Clean sweep for WAES partners at Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026
All five finalist organisations for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026 are current or recent WAES apprenticeship partners, with The Box, Plymouth crowned the overall winner.
Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) is delighted to congratulate the museums, galleries and cultural organisations recognised in this year’s Art Fund Museum of the Year awards.
The Box, Plymouth was announced as the winner on Thursday 25 June, receiving the world’s largest museum prize. Judges praised its ambitious and welcoming approach, bringing together collections, exhibitions and archives alongside impactful community engagement and a commitment to widening access to culture.
The achievement is particularly significant for WAES as every organisation selected as a finalist for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026 has worked with WAES through apprenticeships, helping to develop specialist skills across museums, galleries, libraries and archives. The finalists were The Box, Plymouth; The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge; The National Gallery, London; Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery; and V&A East Storehouse, London.
Among those contributing to The Box’s success is Kathryn Price, who began the Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager apprenticeship with WAES in 2023 and has since progressed into a permanent Archivist role with the organisation while continuing her studies.
Jenny Pistella, Apprenticeship Manager at WAES, said:
“Congratulations to all the finalists and everyone at The Box on winning Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026. It’s an incredible achievement and a testament to the hard work, passion and commitment of the whole team.”
WAES has supported apprentices at the finalist organisations through a range of specialist programmes, including:
- The Box, Plymouth – Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager apprenticeship
- The Fitzwilliam Museum – Level 3 Cultural Learning and Participation Officer apprenticeship
- The National Gallery – Level 3 Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant apprenticeship
- Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery – Level 3 Museums and Galleries Technician apprenticeship
- V&A – Level 3 Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant apprenticeship
The success of this year’s finalists highlights the value of investing in skills development across the cultural sector. Through apprenticeships, organisations can develop talent, strengthen specialist expertise and create new pathways into careers in museums, galleries, libraries and archives.
