The Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle upon Tyne has been shortlisted for the prestigious Family Friendly Museum Award.
Organised by independent charity Kids in Museums, the Family Friendly Museum Award is the biggest museum award in Britain – and the only one where families decide the winner.
The Great North Museum: Hancock – managed for Newcastle University by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums – joins nine other museums from around the UK on the shortlist for 2017.
Caroline McDonald, Manager at the Great North Museum: Hancock, said:
“We are elated to have been nominated. We are committed to sharing great experiences with all of the families who visit us and are extremely proud of their support in making us part of this award.
“The Great North Museum: Hancock team has worked hard at making our learning programmes innovative and inventive and pushing people’s expectations of what goes on in museums and we are delighted that this is being recognised.”
Professor Eric Cross, Dean of Cultural Affairs at Newcastle University, said:
“Newcastle University is thrilled that the Great North Museum: Hancock has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. It is important to encourage children’s curiosity and exploration of the world around them at the earliest possible age, and the shortlisting is a tribute to the innovative approach of our great team at the museum.”
Over the summer, the shortlisted museums will be road-tested anonymously by families, using the Kids in Museums Mini Manifesto as a guide to their family friendliness.
The eight-point Mini Manifesto sets the benchmark for a great family museum, covering all aspects from programming and outreach to accessibility and customer service.
2016’s Family Friendly Museum Award was won by York Art Gallery. Director Reyahn King described the accolade as “the most important thing that’s happened to York Art Gallery since we reopened.”
The overall winner of the 2017 award will be announced at a ceremony in London in early October.