction. The museum recently completed its “Remaking Beamish” project, which involved the creation of a 1950s town developed with input from the community, engaging over 32,000 local residents, including 14,338 schoolchildren, and accumulating 35,000 volunteer hours to establish 31 new exhibits.

Additionally, the newly opened aged miners’ homes tell the story of pioneering welfare for retired miners in County Durham.

Beamish has garnered acclaim for its exceptional visitor experience, winning both the Travellers’ Choice Award and the National Visitor Welcome Award at the 2024 Museums + Heritage Awards. The museum also offers innovative educational programs that serve 40,000 schoolchildren each year.

Terry Deary, the author of Horrible Histories, recently expressed his admiration for Beamish. In the 1980s, while working as an actor, he frequently brought schoolchildren for educational performances to illustrate the realities of war through vivid stories of soldiers and deserters.

Beamish was one of five finalists for the award, alongside Chapter (Cardiff), Compton Verney (Warwickshire), Golden Thread Gallery (Belfast), and Perth Museum (Perth & Kinross), which will each receive £15,000 for their significant community connections.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized that the award highlights “the extraordinary contribution Beamish has made in celebrating the heritage of the north-east and showcasing it to thousands of visitors each year.”